5 Best Defensive Stocks To Watch For 2015

5 Best Defensive Stocks To Watch For 2015: Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc (PTX)

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Pernix), incorporated in November 8, 1996, is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the sales, marketing and development of branded and generic pharmaceutical products for pediatric and adult indications in a range of therapeutic areas. It manages a portfolio of branded and generic products and theobromine, a non-codeine, cough suppressant product candidate in development. The Company's branded products for the pediatrics market include CEDAX, an antibiotic for middle ear infections, NATROBA, a topical treatment for head lice marketed under an exclusive co-promotion agreement with ParaPRO, LLC and a family of prescription treatments for cough and cold (BROVEX, ALDEX and PEDIATEX). It also markets REZYST IM, which is a probiotic blend to promote dietary management. Pernix markets generic products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC. In January 2013, the Company acquired Cypress Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In March 2013, the Company acquired Somaxon Pharmaceuticals Inc. In September 2013, Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. completed the sale of certain non-core assets to Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.

The Company's customers consist of drug wholesalers, retail drug stores, mass merchandisers and grocery store pharmacies in the United States. It primarily sells products directly to drug wholesalers, which in turn distribute the products to retail drug stores, mass merchandisers and grocery store pharmacies.

ALDEX Line

ALDEX is a line of antihistamines, decongestants and cough suppressants that are indicated for the temporary relief of respiratory allergies, allergic rhinitis and symptoms of the common cold. The Company's ALDEX product line is marketed in a range of formulati! ons and combinations using different drug-delivery methodologies to target specific segments of the antihistamine, decongest ant and cough suppressant markets. Two used decongestants ar! e phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine.

BROVEX Line

The BROVEX line is a line of antihistamine combinations with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) brompheniramine maleate, part of the first generation class of antihistamines called alkylamines that are indicated for the temporary relief of sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, and runny nose due to hay fever or other respiratory allergies. Its BROVEX product line is marketed in a range of formulations and combinations to target specific segments of the antihistamine market. The Company completed the conversion of the BROVEX product family to over-the-counter (OTC) monograph from DESI drugs, in April 2011.

CEDAX Line

CEDAX is a third generation oral cephalosporin indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, middle ear infection due to haemophilus influenza or streptococcus pyogenes. The Company sells a range of dosages utilizing both capsule and oral suspension drug delivery methodologies. It also owns a trademark on the name CEDAX in the United States.

NATROBA Line

NATROBA Topical Suspension is a prescription medicine used to treat head lice (pediculosis capitis) in adults and children four years of age and older. NATROBA contains the active ingredient spinosad, which is derived from a naturally occurring soil bacterium.

PEDIATEX Line

As of December 31, 2011, the only product that the Company marketed and sold in its PEDIATEX line is PEDIATEX TD. PEDIATEX TD is an antihistamine/nasal decongestant combination liquid for oral administration. Each 1 milliliter dose contains the API Tripolidine HC1 and Pseudoephedrine HC1. Tripolidine HC1 is a first generation antihistamine in the alkylamine c! lass. Pse! udoephedrine, a decongestant, is a sympathomimetic, which acts on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the mucosa of the respirat ory tract, producing vasoconstriction and having minimal eff! ect on be! ta-receptors. It therefore functions as an oral nasal decongestant with minimal central nervous system stimulation.

REZYST Line

REZYST IM is a probiotic blend that promotes the dietary management of patients with the distinctive nutritional requirements associated with the gastro-intestinal flora. It is formulated to improve the digestive health of patients by replacing the active cultures altered by diet, stress, and antibiotics.

Product Candidates in Development

Product candidates in development include Theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid naturally present in dark chocolate which is an existing human metabolite of caffeine. The Company is working on several other product candidates, which includes a prescription product for the pediatrics market. In March 2012, the Company entered into a product development agreement with a private company for this product.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By John Udovich]

  Since the start of 2014, small cap pharmaceutical stocks Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: ACHN), Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: PTX) and Amicus Therapeutics, Inc (NASDAQ: FOLD) are up 286.3%, 262.3% and 248.1%, respectively, making them some of the best performing pharmaceutical stocks for the year. However, a one year share performance, especially for anything in the volatile biotech or pharmaceutical sector, could be just a one time fluke. With that in mind, here is what you need to know or be warned about all three small cap pharmaceutical stocks:

• [By Roberto Pedone]

   

  Pernix Therapeutics (PTX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets and sells branded and generic pharmaceutical products. This stock closed up 5% to $7.53 in Thursday's trading se! ssion.

   

  Thursday's Range: $7.11-$7.75
  
  52-Week Range: $1.68-$9.56
  
  Thursday's Volume: 396,000
  
  Three-Month Average Volume: 421,860

   

  From a technical perspective, PTX ripped sharply higher here right above some near-term support at $7.10 with decent upside volume. This sharp move to the upside on Thursday is now quickly pushing shares of PTX within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if PTX manages to take out some near-term overhead resistance at $8 with high volume.

   

  Traders should now look for long-biased trades in PTX as long as it's trending above some key near-term support levels at $7.10 or at $6.83 and then once it sustains a move or close above $8 with volume that hits near or above 421,860 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then PTX will set up to re-test or possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $8.93 to $9, or even its 52-week high at $9.56.

   

• [By Michael Douglass and David Williamson]

  Shares of Pernix Therapeutics  (NASDAQ: PTX  ) soared 31% yesterday after the company revealed that it had bought the U.S. rights to GlaxoSmithKline's (NYSE: GSK  ) Treximet (which helps treat migraines in adults) for $250 million upfront (and some potential additional payments later). The importance of this purchase cannot easily be overstate for Pernix -- the company had $85 million in revenue last year, while Treximet on its own brought in $79 million -- and Pernix clearly sees some additional upside potential for the drug, whether it's through a potential indication expansion (to pediatric patients) or through synergies with Pernix's current salesforce.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/5-best-defensive-stocks-to-watch-for-2015.html