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Marijuana is still federally illegal in the U.S. -- but that isn't stopping the industry from growing. Currently, 11 states plus Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana, while 33 states and D.C. have legalized medical use.

Two of the biggest healthcare giants in the world didn't take very long to jump into the COVID-19 testing waters. Both Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT) and Roche (OTC: RHHBY) quickly launched diagnostic tests for the novel coronavirus soon after the pandemic hit.

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The stock market has recovered about two-thirds of the value it lost in the historic, coronavirus-induced plunge it took in late February and early March, leaving many investors with a case of whiplash and wondering how they missed the buying opportunities that were created as t

Facing economic uncertainties or prolonged downturns, investors typically seek the safe haven of defensive stocks. Large multinational pharmaceutical companies fall into this category. Illness does not know or care about economic conditions, causing individuals to seek treatment

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(RTTNews) - Leadership of Communications Workers of America District 9 has notified AT&T that CWA-represented employees have voted to ratify the West wireline agreement.

(RTTNews) - Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Cyramza, in combination with erlotinib, for the first-line treatment of people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 1

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What happened A pair of marijuana stocks, Tilray (NASDAQ: TLRY) and OrganiGram Holdings (NASDAQ: OGI), both dropped notably in price on Friday (by 5.2% and 7%, respectively).

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Biotechs on a tear have been a theme in 2020. Most have taken off on the hope of solving the COVID-19 vaccine or treatment conundrum. While not all have shared in the COVID related bounty, others have soared based on the premise of bringing to market other necessary solutions.

Which brings us to Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA). Year-to-date shares are up by 69%, as investors have hopes for the immune disease focused company’s pipeline.

So does Stifel’s Derek Archila. That said, the analyst believes a different company’s recent strong trial data bodes well for Momenta.

On Monday, Argenx SE announced positive results from its Phase 3 study for efgartigimod in myasthenia gravis (MG), an incurable chronic neuromuscular disease. 67.7% of those suffering from the condition achieved improvements in the daily lives after being treated with efgartigimod.

Why is this good news for Momenta? Because the biotech has its own MG treatment in the pipeline, nipocalimab, currently in a phase 2 trial.

Archila said, “We believe the results further validate the anti-FcRn mechanism in MG and increase the probability that nipocalimab will demonstrate positive results in its Phase 2 study expected to read out in the coming weeks.”

Furthermore, Archila argues that Momenta’s offering might have the edge as of all the anti-FcRn therapies in progress, nipocalimab has exhibited the largest reduction in IgG which could “enable it to potentially demonstrate deeper and/or more durable responses on MG-ADL which could lead to better durability/dosing flexibility than efgartigimod.”

Archila’s gives a 55% probability of success for nipocalimab in MG and argues its possible use cases are currently under the Street’s radar.

“We believe nipocalimab's broad potential across multiple IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases remains underappreciated by investors, and we think the risk/reward ahead of data is highly favorable (+85% upside in bull case/-25% downside in our bear case from current levels),” the analyst concluded.

Unsurprisingly, Archila maintains a Buy on MNTA shares, though has no price target in mind. (To watch Archila’s track record, click here)

Over the past 3 months, 3 other analysts have chipped in with a view on the biotech’s prospects -2 saying Buy while the other recommends a Hold. These analysts expect about 21% addition to the current share price, should the $38 average price target be met over the next 12 months. (To watch Archila's track record, click here)

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