Blog of Parag

After watching a report on interference RNA on PBS NOVA show last year, I decided buy stock (RNAI) of SiRNA therapeutics that pioneered research in this exciting new technology. Interference RNA got a lot of press when 2006 Nobel prize for Medicine was awarded to Andrew Fire and Craig Mello, who discovered “RNA interference: gene silencing by double-stranded RNA”.

Sirna has partnered with several companies (GSK, Allergan, etc.) to develop therapies based on interference RNA. They have one therapy in phase II clinical trials and several others getting ready to start clinical trials.

Today, pharmaceutical company, Merck (MRK), annouced that they’ll buy Sirna for $1.1Billion, i.e. $13 per share (~200% profit for me, Ka-ching!!). Glaxo SmithKline (GSK), who is already partnering with Sirna to develope agents for respiratory targets, may make a counter bid to protect their investment. That means more Ka-ching for me and other Sirna stockholders. Ay-Caramba!

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parag Money, Science

Cisco stock (CSCO) has made a big run-up in the last few weeks/months. I am finally in the black. So, decided to sell it off and use that money to buy options for Cisco and Oracle that will be maturing in Jan 2009.

Oracle (ORCL) has been beaten down for a long time. They have made several acquisitions in the last year and are now ready to reap rewards from those. Also, their consulting business is growing and doing well.

If Cisco continues its upward motion for the next year, today’s transactions will turn out to be a good investment decision.

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parag Money