3SOF

Head and shoulders.  I [email protected] today.

I thought I saw this chart somewhere in one of my O'neil books.  I may be off. 

Thanks

Jumped to 2.80 on the stem cell news.  Sold at the open. 

watching closely...or might enter...double triple bottom...whatever its got support, not sure but I believe this is the strongest stem cell stock

In the long run this stock is going to be a winner.  I sold it a few weeks ago.  I should have held, but I have enough biotech stocks for now.  It's a keeper, I think.

I like this chart!  ;)

Possible breakout , need confirmation.

I'm tempted to enter today with tight stop.

EliteG , you bought this or no?

I have not bought this yet and worry about this gap up this morning with no news.. be cautious.  If you choose to enter I say wait for a powerful break of 3 or if you are itching for today...as I am... wait for the High before 10am to be broken.  This gives a higher probability(less gamble) that we are headed in the right direction.  20 ema is stop since ASTM is launching from there.  8)

Thanks!

STEM also gap up today and the charts looks nice too.

I'm going to holdoff at this point...waiting for more volume as it crosses 3

Nice pick G.  I am in, do you think this will continue and cross three tomorrow?

chances look good.  I would stop this at 2.70.  When it crosses 3 raise that stop.  Goodluck  ;)

its low was 2.70, hope you set you stop 1cent lower ;) the rebound is bullish but the volume is not less than inspiring.  The market is down and thats why I waited for crazy volume.  Crazy volume doesnt care about Mr. Market...see QOIL

bustin out!  powerful candle lets see if the volume comes in  ;D

CEO coming up on CNBC .. that's driving this latest pop in the last hour.

thx bula, looked at the 5min..it had 1.5 million in one 5 min session...interesting...i'll put it up on the tube

Nice pick ! (applaud)

If it breaks the $2.99 roof, the move should go on ;)

regards !

this play just triggered!

didnt think the ceo said anything great but I guess this is goin up  :)

I´m in @ 3 USd!!

The show begin!!  ;D

Up more than 4% with nice volume , but 3USD seems a big wall to fight!!  :P

Comments??  ???

Thanks.

The late May - mid-June pennant breakout on June 13 put Target $3.14 IN PLAY.  The June 15 high was $3.11 on good volume, then lower volume on Thursday and Friday's pullback, which is bullish.  Overall, the chart looks like it wants to challenge the January, 2005 at $4.30.  For a stop, I'd use a close below the recent pennant low:  $2.53.  Good luck.

I am going in at 2.93.  Any thoughts EliteG?

lots...
http://www.3stocksonfire.org/trading/index.php?topic=638.0

try search feature up top with ticker next time  ;)

its about time this one jumped  ;)

goodtrading

i like ASTM.  anyone else?

Ascending Triangle. About to Break out.
Nearing resistance @ $3.05,decent uptrend the past 8 weeks.
Added to Russell 3000 Index today,might help pop it over resistance.
I like it myself.

I think this primed for a great move.  loaded up on it at 2.96

I saw the nice chart...bought at 3.06.......nice it triggered at 3.12 up to 3.24.....i guess it will rise the next days (all stem cell stock rised nicely the last months (stem, viac)

Bought yesterday at 3.03..nice move up today. :)

Quote from: Melf Elf on June 20, 2005, 11:01:59 AM
The late May - mid-June pennant breakout on June 13 put Target $3.14 IN PLAY.  The June 15 high was $3.11 on good volume, then lower volume on Thursday and Friday's pullback, which is bullish.  Overall, the chart looks like it wants to challenge the January, 2005 at $4.36.  For a stop, I'd use a close below the recent pennant low:  $2.53.  Good luck.

Still looking like it wants to go back to the January high.  With yesterday's new print high for the move, I'd raise the stop to close below the June 23 low of 2.76.

http://ts-lc.sc8.finance.lycos.com/1120135766875?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=NASDAQ:ASTM&Interval=D&Permission=1000&Ht=400&Wd=600&Display=2&Study=&Param1=&Param2=&Param3=&FontSize=10&LocaleID=0x0409

Sorry, you have to use the horizontal scroll bar down at the bottom to see the right side of the chart.  b/o means breakout.

Got a question that I cannot find answer to (if you have time). Vectorvest says ASTM is overvalued. Just how does an that come into play with this evaluation? Or is that taken into consideration at all?

Quote from: Tirebldr on July 03, 2005, 11:18:34 AM
Got a question that I cannot find answer to (if you have time). Vectorvest says ASTM is overvalued. Just how does an that come into play with this evaluation? Or is that taken into consideration at all?

The biotechs always are difficult to value, especially the stem cell stocks, since they are so politically controversial, yet they have such incredible potential.  GERN (Geron), for example, has tons of patents, which could end up being worth a ton of money.  Their GER163 is a telemerase inhibitor drug, and they've had some success with slowing the growth rate of brain cell cancer in their trials with mice.  What is that worth, if successful?!

There's great potential with these companies, but alot of biotech companies also burn through their cash and fail, too, so I rely on the charts.  If there's a huge run-up in these stocks on "news" and speculative excitement without any base-building in the chart, I leave them alone.  If there's a pattern breakout, like the ones on the ASTM chart above, I go ahead and play them.

To answer your question directly, I don't worry about whether or not they have earnings currently, etc.  Besides, with what shareholders have been through with stocks like Enron, Adelphia, Worldcom, Healthsouth, et al, I'm not sure that I believe what they say anyway.  ???

   

anyone could commets on above two? the chart looks good but there is little volume to support. are those stocks strong buy?

I just sold my part in astm. I'd rather use the money to buy something else.

I sold mine three trading days ago. just wondering if i should buy back here. chart looks solid today.

bamboo,i picked up some at $2.52..but I am going to sell  tommorow,,,It looks like it needs to retrace a bit at this point so i would wait ,,just my thoughts on this.

thanks for your inputs. we will see.

big news on stem cells today.

ASTM is up afterhours.......... what about tomorrow ?

any thoughts guys?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050920/ap_on_sc/stem_cells&printer=1;_ylt=Au0bhamSSSBF4IDPqzeQ13pxieAA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

Study: Stem Cells May Repair Cord Damage By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
44 minutes ago



Injections of human stem cells seem to directly repair some of the damage caused by spinal cord injury, according to research that helped partially paralyzed mice walk again.

The experiment, reported Monday, isn't the first to show that stem cells offer tantalizing hope for spinal cord injury — other scientists have helped mice recover, too.

But the new work went an extra step, suggesting the connections that the stem cells form to help bridge the damaged spinal cord are key to recovery.

Surprisingly, they didn't just form new nerve cells. They also formed cells that create the biological insulation that nerve fibers need to communicate. A number of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, involve loss of that insulation, called myelin.

"The actual cells that we transplanted, the human cells, are the ones that are making myelin," explained lead researcher Aileen Anderson of the University of California, Irvine. "We're extremely excited about these cells."

The research is reported in Monday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Stem cells are building blocks that turn into different types of tissue. Embryonic stem cells in particular have made headlines recently, as scientists attempt to harness them to regenerate damaged organs or other body parts. They're essentially a blank slate, able to turn into any tissue given the right biochemical instructions.

But they're not the only type of stem cell. Anderson and colleagues used fetal neural stem cells, a type that are slightly more developed than embryonic stem cells because they're destined to make cells for the central nervous system.

The researchers injured the spinal cords of mice and nine days later injected some with the human neural stem cells.

Four months later, the treated mice could again step normally with their hind paws. Mice given no treatment or an injection with an unrelated cell showed no improvement.

The question was what sparked that improvement. Injections of stem cells might simply stimulate the body to produce some healing factor, or they might directly repair damage themselves.

So Anderson injected the animals with diphtheria toxin, which kills only human cells, not mouse cells. The improvements in walking disappeared, suggesting it was the cells themselves responsible for recovery.

"It was striking," Anderson said.

Finally, the researchers analyzed the actual mouse spinal cords to see what the human stem cells had turned into. The hope was that they would make neurons, or nerve cells, and some did.

But the bulk of the injected stem cells formed oligodendrocytes, a different type of cell that forms myelin, the insulation coating that is key for nerve fibers to transmit the electrical signals they use to communicate.

The toxin step was key to ensuring the transplanted cells themselves are functioning, and all researchers must provide such evidence because different types of stem cells almost certainly will work by different mechanisms in different tissues, said Dr. Doug Kerr, a Johns Hopkins University neurologist who is performing similar spinal cord research with embryonic stem cells.

Much more research must be done before testing stem cells in people with spinal cord injuries, cautioned Anderson. One question is how soon after an injury cells must be administered to have any effect — no one knows how nine days in a mouse's life correlates to the post-injury period for a person. Also, the mice were bred to avoid immune system destruction of the human cells, and suppressing a person's immune system because of similar transplant rejection risk poses big problems.

"The last thing we want to do is take someone who's living a productive life — if confined, we all understand that — and make them worse," said Anderson, who said the work also shows the need to study all types of stem cells. "The exciting part is the potential is there."

The research was funded by the nonprofit Christopher Reeve Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. StemCells Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., provided the fetal-derived stem cells.

Quote from: rocket8 on September 19, 2005, 09:55:32 PM
ASTM is up afterhours.......... what about tomorrow ?

any thoughts guys?

ASTM broke below a H&S top on September 9, so if it gets a big pop higher at the open on this news, it's got tough resistance beginning at 2.63, and all the way up.  I'd avoid it. 

in my opinion there is something wrong with ASTM.

one of the only stamcell stocks that doesnt gain any momentum or profits from the good news lately.

I couldnt find out why that is but maybe someonelse knows.
I would be very carefull with this stock.

gr N

Quote from: Melf Elf on September 20, 2005, 04:19:53 AM
ASTM broke below a H&S top on September 9, so if it gets a big pop higher at the open on this news, it's got tough resistance beginning at 2.63, and all the way up.  I'd avoid it. 

Daniel,

ASTM got a big pop at the open Tuesday morning on the stem cell news, but it was one of those "gap to crap" openings.  The high was 2.60 near the open.

TA didn't 'tell us" that would happen.  The chart simply was a guide to help us.

Take a look at the chart below, and picture each candlestick in the four-month H&S top as a defensive player.  They all are occupying the territory above 2.60, and on the stem cell news on Tuesday, those defenders were kicking off the ball to the September 20 candlestick.  Kicking the ball off to one lone candlestick.

The September 20 candlestick received the ball at 2.57 (the opening price), and it moved the ball forward to 2.60.  Pretending that it's Tuesday morning, and looking at the chart below, do you think that the September 20 candlestick will be able to make much more forward progress into the territory where four months worth of candlesticks (defenders...resistance) are standing, above 2.63, or do you think that the September 20 candlestick is likely to get whacked at that "gap to crap" opening near 2.60?

Niow, don't tell me anymore that you don't understand TA, okay?   ;D

Hi Melf and guys,

I dont own ASTM.  Just was watching it.

I look for stocks with good fundamentals and I am now trying to confirm the time to buy with help from TA.

My problem with ASTM is fundamentals.  They are a development stage company (no revenues), lose over $12m a year, and their valuation is at times above $250m.

-rocket8
 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM has been subject to recent news and the mid term chart looks to be showing signs of a bottom. With todays action ASTM tests double resistance of $2.25 - Both downsloping and horizontal resistance levels.

One concern shown on the chart below is the lack of volume to support a trend change... On the other hand the MACD indicates a new trend may be forming as a "higher low" has been formed. (Divergence)

Should ASTM successfully break the 2.25 level on high volume an immediate 2.70 price target is in play.

This one has about 5 or 6 different threads.
I picked the one with the most info to update.
It's a pick in the stock picking contest,and in the top 10, one of just a few that has a net % green.
May be getting ready to make a run in the contest. Watch out Fousc..... ???
Checked on the contest board,and it was picked by thai626  and is currently in 5th place as listed below.
#5 thai626 ASTM 2.20 9.52% 2.3 4.55%

Quote from: setravis on December 20, 2005, 01:23:53 PM

It's a pick in the stock picking contest,and in the top 10, one of just a few that has a net % green.
May be getting ready to make a run in the contest. Watch out Fousc..... ???
Checked on the contest board,and it was picked by thai626  and is currently in 5th place as listed below.
#5 thai626 ASTM 2.20 9.52% 2.3 4.55%

Hi Setravis,

ASTM has finally broken out of it's downtrend.  This time there was relatively big volume associated with the breakout.  I believe the move up was because George W. signed the cord blood bill that had been hanging for a while now.  What I like most about this stock is that it is uses non-contreversial stem cells for regenerative medicine unlike other stem cell companys.  Once people understands the difference between adult stem cells versus embryonic, I think this stock will have its day in the sun.

Ok.....now for the technicals of the stock.  The stock has been in a major accumulation phase for the past 3 1/2 months or so.  I've been watching this stock for the longest time and just by looking at the way this stock has been trading during the day, I've been thinking that the hedgies are heavily manipulating the price of this stock.

To think that this rise is not even on company relevant news...........I can only imagine what will happen when ASTM releases clincial trial results.  NOTE:  Jaw bone reconstruction results are due by the end of December!! (according to CEO Douglas Armstrong).  I believe patient accruals for future clinical trials are also supposed to complete by years end. 

Anyways, good luck to everyone who's invested in ASTM.  FOUSC............I'm coming for you!! ;D  By the way, does FOUSC stand for "fan of USC"?  Haha......... I doubt it but it's funny since you go to OSU.

Great find setravis and thai626 ! :D

ASTM is THE stock of the day...Buy....;

OMG, I can't believe I'm up at 5:10 am in the west coast just to check the boards and check to see if ASTM jaw bone reconstruction results are out lol.  Anyways, I really can't wait for the open.

Quote from: thai626 on December 20, 2005, 11:14:32 PM

To think that this rise is not even on company relevant news...........I can only imagine what will happen when ASTM releases clincial trial results.  NOTE:  Jaw bone reconstruction results are due by the end of December!! (according to CEO Douglas Armstrong). 

Quote

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051221/new005.html?.v=36

http://finance.yahoo.com/mp#astm

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/051221/astm8-k.html


Here's the line that I really loved.
"Results showed that all 5 patients treated locally with Aastrom's TRCs, exhibited a statistically significant increase in bone height at the 3-month evaluation point, and the cell graft had started to integrate with the surrounding preexisting bone of the upper jaw by 4 months, with no cell-related adverse events"

"Results such as these provide increasing evidence that TRCs can be safely used to regenerate bone in humans whose ability to maintain and repair their skeleton is impaired by disease or trauma," stated Janet M. Hock, B.D.S., Ph.D., Vice President Global Research and Chief Scientific Officer of Aastrom.

FOUSC, good luck to you in the contest.  Hopefully we'll both be top 3.   ;)

Thai

Starting to kick a little in the pre-market...
+5.26%.......Volume @......99,664

Aastrom Biosciences Reports Positive Human Jaw Bone Reconstruction Results from Feasibility Clinical Trial
Related Stocks   
ASTM


-- Results Indicate Company's Tissue Repair Cell Product Safely Builds New Bone for Dental Implants --

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (ASTM - news) announced today the interim results from its feasibility clinical trial conducted with the Teknon Hospital Maxillofacial Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, to evaluate the use of Aastrom's Tissue Repair Cells (TRCs) for maxillary (upper jaw) bone reconstruction in 5 patients, completed to support placement of dental implants. The study results showed clinical safety, and that the TRC treatment sites all exhibited bone growth that was statistically significant and had the desired initial integration with preexisting bone. An internal report of the clinical study, which provides more detailed information, is being filed today on Form 8-K with the SEC. This report may also be accessed on Aastrom's website using the link: http://www.aastrom.com/pdf/Jaw_Barcelona-051220.pdf.

The goal of this proof of concept, internally controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and ability of TRCs -- a proprietary autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell product -- to increase bone height in the posterior maxilla (upper jaw) of 5 patients, who had severe bone loss in the region and minimal residual bone remaining. The patients were judged to have a poor prognosis with previously lost teeth due to periodontal disease and tooth decay, and additional risk factors that are known to compromise bone regeneration and preservation. These risk factors included many years of smoking, osteoporosis and advanced age. The intent of the TRC therapy was to help rebuild healthy bone so that there was enough bone to accommodate the length of the dental implants. A standard bone graft technique was used as an internal concurrent control on the other side of the maxilla.

All of the primary outcomes described by the trial protocol were successfully achieved. Results showed that all 5 patients treated locally with Aastrom's TRCs, exhibited a statistically significant increase in bone height at the 3-month evaluation point, and the cell graft had started to integrate with the surrounding preexisting bone of the upper jaw by 4 months, with no cell-related adverse events. The results were obtained from radiographs, and from biopsies taken at the interface of the original bone and the new tissue. All patients went on to receive 3-4 dental implants on each side of their maxilla.

The study employed an internal concurrent control, in which the patients were treated on one side of the maxilla with the TRC test treatment added to a standard of care procedure, and on the other side with the control standard of care procedure, a mixture of platelet-poor plasma and commercial bone mineral matrix. There was a statistically significant difference in bone formation and quality between test and control sides. Bone height in the grafted area and integration of graft into surrounding bone were increased in the TRC test maxilla, when compared with control sites receiving standard of care treatment. Post-operative bruising and swelling observed at some (3/5) of the control sites, were not observed in the TRC treated maxillae (0/5). This is the second clinical bone graft trial to report that surgical sites treated with TRCs appear to exhibit less inflammation or swelling than sites treated without TRCs.

"Edentulous patients who have lost this much jaw bone can be very difficult to treat," commented Dr. Federico Hernandez-Alfaro, Principal Investigator for the trial. "TRCs may offer an improved treatment over existing therapies because they appear to naturally accelerate integration of new bone with the existing bone in the patient, and increase bone mass for implant placement."

"Results such as these provide increasing evidence that TRCs can be safely used to regenerate bone in humans whose ability to maintain and repair their skeleton is impaired by disease or trauma," stated Janet M. Hock, B.D.S., Ph.D., Vice President Global Research and Chief Scientific Officer of Aastrom. "These early clinical studies explore tissue healing and regeneration in patients with compromised conditions, and teach us what to expect from stem cell therapy, and how to optimize the use of TRCs in clinical situations."

Aastrom is implementing a "proof of concept" clinical plan to evaluate the ability of TRCs to generate three different types of bone: long bone, jaw bone and spine. Trials involving multiple centers in both the U.S. and Europe are actively evaluating TRCs in the repair of severe non-union fractures, where preliminary results have demonstrated both safety and bone growth success. A trial for the regeneration of spine bone (vertebral fusion) has been initiated in the U.S. under a newly approved IND. In addition, the Company is now engaged in a human clinical trial in Germany evaluating the use of its TRCs to treat limb ischemia in diabetic patients through the regeneration of vascular tissue in extremities.

About Tissue Repair Cells

Tissue Repair Cells (TRCs) are Aastrom's proprietary mixture of bone marrow-derived adult stem and progenitor cells produced using patented single- pass perfusion technology in the AastromReplicell(R) System. The clinical procedure begins with the collection of a small sample of bone marrow from the patient's hip in an outpatient setting. TRCs are then produced in the automated AastromReplicell System over a 12-day period. It has been demonstrated in the laboratory that TRCs are able to develop into different types of tissue lineages in response to inductive signals, including blood, bone, cartilage, adipose and vascular tubules. In previous clinical trials, TRCs have been shown to be safe and reliable in regenerating certain normal healthy bone marrow tissues.

Hello everyone,

Recently the CEO Doug Armstrong of Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM) put in a request for them to start looking for a new CEO.  However, in the press release, he also states that he would like to still remain chairman of the board of directors.  Does anyone see the fact that he is stepping down as a positive/negative/neutral?  I'm just curious cause I'm just torn among all three choices.  To me, it could also mean to me that ASTM is on its next stage in the company which is manufacturing and business relations.  What do you all think???   

I would really hate to hear it's negative news because there hasn't been anything negative in the press lately regarding clinical trials, FDA, etc.............In fact, it's the total opposite.  All clinical trial results have been extremely good.  NO debts, burn rate = 1.2 million with close to 30 million in their account right now.



Here's the news release of Armstrong's request.
Aastrom Biosciences Announces Management Succession Process
Wednesday December 28, 9:00 am ET 
-- Long-Term CEO and Chairman to Continue at Board Level --


ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTM - News) today announced that at the request of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D., Aastrom's Board of Directors' Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will initiate a process to identify potential candidates to succeed Dr. Armstrong as Chief Executive Officer, allowing him to transition out of day-to-day management. The transition process is expected to occur during 2006. Upon the naming of a successor to the position of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Armstrong, subject to his reelection by shareholders, intends to remain deeply involved in the Company's business and strategic direction as a member of the Board of Directors, with overall responsibilities determined by the Board at that time.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, R. Douglas Armstrong, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Aastrom said, "Today's announcement is consistent with our goal of providing a long-term leadership succession process for the Company, but more importantly, it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Aastrom's ongoing business evolution. Aastromeffective transition for the new Chief Executive Officer, and then intend to continue to provide strategic direction and to be an available resource for both the management team and the Board."??????   has reached a new stage with our expanded senior management team, our new directors, our ongoing and significant progress in the clinic, and our enhanced operational capabilities. In the near term, I will continue my responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board, with particular focus on ensuring an  Dr. Armstrong has been the Chief Executive Officer of Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. for more than 14 years, and the Chairman of the Board for the past 6 years. During Dr. Armstrong's tenure, he led the Company from the early stages of research and development into product and clinical development. In addition, he led its transition from a private company to a Nasdaq-listed company and its recent emergence as a leading stem cell company in active clinical trials. The Company has successfully shown that its Tissue Repair Cell bone marrow stem cell products can be used safely in patients and have demonstrated their ability to regenerate certain human tissues.

Dr. Armstrong further stated, "Aastrom is entering a new era as we move into and through the clinical, regulatory and market development activities, and establish our manufacturing operations to bring our first-of-its-kind Tissue Repair Cell products into the medical marketplace. I am excited about Aastrom's position and opportunities, and look forward to continuing my role with the Company and the management succession process."

??? ??? ??? ???
I'm holding on to this stock regardless unless they report some real awful news!! :-\

Thai

Time to start watching this one again folks. If it crosses above that BLUE resistance line we could get some fireworks... >:D

Quote from: calven on January 29, 2006, 09:12:37 PM
Time to start watching this one again folks. If it crosses above that BLUE resistance line we could get some fireworks... >:D

You know how much I love this stock Calven.  I can't wait for the day where ASTM breaks the down slopping resistance line.  It's the biggest holding in my portfolio so hopefully this will take off again soon.  Plus, it's my pick the stock picking contest  ;D

calven and thai,

Applause for reminding me of the bigger picture on ASTM.   

After getting to and beyond its 4-year Inverse H&S target last January, it sold off sharply into May.  From there, it has several very nice bullish patterns, but it formed a H&S top over the summer, and broke to the downside in September.

The 1.88-1.90 on calven's chart "could be" a double-bottom, but the chart action on the daily looks pretty uninspiring, and the H&S Top target of 1.68 still is IN PLAY.

:'(

Bigger picture, though, still looks good.  Weekly chart coming up next.

Broke out of a 4-year Inverse H&S and went well beyond the target.  2005 was a year of consolidating that gain in a Symmetrical Triangle formation.

If we get the 1.68 target that is IN PLAY from the H&S top of the daily chart (last post), the Symmetrical Triangle on this weekly chart would morph into a Bullish Falling Wedge, or a Bull Flag/Bull Channel (dotted blue line), back toward the H&S neckline breakout.

That still would look long-term bullish.

Quote from: Melf Elf on January 30, 2006, 02:10:01 AM
calven and thai,

The 1.88-1.90 on calven's chart "could be" a double-bottom, but the chart action on the daily looks pretty uninspiring, and the H&S Top target of 1.68 still is IN PLAY.

:'(

Bigger picture, though, still looks good.  Weekly chart coming up next.

I knew we couldn't sneek the head and shoulders pattern past you Melf Elf.  I saw that too but I didn't want to face the truth.  However, I like the double bottom pattern better so I hope the H&S pattern never plays out.  I would really hate to see ASTM break the 1.90 support.  Good analysis....Keep up the good work!!

Thai

OK, In at 2.15. 

3 million traded the last 2 hours of trading 2.20 AH, I see STEM made a big move too.

Lets see a big run so Thai can win the contest!

Quote from: Melf Elf on January 30, 2006, 02:10:01 AM
The 1.88-1.90 on calven's chart "could be" a double-bottom, but the chart action on the daily looks pretty uninspiring, and the H&S Top target of 1.68 still is IN PLAY.

They tried to hold that 1.88-1.90 support on Wednesday when ASTM reported that Q2 losses widened on lower revenues.  It closed at 1.89, but that support broke on a closing basis on Thursday.

Quote from: thai626 on January 30, 2006, 10:21:17 AM
I knew we couldn't sneek the head and shoulders pattern past you Melf Elf.

Thai,

Unfortunately, they couldn't sneak it past the market, either.  :) 

Friday, they tanked it, and the H&S Top target of 1.68 finally MADE.

Just updating one of my favorite stocks.   ;D

Although there was a recent selloff in ASTM, I think it was an over reaction to ASTM's financial report.   The selloff had no impact on my decision to sell or hold as ASTM is one of my long term plays. 

Clinical trials are still progressing as expected and analysts still have kept their target price of over $4.  I'm looking forward to their next clinical trial results press release as I believe it will be another positive stride for Aastrom. 


IMO, Aastrom has been going through accumulation.  For instance, yesterday's premarket, there was an order for 223,500 shares   :o.  No private investor purchases that many shares at one time........unless they know something that the average investor doesn't.

Here's a short term chart..........I hope it can break out of the resistance this week. 

Thai

P.S.  I would love to hear others perspective on this stock.  Good luck trading all!!

HOLY MACARONI   :o :o :o :o


What the heck happened to ASTM?  Looking at the level II quotes, I saw that huge orders were placed for 1.3 million, 1 million, a few orders over 500k etc.  THIS IS HUGE!!!

Fous.......THE TIME HAS COME MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!  :o :o ;D ;D :D :D


WUHAHAHAH

Check the news on YAHOO. They were granted orphan status for their bone marrow procedure. 13 million shares traded in 15 minutes.

Aastrom gets orphan status for bone marrow drug
Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:32 PM ET
NEW YORK, March 23 (Reuters) - Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (ASTM: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday U.S. regulators have granted orphan drug status to its Tissue Repair Cells bone marrow cell treatment for osteonecrosis, a painful condition in which tissue inside a bone is dying and unable to regenerate itself.

The condition, which usually attacks young male adults, often leads to a need for total hip joint replacement, the company said.

Orphan status is granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for drugs that treat conditions or diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. The designation comes with a seven-year marketing exclusivity period if the drug is approved for sale.  


OK...  Here is my technical chart for ASTM (long term chart).
The first of three hurdles have been successful (medium term resistance)........The second hurdle which is the 200dma is next to come but I would expect that to be tested tomorrow morning.  The third hurdle is the long term resistance line that we could never break in the past.  However, if we break that I think we can be on our way to seeing the $3 - $3.50 range again.  Hopefully, since the news came out so late in the day, that ASTM continues its run in the morning.   ;D ;D :D :D :D

Finally getting back some money on this old dog. I think it hits resistance at $2.50. I may cut my position there and look to reenter on a pullback.

Those Tissue Repair Cells are pretty cool biotechnology.

I think ASTM will make its move up this week to 2.20s.  Let's just hope that it doesn't fall back to the 1.90 because if so, there is no stopping it from hitting the 1.80s.  The recent pps action shows a pennant and the recent doji is a positive going into next week.

hey Thai - I agree with your analysis and added to my position at $2.02 on Thursday for the same reasons.

Wow.......what a bummer!! :-[ :-[ :-[

Thanks to STEMCELLS INC (STEM), ASTM along with the stem cell sector took a hit. 

Although ASTM is trying to seperate itself from being known as a stemcell company, it hasn't achieved its goal as being known as a pure "therapeutic company" which uses stem cells as their base.

When is this horror going to end????   :'( :'(



StemCells to Sell 11.75 Million Shares
Monday April 3, 11:18 am ET 
StemCells to Sell 11.75 Million Shares at $3.05 Per Share


PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) -- Biotech company StemCells Inc. said Monday it agreed to sell about 11.75 million shares to select institutional investors at $3.05 per share.
The company said it expects to use the proceeds of about $33 million for general corporate purposes, such as working capital and product development.

StemCells -- with about 65.4 million shares outstanding -- discovers stem cell-based treatments to diseases of the nervous system, liver and pancreas -- including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Shares fell 42 cents, or 12 percent, to $3.16 in morning trading on the Nasdaq. The stock has traded between $2.59 and $6.58 in the past 52 weeks.


Thai

Maybe everything is not such doom and gloom.... 8)
Looks to have formed a Double Bottom.

Volume: 2,173,016
Avg Vol (3m): 1,874,770

Technicals
Last Price Quote is:
-0.84%below 13-day EMA
1.00%above 50-day EMA
RS Rating: 6 

Fundamentals
Key Data:
Market Cap (M): $206.73 
P/E Ratio: NA 
PEG Ratio: N/A 
Next Earnings: N/A
Last Analyst Rating: Buy

This is a classic example of how TA will not work when the PPS is being manipulated!!

I should have known all along....since history repeats itself that this was going to happen.

ASTM1.67, -0.11, -6.2%) Biosciences slid 6% to $1.67. The stem cell research group said it had executed a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of about 15.9 million shares to a group of institutional investors for $1.60 a share. Aastrom said it expects to raise approximately $25.5 million from the transaction.

Now this this has happened...I feel a little bit more relieved, yet am still angry at the companys management team for letting this happen.  They are too worried about the hedge fund friends and could careless about us private investors.  After every PIPE, Aastroms PPS will take off again. This is all apart of its history and as you know, history will repeat itself again!   >:( :'(

Yeah Thai - ASTM has been an extremely frustrating stock for going on a year now. Just keep loading up I guess. Stem cell hype will make a comeback sooner or later. Even though as you say ASTM is trying to separate itself from being known as a stem cell company, traders think "stem cells" when they think of ASTM.  At the latest I'd expect stem cell stocks to make a run as the 2008 election campaign heats up. Hopefully we won't have to wait that long.

Quote from: thai626 on April 06, 2006, 11:28:41 AM
This is a classic example of how TA will not work when the PPS is being manipulated!!

Thai,

Sorry that happened, but let's take a look at the TA.

In early February, ASTM broke below 10 months worth of trading when it took out 1.88-1.90 support.

Since early February, ASTM formed a six-week "W"-Bottom, the middle of which was 1.87, a penny below that 1.88-1.90 former support, which now is resistance.

The 2.11 target MADE and was exceeded, but here's the problem: the stock has rallied out of a six-week pattern into ten months worth of overhead resistance.  Everyone who bought ASTM above 1.88-1.90 between April, 2005-February 2006 has a paper loss in the stock, and they represent a big overhead supply of sellers, many of whom want out of the stock.

Notice also that after making and exceeding the target,  ASTM already was under selling pressure and had broken back below 1.88-1.90 on April 4, ahead of the news.

Next post, I'll include the last year's worth of trading, to show you what I mean about the overhead supply.

Thai,

As we know, stocks can do whatever they want to, but think of everything above the red line as "the opposing team" against everything below the red line (the six week "W" bottom).

The six-week pattern is "skimpy," trying to go up against all of that resistance.

Sometimes, it works out, like GTE.  GTE started out with a "skimpy" pattern, but it went on to form other bullish patterns, then took off to the upside.

"In general," though, a bullish six-week pattern isn't favored to succeed against 10 months worth of resistance, if you see what I mean.

After the rally to 2.27, "if" ASTM had held at 1.88-1.90 (solid red line), it "could have" done something else bullish, like GTE did.

Breaking back below 1.88-1.90 on April 4 was an indication of weakness.

Just something to watch for in the future...how good is the pattern, and how much resistance is it going up against?

Again, I'm sorry ASTM went down, darn it.   >:(

 

Lucas and Melf,

Here's an example of what I posted in my previous message.  IMO, I think there is a lot of collusion between ASTM management team and the Hedge funds / Institutional investors.  They always tend to lower the price just before they do a private financing.  Isn't it funny how they were granted Orphan Drug status and the next day the stock went down??  IMO, I think that the stock was "shorted" heavily after the quick rise.  That and the fact that they probably knew that STEM was going to do a private financing as which everyone knows will affect ASTMs PPS.  What this private placement allows them to do is cover their short positions just before the run up cause you know that they'll hate to be long on this stock. (if they were a short).

If you look at the past history, ASTMs price shoots up very quickly after a private financing.  I have no doubt in my mind that that will happen again.  The only question is how low will it go before the rise up again?  With the Senate debate (which has been delayed and delayed and delayed) soon to be discusssed in either May or June, I'm guessing it's the best time for ASTM to allow the hedge funds / institutional investors to cover their short positions by this private placement. 

Note that this private placement doesn't close until April 11th, 2006.  The PPS could go a bit lower or maybe it has stabalized at this level.  We'll just have to wait and find out.   :-\


Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 27, 2004 – Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.
(NasdaqSC: ASTM) announced today that it has executed definitive Stock Purchase Agreements for the sale of approximately 8.26 million shares of the Company's common stock in a registered direct placement at a price of $1.21 per share for proceeds of $10 million.  This transaction is expected to be consummated within the next few days.

Rodman & Renshaw, Inc. served as the exclusive placement agent in this transaction.  As part of this transaction, the Company will also issue warrants to the institutional investors, exercisable for 4 years, to purchase up to approximately 2.07 million shares of common stock at a price of $1.74 per share.  These warrants must be held by the investors for at least six months prior to exercise, and if exercised, the warrants could generate up to an additional $3.6 million in proceeds to Aastrom.

Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 10, 2003 – Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NasdaqSC: ASTM) announced today that it has raised a total of $9.5 million at an average price to the Company of $0.96 per share since June 1, 2003 through multiple sales transactions of the Company's common stock.  This series of financings culminated in a final private placement of 5.06 million shares of the Company's common stock for gross proceeds of $4.3 million.

Rodman & Renshaw, Inc. served as the exclusive placement agent in the latest financing that introduced several new institutional investors to Aastrom.  As part of this transaction, the Company will also issue warrants exercisable for 4 years to purchase up to 1.26 million shares of common stock at a price of $1.23, as well as warrants to purchase up to approximately one million shares of common stock at $1.50 per share prior to October 31, 2003.  

Quote from: thai626 on April 07, 2006, 10:48:02 AM
IMO, I think there is a lot of collusion between ASTM management team and the Hedge funds / Institutional investors. I think that the stock was "shorted" heavily after the quick rise.

Thai,

That's a tough one, as far collusion is concerned.  I don't doubt that stuff goes on in some stocks, but if there was heavy shorting in the stock, I'd have to say that it was justified, technically, given that ASTM had rallied into very heavy resistance, above 1.88-1.90.

Quote
I have no doubt in my mind that that will happen again.  The only question is how low will it go before the rise up again? 

Boy, it sure rallied after the two examples that you presented.  I hope that's the case again this time.   Good luck, Thai!

IMO, I think ASTM is a buy at this level.  I do not think that they (MMs) will allow the stock price to fall below 1.50.  The completion of the 15.9 million shares is expected tomorrow.  I will be very interested in finding out what the short shares will be this month.  Hopefully, it'll be somewhat lower than it is now.   :-\

Thai

Thanks Melf for you thoughts!  Appaud!  Great work!

ASTM: Completes $25.5M Reg Direct PIPE: Common @ $1.60/Share
Tuesday , April 11, 2006 19:36 ET

On April 11, 2006 Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. closed its previously announced registered direct offering of 15,943,750 shares of Aastrom's common stock to certain institutional investors at a price of $1.60 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the direct offering were approximately $25.5 million. The net proceeds, after deducting the placement agents' fee and other estimated offering expenses, were approximately $23.8 million.

What a beautiful chart. It's so ugly it's beautiful :'(

- The Bagholder

Quote from: Lucas Scott on April 12, 2006, 03:09:33 AM
What a beautiful chart. It's so ugly it's beautiful :'(

- The Bagholder

Luke,

The chart also is so ugly that one wouldn't suspect, looking at it, that the longer-term picture still looks okay.  I'll show you what I mean in the next post.

Short-to-intermediate term, taking out that attempt at triple bottom, at 1.63, looks lousy.  A snapback rally to there could occur at any time, but then there's much heavier resistance at the 1.88-190 support that got taken out, if the stock can get through 1.63.

ASTM got through 1.88-1.90 in March and rallied to 2.27, but I think that it will have a much more difficult time getting through 1.88-1.90 on any rally here, unless there's some really good news.

Monthly chart coming up.

Luke,

ASTM had a nice Inverse H&S breakout in early 2005, and went well beyond the target, almost to the top of Kumo (Cloud), which was long-term resistance.

Since the top, as awful as the daily chart looks, basis the monthly chart, ASTM has been trading in a bullish-looking Bull Flag or Bullish Falling Wedge formation.  We won't know which, until the fourth data point (the next low) is established.

While I'm not an advocate of "doubling down" (especially in "knife-catching" situations), this is a situation in which I would consider it, if/when ASTM shows evidence that it's found a bottom.

The Kumo (Cloud) now is beneath the stock, offering support, rather than the resistance that it presented at the January, 2005 top.

Additonally, there's "possible" support on a re-test of the neckline from the Inverse H&S pattern.

The Kumo (Cloud) currently is: 1.145 - 1.41
The falling neckline currently is: 1.27

Given the technical damage done to the daily chart, this could take awhile to play out, and this is a monthly chart.  But, I'd watch the daily chart over the coming weeks, for a bottoming formation (base), and technical signs that it's shaping up.

Good luck! I hope that I remember to follow this one.  I like the suggestion in this monthly chart of the current pattern being of bullish continuation of the Inverse H&S breakout.

back to 1.6$  ;D

ASTM is back and so am I!!!   :D ;D

Look for a great week/month for all stem cell stocks. The shorts will be covering very heavily once the senate debate the stem cell issue.  It's also my pick for the stock picking contest............so please go read that post for more info.  Good luck all!

Thai

Appears to have bottomed out............stem news is hot right now........

joe,

ASTM had a tall white candle Friday.  It was up about 13% on 4 times average daily volume, and was among the top percentage gainers, so it might be worth considering for buying a 50% or 61.8% retracement of the white candle if the chart looks alright .

Fundamentals:

1. They reported last week that Q4 losses widened.  >:(  :P

However, the stock didn't sell off much.  1.12 held, which suggests, "We expected the bad news.  It's already in the stock."

2. There was some "promising" news, which prompted Friday's rally in the stock:

Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM : ASTM

shares surged 13% Friday after the company reported "promising" interim results from its Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating tissue repair cells in the treatment of recalcitrant long bone non-union fractures.

Technicals: What does the chart look like?

Long-term picture: BEARISH  :P

1, Broke a Double H&S Top

2. Broke Key Support at 1.88 - 1.90

3. Broke 1.63 support, rallied to 1.57 in July, and failed below the 1.63 resistance.  :(

Next chart is a close-up of 2006, and Friday's tall white candle, but keep that 1.88-1.90 resistance in mind.

1. Last support was 1.63, prior to the 1.10 low. 

Coming off the 1.10 low, did the chart look strong enough to get through 1.63 resistance?  We'd have to say, "No," and it didn't.  The rally failed at 1.57.

2. ASTM now has put in a "W"-Bottom formation (actually, a triple bottom, though, with the 1.10...1.12...1.12 lows), and had a nice, tall white candle on Friday.

Does this current pattern look strong enough to get through 1.63 resistance?  I think we'd have to say, "Yes!"  This is a five-month base, playing for The Bulls, going up against two months worth of 1.63 - 1.87 resistance (February-April), playing for The Bears.

If the "W" Bottom breaks out at 1.58, a penny above the 1.57 middle of the pattern, it would put a target of 2.02 IN PLAY.

Math:

1.57 - Middle of the W-Bottom

1.12 - Low of the pattern (I always use the more conservative number, so not 1.10).

1.57 - 1.12 = 0.45 points

1.57 + 0.45 = Target: 2.02 IN PLAY

Is it reasonable/realistic for that target to get MADE?

Quote from: Melf Elf on September 18, 2006, 05:20:51 AM
but keep that 1.88-1.90 resistance in mind.

That's 13 months worth of resistance, and this would be a rally against the dominant trend (Bearish), so might fall short of the target, but it's a decent base, and certainly could bang it's way through the low end of resistance, and make the 2.02 target if it breaks out.

Buying a Fibonacci Retracement of Friday's Tall white candle:

Math:

The high was 1.3279, so we'll call it 1.33.

The low was 1.14.

A 50% retracement would be 1.235, so we'll round up, for a buy at 1.24.

A 61.8& retracement would be 1.213, so 1.21...1.22, for a buy.

Stop: 1.09

Good risk:reward.  About 1:3, or better, on the 1.24 entry, depending on exit in the high 1.80s...1.90s...or near the 2.02 target.

Quote from: Melf Elf on September 18, 2006, 05:49:14 AM
A 50% retracement would be 1.235, so we'll round up, for a buy at 1.24.

A 61.8& retracement would be 1.213, so 1.21...1.22, for a buy.

Stop: 1.09

There's the 1.23 - 1.24 50% Fribonacci retracement of Friday's tall white candle.  I'll buy ASTM at 1.21, if I can.

Quote from: Melf Elf on September 18, 2006, 02:11:30 PM
I'll buy ASTM at 1.21, if I can.

I thought I might get stopped out on this one, but ASTM has put in a triple-bottom at 1.12, and today, has taken out the 1.33 mid-September high for a W-Bottom breakout, on almost 4X average 100 Day volume.  Nice!

W-BottomTarget: 1.54 is IN PLAY

The high today is 1.38.  ASTM currently is BID 1.36...ASK 1.37

Let's try this again guys!!   ;D

ASTM back in play!! 

News just released today as well.  Looks like the new CEO is cleaning house with his own people.  Janet Hock did a good job while at Aastrom.  Congrats to her!

Ronnda L. Bartel, Ph.D. Joins Aastrom Biosciences as Vice President Research & Development
Monday October 16, 7:00 am ET 
- Appointment Brings Strong Product Development Leadership to Company -


ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTM - News) today announced that Ronnda L. Bartel, Ph.D. has joined the Company as Vice President of Research and Development. Dr. Bartel is responsible for the product development and manufacturing of Aastrom's TRC-based cell products, as well as the Company's discovery and research efforts. Her broad experience and leadership in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, along with experience in the manufacturing and marketing of new cell-based products, strongly support and complement the Company's progress in moving its tissue regeneration products through the commercialization process.
Dr. Bartel is a seasoned scientist with more than 20 years of research and product development experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and device sectors. During this time she held several management positions including: Senior Principal Scientist, Cell Biology at Advanced Tissue Sciences; Vice President, Scientific Development and Senior Director, Stem Cell Development at Stem Cells, Inc.; Senior Director, Science and Technology at SRS Capital, LLC; and, most recently, Executive Director, Biological Research at MicroIslet, Inc. She has also held positions in clinical development, drug delivery, business development and manufacturing. Dr. Bartel holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Kansas, completed postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan and received a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from Tabor College.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Bartel to Aastrom as our new Vice President of Research and Development," said George W. Dunbar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aastrom. "Ronnda's experience in developing cell-based products, as well as establishing and improving manufacturing processes, are essential to our commitment of moving Aastrom's tissue regeneration cell products through the development stage and into the market place. In addition, her clinical, scientific, and management skills will drive our research programs which are necessary to expand our own expertise, and to influence the field of regenerative medicine."

Aastrom also announced that Janet M. Hock, B.D.S., Ph.D., Vice President of Global Research and CSO, has accepted the position as founding Director of the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health, a new program in cancer, genetics and regenerative medicine, supported by Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, in collaboration with Jackson Laboratory and the University of Maine.

Mr. Dunbar concluded, "We appreciate the contributions Dr. Hock has made towards Aastrom's research advancements, and wish her well as she pursues new endeavors in the field of scientific research."

Profile: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a development stage company, focuses on the development of autologous cell products for use in regenerative medicine. The company develops tissue repair cell (TRC) based products for use in multiple therapeutic areas. It intends to pursue TRC-based cell products for various therapeutic areas, such as vascular tissue regeneration, including critical limb ischemia; bone tissue regeneration applications, such as fractures, spine fusion, and osteonecrosis; cardiac tissue regeneration; and neural tissue regeneration. The company is primarily conducting a Phase I/II spine fusion clinical trial in the United States.
Website: http://www.aastrom.com
Market Cap: 162M

Trading Idea:
ASTM has been testing a support @ $1.12 for several months, making this a floor level, a few days ago the stock started to climb, increasing its volume and yesterday it had an interesting breakout of the current pattern.

This is a 100% technical play, probably a risky one, but we expect upside continuation on this chart, up from here we only have the $1.56 resistance level and the $1.25/$1.27 zone (the breakout zone) should provide support in case of pullback.

Trading Plan:
Buy ASTM today and set a stop @ $1.23 for this position

Regards,

Hey, thai...good to see you!  Hopefully, we'll get some play out of this now.

Quote from: Melf Elf on April 12, 2006, 06:42:14 AM
ASTM had a nice Inverse H&S breakout in early 2005, and went well beyond the target, almost to the top of Kumo (Cloud), which was long-term resistance.

Since the top, as awful as the daily chart looks, basis the monthly chart, ASTM has been trading in a bullish-looking Bull Flag or Bullish Falling Wedge formation.  We won't know which, until the fourth data point (the next low) is established.

There's a good chance that we got the fourth data point, at 1.10.

Quote
Additonally, there's "possible" support on a re-test of the neckline from the Inverse H&S pattern.

We didn't quite make it to the neckline, but close.

Quote
Given the technical damage done to the daily chart, this could take awhile to play out,

Yeah, that was some serious technical damage done the chart last winter, on the break of 1.90 support.  It left everyone who bought in 2005 stranded above that level.  :P

Quote
But, I'd watch the daily chart over the coming weeks, for a bottoming formation (base), and technical signs that it's shaping up.

This has a chance.  1.54 is IN PLAY.  The top of this HUGE two-year Falling Wedge comes in this week at about 1.52. 

Quote
I hope that I remember to follow this one.  I like the suggestion in this monthly chart of the current pattern being of bullish continuation of the Inverse H&S breakout.

It still looks that way.

Good luck, my friend!

Update:
ASTM just had a very volatile session, showing a lot of strength during yesterday's morning, but not being able to hold those highs for the rest of the day. Volume was very strong, and we still expect upside continuation.
The trading plan will be:

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.23 and suggested exit near $1.55.

Regards,

Quote from: Melf Elf on September 18, 2006, 02:11:30 PM
I'll buy ASTM at 1.21, if I can.

Sold ½ my position in ASTM at 1.31.  Gain 8.3%.

As much as I like the longer-term possiibilities in this stock, presented above, the last two candles are nasty, and I don't like the close below the 1.33 breakout.

This still could re-test the big Inverse H&S breakout, and it's been a terrible underperformer, so if it comes anywhere near my 1.21 enty, I'll sell the remaining ½ position.

Nice chart Melf!  Applaud!  Good to see you too!    ;D

I really hate the last two trading days for ASTM as well but I agree with you that this could be a great play if one decides to hold longer term.  Usually, I try not to get emotional about a stock but unfortunately that's not the case with ASTM.  I've been an investor with ASTM for quite a while and am not willing to sell unless some really devastating clinical trial results are released.  IMO, everything the company has been doing clinically has been progressing and proven to work. 

However, what I dislike was the way the old CEO was managing the company and all the possible deals he made with VCs.  Although I don't know that for a fact, this is just my own speculation.  I think it'll be soon that this company gets back on track.

Good luck to all shareholders!!  >:D

Thai

Intraday Update:
Interesting price development here, we are testing this rebound's highs, lets see if ASTM follows STEM momentum and breaks out the $1.45 resistance today... that would be really the best sign about being right on this rebound intentions ;)

A proper update will be posted during the weekend.

Regards,

Thai,

It's looking better.  This little Barbarian is at The Gate, champing at the bit for a two-year Falling Wedge breakout.  Given the sharp angle of descent though, it will need to be packing some punch if breaks out, with immeditate resistance overhead at 1.57, then at 1.63.  Resistance at the bottom of the Kumo (Cloud), basis the weekly, chart stands at 1.7175. 

Quote from: Melf Elf on October 18, 2006, 06:53:26 PM
Sold ½ my position in ASTM at 1.31.  Gain 8.3%.

As much as I like the longer-term possiibilities in this stock, presented above, the last two candles are nasty, and I don't like the close below the 1.33 breakout.

That was unfortunate, to get that 1.31 close.  :P 

My trading plan was to sell 50% at the 1.54 target, then let the rest ride, given that the 1.54 target now is above the Falling Wedge breakout.

Since I've got only ½ my position remaining, I'll sell 25% at/near the 1.54 target, and hold the remaining 25%.

Quote
if it comes anywhere near my 1.21 enty, I'll sell the remaining ½ position.

That's still my plan.

Good luck!   ;)

Update:
Like STEM, ASTM had a nice session last Friday, not closing at the highs of the session but showing power and another volume increase... $1.55 is an important resistance for this stock, and that's why we have been a suggesting an exit price near that spot... But temporarily and facing the current bullish setup we'll take out that exit suggestion and just wait for developments, ASTM may be moving along with STEM for higher (than expected) ground, and we'll take a risk.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.23

Regards,

Sold remaining ½ position is ASTM at 1.37.  Gain: 13.2%.  Gain of the trade: 10.7%

Quote from: Melf Elf on October 22, 2006, 04:50:27 AM
Since I've got only ½ my position remaining, I'll sell 25% at/near the 1.54 target, and hold the remaining 25%.

if it comes anywhere near my 1.21 enty, I'll sell the remaining ½ position.

I thought that we'd get the 1.54 today, but the high only was 1.49, then ASTM reversed at resistance and finished on a Dark Cloud Cover that nearly is a Bearish Engulfing pattern.

:P

This still could be okay, but I decided to take the money.

Update:
ASTM also loosing some momentum... We expect a positive reaction at these levels, since $1.33 was the previous relative high before the recent breakout.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.23

Regards,

Update:
ASTM and STEM are doing pretty much the same on the short term consolidation range of each of it charts.
ASTM is holding above the breakout level, showing strength... let's wait.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.23

Regards,

ASTM looking very strong here!!   :P

It's still my favorite of all the stem cell companies although this company isn't really about stem cells.  That's the biggest misperception people have about this company.  Sometimes that's good but sometimes that's BAD!!  But in this case, it's GOOD GOOD GOOD!!!   ;D

Thai

Update:
ASTM just had an incredible breakout with heavy volume, moving ahead of our previous suggested target of $1.55 and making a new relative high...
The $1.50 / $1.55 range should now be a support level in case of consolidation, but taking this chart seriously, ASTM looks like «motivated» for a higher ride...
The next «known resistance» for ASTM is near $2.00, momentum is strong, and we'll be holding it a bit more with this trading plan:

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.35 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Update:

An interesting article about Stem Cell stocks was published on Market Watch:
- Market betting on stem-cell stocks (http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B065E9D4D%2DEDCE%2D4813%2DAEBA%2D9C1CBF7664CF%7D&source=blq%2Fyhoo&dist=yhoo&siteid=yhoo)
Commentary: Election gains for research bakers could boost shares

ASTM had a corrective session after breaking out the resistance, which is normal. The Annual shareholders meeting will be placed tomorrow before the market and will be broadcasted here (http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/8/74588.html): 
We'll keep the same plan for now:

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.35 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Update:
Another corrective session for ASTM, which is still holding above the previous relative highs for this swing. Volume has decreased a bit, which is normal on bullish consolidations. We expect ASTM to hold the current high levels and to have another ride to the upside soon.
The Annual shareholders meeting will be placed today at 9AM before the market and will be broadcasted here (http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/8/74588.html).

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.35 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Update:
Quite a volatile session for ASTM, the stock tested the ascending support level at the lows of the day and was able to close above the breakout level again. The overall technical mood was bullish, let's wait.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.35 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Update:

Press Release:
Webcast Alert: Aastrom Biosciences Announces Its First Quarter Investor Conference Call: (http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061103/20061103005312.html?.v=1)
When?: Thursday, November 9, 2006 @ 11:00 am (EST)

Taking in consideration the magnitude of October's rally, ASTM is holding quite well these recent high prices. The stock has been consolidating near the breakout level, volume is decreasing, which is normal during a bullish consolidation, and the overall bullish pattern looks solid.
The Earnings Conference will be presented next Thursday, I'm not sure if we'll hold ASTM through earnings yet, but I expect some positive price action again before Thursday, till then the trading plan will be the same:

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.35 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Update:
Not a nice session for ASTM, closing below $1.50, and testing the ascending support line. We are just going to upgrade our suggested stop to $1.45 and wait a bit more.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop near $1.45 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Hi Frederick,

I was stopped out yesterday at $ 1,51. As of Friday I decided to put in a raising stop ($0,02 a day) because I wanted to lock in my profits. It's happened a couple of times now that I saw them walk away.

I'm happy with a nice 11%  :) :). Will keep my eye on ASTM. Thanks for the tip!

Amarens

Hi Ramsburg,

Are we holding through the earnings tomorrow (Nov. 9-2006 at 11am)? It is good that
the release is after the market open - there should be a time to place a stop (Ameritrade does not accept after hours stop limits).

Thanks. Berloga.

Quote from: berloga on November 08, 2006, 04:25:34 PM
Hi Ramsburg,

Are we holding through the earnings tomorrow (Nov. 9-2006 at 11am)? It is good that
the release is after the market open - there should be a time to place a stop (Ameritrade does not accept after hours stop limits).

Thanks. Berloga.

Sorry Berloga, I wasn't able to give you a prompt reply because our server was down :-( I'm sorry...  :-\

Update:
ASTM was down again after the conference call, losing all of Tuesday gains, and testing once again the breakout zone.
So far, the technical bullish scenario is still in play, but we are a bit apprehensive at this point. ASTM needs to hold above $1.50 short term in order to accomplish a continuation of the current swing.
We believe our plan still fits this scenario, we may easily be stopped in ASTM, but we must protect some of our profit, so the stop @ $1.45 is still the best way to handle this situation.

Trading Plan:
Hold, with suggested stop at $1.45 and a suggested exit above $1.75

Regards,

Position was closed @ 1.45 following the plan.

I gotta update my baby!   ;)  Although, I'm still losing in this stock right now, I am confident that I'll make my money back.  In fact, it's not really my money to start with since I bought it with the money I made off the stock in Jan 2005.

Anyways, back to ASTM.  2007 is the year for ASTM.  They have many milestones to try to meet. Although they are not yet a profitable company (not for a while), I still think what they do is pretty damn interesting. 

The list of 2007 outlooks are as follows (from email response)
Bone Regeneration

Initiate U.S. pivotal osteonecrosis trial (1H/2007)

Report final U.S. Phase I/II long bone fracture trial results (2H/2007)

Complete EU Phase I/II long bone fracture trial enrollment

Complete U.S. Phase I/II spine fusion trial enrollment

Vascular Regeneration

Initiate U.S. Phase IIb critical limb ischemia trial (1H/2007)

Complete EU Phase I/II critical limb ischemia trial enrollment

Cardiac Regeneration

Initiate Phase I/II pilot cardiac trial (1Q/2007)

Neural Regeneration

Complete preclinical research

Initiate Phase I/II spinal cord injury trial (end of 2007)

I do own ASTM (back when it was in the $4, so I am down quite some).
Looking at your graph. The MCAD is crossing, trend seems to reverse but look at the volume.
It's low. A beginning reversing trend with low volume usually does not hold too long.
(AKAM on the other end, has better chance).

If volume picks up, then price will move much higher.

"ASTM" Threads have been Merged.
Please use the search before starting new threads on a Stock Pick.
Chances are a thread already exist.
So why not post whatever you have to comment about on that pick to that thread.
"Simplicity" My fellow traders.    ;)                 
All history on a stock pick in 1 thread is awesome.    ;)                 
Just trying to get threads together,so we don't have a numerous amount floating around on the same stock.
Thank You....and good luck with all your trades....make some $$$      ;D


Friday's closing chart....... "Happy New Year" !

 

ASTM update:  Big descending wedge breakout at the beginning of Jan on postive stem cell regulaory outlook for 07.  Tested key long term resistance at 1.65, and pulled back.  Support @ 1.31-32 and strong support at 1.22.  Near term resistance @ 1.45-45, then 1.50.  Watch for upside continuation.

ASTM has been consolidating for about 6 months and seems to have broken out today to $1.46 on somewhat higher volume . I am really concerned as my husband has a heavy long term position in this stock.  I don't know how to 'interpret' the long term 2 year chart... Can anyone help me?  Is there hope for this stock?

I really appreciate anyone's help on this one....

Here's one that's a no brainer and certainly one that I really like   :-*  :-*

Last candle shows a G-baby breakout with supporting volume.  Once the 1.65 resistance level is broken.......we're off to new territory.  Hint hint........it starts with 2.xx

It's only a matter of time my friends...........only a matter of time.   ;D

I like it Thai!! Nice!  ;D ;D ;D

WOW WOW WOW!!   ???  ???  ???

This is certainly not the way I was hoping ASTM was going to trade this week!  That goes to show you, you can never be so sure in the stock market.  I wasn't necessarily expecting ASTM to hit 2.00 this week, but I for sure wasn't expecting it to drop this week. 

Only time will tell the story on this one.

yeah, unforunately I jumped in when it gapped up to 1.65 the other day, not a big position, and got stopped out just below 1.50.  I thought this week would be a big week for biotech, but instead it killed me, and I jumped in on a bunch of big losers.  Will keep an eye out and look for support/basing.  Looks like the 50MA and 20MA  may provide some support.

Have moved my cash to other sectors for now, but will keep an eye on things.

Gotta believe the stem cell stocks will have a huge run at some point in the next year or so. The Dems will probably take the White House but, whether they do or not, the run in stem cells will probably come beforehand as investors speculate. Right now, with a close above $1.60 we'll see $2.20. That's a swing I want to trade. Longer term, I think it sees $4 within 18 months. Bookmark this post so you can laugh at me in 18 months if it's at 40 cents :P

FDA Approves Aastrom Phase III IND for Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Patient-Specific Stem Cell Trial to Address Unmet Medical Need

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 7, 2007 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASTM), a regenerative medicine company, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a 120 patient Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of osteonecrosis (also known as avascular necrosis) of the femoral head. Aastrom intends this to be a pivotal trial with the goal of demonstrating clinical safety and efficacy for the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA). In addition, the Company may have to generate further patient data in this indication, such as data from the ongoing pivotal trial in Spain, to support a U.S. BLA submission. Osteonecrosis is a progressive disease, with no established effective treatments, that often leads to a total hip replacement. Aastrom will use its Bone Repair Cell (BRC) product, based on Tissue Repair Cell (TRC) Technology, to evaluate this approach for treating patients suffering from osteonecrosis.

"This is our first Phase III clinical trial focused on tissue regeneration, and it represents a significant step forward for both the Company and the field of regenerative medicine. We are thrilled to report the achievement of this clinical milestone," said George Dunbar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aastrom. "Should the clinical trial results meet our expectations, we intend to seek licensure and take the BRC product to market under our existing Orphan Drug Designation."

Initiation of this clinical trial complements the receipt of an Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA. Orphan drug status is granted to development-stage products that offer potential therapeutic value in the treatment of rare diseases and conditions. The Company may be entitled to several benefits prior to approval, including an expedited FDA review, the reduction or even elimination of filing fees, and the availability of possible tax credits, and will be entitled to seven years of marketing exclusivity once the product receives FDA approval.

This trial will seek to enroll 120 patients, randomized into two patient groups, at up to 20 clinical sites. The planned treatment approach for all patients will include a core decompression surgery where a core track (hole) is drilled into the head of the femur to relieve internal pressure. Patients randomized into the treatment group will have BRCs mixed with a bone matrix carrier placed into the core track, while control patients will receive bone matrix carrier without cells. If healthy bone can be successfully regenerated in the femoral head, we expect the need for a hip replacement could be delayed or eliminated in osteonecrosis patients. The primary efficacy endpoint of this trial is to prevent or delay the progression of osteonecrosis to fracture, and potentially collapse of the femur head, which will be measured by a blinded third-party reviewer through MRI and CT imaging. Patients will be followed for a total of 24 months, post-treatment.

"Osteonecrosis is a pressing medical problem in orthopedic medicine. This disease generally afflicts younger people, and often has a poor prognosis. More than half of the patients progress to debilitating fractures of the femoral head which require a total hip replacement without appropriate treatment, within two years of initial diagnosis," said Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "This trial represents a novel and promising approach aimed at preserving the functional integrity of the hip joint. It could potentially eliminate the need to subject the patient to major surgery."

The tissues involved in osteonecrosis of the femoral head include bone, bone marrow and blood vessels (vascular), complicating the development of effective treatments in the past. Aastrom's TRC-based products, which include a proprietary mixture of stem and progenitor cells derived from a small sample of the patient's own bone marrow, have been used in other clinical trials involving different indications to evaluate regeneration in all three of these tissues. With this capability, the application of TRC Technology may offer a novel means to regenerate the tissues lost due to osteonecrosis.

This study initiation is Aastrom's second clinical trial evaluating the Company's TRC Technology in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. In January, the Company announced it had treated the first two patients in a pivotal clinical trial for osteonecrosis in Spain.

Subject of this thread "Rebound Play" still applies. ASTM always seems to be in need of a rebound. I like it as a January Effect play and could be a good buy right now. The candles the last two days suggest a bottom. But stop out if it prints .56.

Aastrom Biosciences Reports Positive
Data from Compassionate Use Cardiac Patients
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (ASTM) announced encouraging data from
the first two compassionate use patients treated with the Company's
autologous stem cell therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a type
of severe chronic heart failure. Hans Michael Klein, M.D., Professor of
Cardiac Surgery at the Dusseldorf University Hospital in Dusseldorf,
Germany performed the first human application of Aastrom's Cardiac
Repair Cell (CRC) product through direct injection into the heart muscle
during open heart surgery in two patients late in 2007. Due to the
promising results from these first patients using the CRC treatment,
Dr. Klein's clinical activity is ongoing and additional patients are being
evaluated for this treatment. The Company is on track for submission of
a U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a cardiac regeneration
clinical trial using CRCs during 2008. The Company's ultimate
target market for CRCs in the U.S. is 1.8 million no-option heart failure
patients, which includes patients suffering from DCM.

Indie Research
Stem Cell Enthusiasm Grows; The Pros Like Cytori
Tuesday January 27, 9:35 am ET
By the tickerspy.com Staff


There has long been a lot of hype surrounding the embryonic stem cell industry. Proponents of the therapy believe that the embryonic cells hold great promise, but advances have been stymied by rules put in place by the Bush administration.


Recently, however, biotech stocks focusing on stem cell research have surged higher on speculation that the Obama administration may soon lift stem cell restrictions. In addition, stem cell leader Geron (Nasdaq: GERN) received approval last week from the FDA to begin human trials on an embryonic stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injuries. It will be the first human trial for stem cell therapy. Add it all up, and investors are suddenly interested in stem cell stocks again.

Because stem cell therapy is still such a young and unproven field, only a few Pro investors have exposure to the handful of stem cell pure plays. Among them is investment advisor P.R. Herzig, where portfolio managers describe themselves as "careful opportunists" and "contrarians by nature," according to the company website. At the end of Q3, the firm held a stake in Geron. A list of the other stocks among Herzig's top holdings is available at tickerspy.com.

Meanwhile, three Pro investors counted Cytori Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CYTX) among their top top-15, U.S.-listed equity holdings. Cytori makes devices that extract tissue and separate out stem cells.

tickerspy members are tracking stem cell stocks as well. The most popular stem cell stock among tickerspy members is StemCells (Nasdaq: STEM). Also popular are Aastrom Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASTM), Osiris (Nasdaq: OSIR), Neuralstem (AMEX: CUR), ThermoGenesis (Nasdaq: KOOL), Pluristem Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PSTI), and Opexa Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OPXA).

Pro portfolio performance is based on institutions' top-15 holdings as disclosed in quarter-end filings with the SEC. Pro performance does not take into account additional holdings beyond the top 15 nor does it include positions that are not required to be disclosed by the SEC. As such, Pro portfolio performance should be considered an approximation and not a precise record of how an institution has performed over time.

Fun and informative, tickerspy.com is a free investing website where you can track multiple stock portfolios, find and share the latest news about the companies you follow, and discuss stocks with other like-minded investors. Best of all, tickerspy.com lets you spy on the portfolios of nearly 3,000 Wall Street institutions and hedge funds and see graphs of their performance. Try tickerspy.com today and find out how you stack up against investing legends like Warren Buffett!

This is a biotech with a nice pipeline at a 30+% discount.
Rising out of oversold.

Day's Range: 2.26 - 2.43
52wk Range: 1.32 - 4.45
Volume: 2,443,933
Avg Vol (3m): 2,069,570
Market Cap: 68.65M
P/E (ttm): N/A
EPS (ttm): -0.74
Div & Yield: N/A (N/A)

Technicals
Percentage Gainer

Last Price Quote is:
-3.92%below 13-day EMA
-0.75%below 50-day EMA
RS Rating: 94 

Hot companies in this sector: ACTC,CBAI,ASTM,GERN,SPEX,ISCO,NBS,CCEL,STEM