Is Dendreon Done?

Updated

Biotech investing can be a cruel mistress, as best-in-class treatment status and momentum behind a stock can suddenly evaporate. As if Dendreon (NAS: DNDN) investors needed anything else to worry about after a botched launch for prostate-cancer treatment Provenge hammered shares, a new and powerful competitor is emerging. Johnson & Johnson's (NYS: JNJ) Zytiga is already on the market, and a recent trial to make it a first-line treatment and compete head-to-head with Provenge was unblinded -- a good sign that it is working.

Is Dendreon doomed to be crushed under the monolithic weight of J&J or additional competitors lining up on the horizon? Or does the scrappy biotech still have an fighting chance? Watch the video and find out.

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At the time thisarticle was published David Williamsonowns shares of Johnson & Johnson and Dendreon, but he holds no other position in any company mentioned.Click hereto see his holdings and a short bio.The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson, Exelixis, and Dendreon.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Johnson & Johnson and Exelixis; and creating a diagonal call position in Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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