Volume Spike Investor

Monday is looking like a SWINE FLU speculative flu stock stock bonanza. The two approved drug treatments, not vaccines, which are being released are Tamiflu made by Roche (OTC: RHHBY) and Relenza made by GlaxoSmithkline (NYSE: GSK).   Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) gets royalties from Roche for Tamiflu, and its shares are indicated north of $48.00 after a $45.80 close on Friday.

There is a second-tier level of stocks here: BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BCRX) was up big Friday as it is a maker of drugs that block key enzymes in viral diseases like the flu, shares are indicated over $3.00 after a $2.21 close on Friday.  Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) is another clinical stage company using its virus-like particle platform technology for flu treatments; stock is indicated north of $2.50 after closing up some 75% at $1.42 Friday.

And here is the third-tier of these stocks: Generex Biotechnology Corp. (GNBT) is being passed around as a penny stock flu player with shares indicated around $0.40 after closing up 25% at almost $0.34 Friday.  Vical Inc. (VICL) closed up 3% Friday at $2.53 and shares are indicated up around $3.00.  AVI Biopharma, Inc. (AVII) rose over 20% to $0.89 Friday and shares are indicated up marginally as a result.  Crucell NV (CRXL) has a faster way of making flu vaccines. This closed up 1% on Friday and is hardly moving.

As a reminder, these huge gap ups generally have a one day to multi-day move with each move usually being less than the first.  As with issues such as SARS and bird flu, the world did not end and it was only the SARS scare which actually caused real damage.  You can probably bet that you will be hearing “squeal like a pig!” jokes.

JON C. OGG (7:01 AM EST)