LONDON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The expiration of patents on several blockbuster drugs has been one of the major trends in the biotechnology sector in the last few years. As major pharmaceutical companies face increasing generic competition following patent expirations, they are likely to see a negative impact on their top-line. Big pharmaceutical companies have been looking to boost their product pipeline to offset the impact of the patent cliff. Another trend that could emerge as a result of this development is acquisitions. Big pharma companies may look to acquire smaller biotechnology companies that are developing potential blockbuster drugs. Companies such as Sequenom Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), Peregrine Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: PPHM), Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ONXX), and Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSEAMEX: INO) could be among the ideal takeover targets for major pharmaceutical companies. On Wednesday, biotech stocks ended on a mixed note even as the Dow Jones posted its ninth successive higher finish. StockCall has posted free technical research reports on SQNM, PPHM, ONXX, and INO and these can be accessed by signing up at

http://www.stockcall.com/analysis

Sequenom Inc. shares posted modest gains on Wednesday, closing 0.45% higher at $4.48. The stock touched an intra-day high of $4.51, and has gained nearly 4% this week. Despite the recent gains, the biotech company's shares have fallen nearly 5% this year, even as the broad market has posted significant gains for the year. The company's shares have been struggling to break through $4.60 resistance level. The stock has just moved above its 50-day moving average, though, which is a bullish signal. The stock's MACD has also crossed above the zero-line, which further confirms the positive trend. Download the free report on SQNM upon registration at

http://www.StockCall.com/SQNM031413.pdf

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals shares saw a sharp decline in Wednesday's session as investors digested the company's quarterly results. The stock closed 6.33% lower at $1.48 after touching an intra-day low of $1.43. The company's shares are down more than 10% for the week. Despite the recent losses, the stock has outperformed the broad market this year. Year-to-date, Peregrine's shares have gained over 12% as compared to a jump of 9% for the S&P 500. The MACD chart for PPHM is giving bearish signal at the moment. The stock is also trading below its 50-day moving average. PPHM technical report can be accessed for free by signing up at

http://www.StockCall.com/PPHM031413.pdf

Although Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. shares edged lower in trading yesterday, losses were limited. The stock ended the day 0.61% lower at $87.29 after falling to an intra-day low of $88.55. Onyx's shares are up nearly 2% for the week, despite Wednesday's pullback. The stock has had an excellent run so far this year, gaining more than 15%. The company's shares have seen a series of highs over the last few trading sessions, which is a bullish signal. The upbeat trend is confirmed by recent volume activity. The free report on ONXX can be downloaded by signing up now at

http://www.StockCall.com/ONXX031413.pdf

Shares of Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. gained in the previous trading session, closing 0.43% higher at $0.540 on above average volume of 2.99 million yesterday. Inovio's shares had fallen sharply last week; however, the stock has bottomed out at around $0.525. Free report on INO can be accessed by registering at

http://www.StockCall.com/INO031413.pdf

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