LONDON, March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Biotechnology companies are expected to face significant challenges in the near future due to rising costs related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Increasing generic competition is also putting pressure on companies' top-line growth. Going forward, the key for companies such as MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ: MNKD), Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA), ZIOPHARM Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIOP), NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: NPSP), and Santarus Inc. (NASDAQ: SNTS) will be to bring new and potential blockbuster drugs to the market. Biotechnology companies will be looking to form collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies as well as academic institutions to develop potential blockbuster drugs. On Thursday, biotechnology stocks ended on a mixed note as the broad market tumbled on concerns over Cyprus's bailout. StockCall has taken an interest in these companies and you can now sign up to download the free technical research on MNKD, ARIA, ZIOP, NPSP, and SNTS at

http://www.stockcall.com/registration

MannKind Corporation shares posted modest gains in trading on Thursday even as the broad market struggled. The stock closed 0.60% higher at $3.37 on volume of 3.40 million. The stock hit an intra-day high of $3.42. MannKind's shares are currently trading close to their 52-week high of $3.67. The stock has had an excellent run so far in 2013, gaining nearly 46%. The stock's MACD chart is indicating that market sentiment has turned bearish on the stock. Sign up today to read the free research report on MNKD at

http://www.StockCall.com/MNKD032213.pdf

Shares of Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. fell sharply in yesterday's trading session, extending their losses from previous trading sessions. On Thursday, the stock ended the day 3.62% lower at $19.71 on above average volume of 3.18 million, taking its losses in the last three sessions to over 7.50%. The biotech company's shares have pared most of their gains for the year as a result of the recent sell-off. Year-to-date, the stock is now up just 2.76%. The stock has also slipped below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, which is a bearish signal. The downbeat trend is further confirmed by the stock's MACD chart. Register to download the free technical analysis on ARIA at

http://www.StockCall.com/ARIA032213.pdf

ZIOPHARM Oncology Inc.'s shares tumbled in trading yesterday, continuing its downward slide. The stock finished 3.56% lower at $5.14 on above average volume of 1.79 million. In the last three sessions, the stock has now fallen nearly 10%. ZIOPHARM's shares have fallen after failing to break through $5.80 resistance level. The stock's MACD has just crossed below the signal line, which is a bearish signal. Free report on ZIOP can be accessed by registering at

http://www.StockCall.com/ZIOP032213.pdf

NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s shares rose sharply even as the broad market slipped on Thursday. The stock continued its excellent run from the previous two trading sessions. The company's shares ended 1.65% higher at $9.84 on volume of 1.66 million, taking their gains in the last three sessions to nearly 9%. Year-to-date, the stock has gained more than 8%. Register with StockCall and download the research on NPSP for free at

http://www.StockCall.com/NPSP032213.pdf

Santarus Inc.'s shares edged higher on Thursday; however, the gains were limited. The stock closed 0.64% higher at $17.27 on volume of 938,032. The stock has gained nearly 4% in the last three trading sessions. The company's shares are currently trading close to their 52-week high of $17.74. The stock has had an excellent run so far in 2013, gaining more than 57%. Santarus' shares have seen a series of highs, which is a bullish signal. Read the full free research on SNTS by signing up to StockCall at

http://www.StockCall.com/SNTS032213.pdf

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