Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
(
SIAL
) recently announced that Sigma Advanced Genetic Engineering (SAGE)
Labs, an initiative of Sigma Life Science, has extended its
partnership with Autism Speaks to develop the first rat models with
modified autism associated genes to enhance discovery and
translational autism research. Autism Speaks is the biggest autism
science and advocacy organization in the U.S.
Extension of the existing partnership between Sigma and Autism
Speaks was on the heels of some behavioral studies, which revealed
that the first two publicly available gene-knockout rats display
unique characteristics of autism like social deficits and
repetitive behaviors. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be experimented
on animals to better study its cause and treat the individuals
suffering from the disorder.
SAGE labs and Autism Speaks are set to generate genetically
modified rat models of key autism-associated genes, including
CNTNAP2 and MET. CNTNAP2 and MET are knockout rat lines and are
expected to be available in 2013. The expanded collaboration will
ensure that new models are developed and are made available to
speed up the translational research continuum.
Sigma Life Science is the biological products and services arm of
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. Sigma-Aldrich, a life-science and
specialty chemical company, released its second-quarter 2012
earnings last month.
The company posted adjusted earnings of 97 cents per share in
the quarter, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate but ahead of
the year-ago earnings of 93 cents per share. Profit, as reported,
marginally increased to $115 million or 94 cents per share in the
quarter from $113 million or 91 cents a year ago.
Revenues came in at $664 million in the quarter, up 4% year over
year but below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $673 million.
Acquisitions contributed 6% to the growth while foreign exchange
translation had an unfavorable impact of 5%. The company saw growth
across its Research Chemicals and Fine Chemicals ("SAFC")
divisions.
Moving ahead, Sigma-Aldrich expects organic growth to be in
low-to-mid single digits in 2012, down from the earlier expectation
of mid single-digits. Macroeconomic uncertainties may hinder its
Research Chemicals business whereas growth in Bioscience and Hitech
is expected to drive SAFC sales for the remainder of the year. The
acquisitions of BioReliance and Research Organics are expected to
boost sales by 6%.
Sigma-Aldrich currently maintains a Zacks #4 Rank, which
translates into a short-term (1 to 3 months) Sell rating. We have a
long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
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