New Programs Designed to Speed Up Approval Process a Key Factor in Biotech Industry's Growth in 2012

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 03/07/13 -- Programs developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to speed up the approval process have been a major driver for growth within the Biotech Industry. In 2012, FDA drug approvals totaled a 15-year high of 39, over the past decade drug approvals has averaged roughly 23 a year, according to a recent Bloomberg article. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACHN) and ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIS).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

www.FiveStarEquities.com/ACHN

www.FiveStarEquities.com/ISIS

The FDA's new "breakthrough" product designation allows new drugs to win approval after just a single round of testing, instead of the usual three. A total of three promising experimental medicines have been assigned the new status so far, while an additional 18 drugs have applied. The new designation follows three other programs -- Fast Track, Priority Review and Accelerated Approval -- each of which were designed to help bring crucial new drugs to market in a shorter amount of time.

"A breakthrough drug is one that may offer important new benefits for patients with serious or life-threatening disease who are especially in need of new safe and effective treatments," said Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

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Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. Achillion's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. The Company's focus is currently on developing three clinical candidates for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Isis Pharmaceuticals broad pipeline consists of 28 drugs to treat a wide variety of diseases with an emphasis on cardiovascular, metabolic, severe and rare diseases, and cancer. Isis' partner, Genzyme, is commercializing Isis' lead product, KYNAMRO, in the United States for the treatment of patients with HoFH. Shares of the company have nearly doubled in the past year.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

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