Healthcare Review: Medicines Company, Healthways & Eli Lilly Jump, WellPoint Falls

U.S. stocks rebounded on Wednesday after falling for three straight sessions. Supported by strong results from blue chip companies there were several healthcare stocks which showed unusual moves at mid day on Wednesday

Healthways, Inc. (HWAY) popped up 20% as the company posted better than projected second quarter earnings. The company recorded net income of $5.1 million, or 15 cents a share on revenue of $170.2 million, compared to a year ago profit of $5.8 million, or 17 cents a share on revenue of $169.6 million, ahead of analysts target of 7 cents a share. Moreover, following earnings, analyst at Carroll raised price target on the stock by 30% to $13.

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) surged 3.31% to $43.37 as the company reported impressive second quarter results and boosted its 2012 profit outlook as well. The company reported net income of $924 million, or 83 cents per share, compared to a year ago profit of $1.2 billion, or $1.07 per share. On an adjusted basis, the company earned 83 cents per share, topping analysts' estimates by 6 cents. Global sales of $5.6 billion were in line with Wall Street expectations of $5.59 billion. Lilly said it now expects full-year 2012 earnings of $3.30 to $3.40 per share, excluding special items. It had previously forecast earnings of $3.15 to $3.30 per share. Shares of LLY are up 3.76% to $43.56.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND) began rise and may be set for a technical break out after the firm said its Promacta medicine will receive priority review from U.S. regulators for a new use against blood-related complications of hepatitis C. The Food and Drug Administration aims to complete priority reviews within six months, as opposed the usual 10 months for most drugs. Promacta was originally approved in 2008 for a rare condition called chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, in which the body attacks its own platelets. Promacta was discovered by Ligand and is marketed by London-based GlaxoSmithKline.

WellPoint, Inc. (WLP) slumped 12.41% after the company reduced its profit estimate as it earned less than estimated by the Wall Street. The company now projects to earn $7.30 to $7.40, down from its earlier forecast of at least $7.65 per share, excluding items. Analysts have been looking for $7.76. For the second quarter, the company earned $643.6 million, or $1.94 per share, from $701.6 million or $1.89 per share a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, the company earned $2.04 a share, missing analysts' target of $2.08 a share. Revenue grew 2 percent to $15.17 billion, about $100 million below analyst estimates.

Verisante Technology, Inc. (VRSEF) gained some traction after the firm announced that they have accepted delivery of two initial pre-production units of the Verisante Aura(TM), an innovative skin cancer detection device, from StarFish Medical Inc.  The units will be used for final usability and safety testing before commercial production begins.  The Company is working with Clarion Medical Technologies Inc., in preparing for the product launch in Canada once production begins. The firm is committed to a steady and measured roll out of Aura(TM) into the markets where they are approved to sell their technology and with only a 25.8M Market cap aims to unseat MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELA) 107M Market cap as the leader in the skin cancer detection space.

The Medicines Company (MDCO) added 11.71% to $25.56 after the company's Q2 easily tops estimates this morning. Total revenue rose 13.5% Y/Y on lower SG&A costs and a jump in sales of Angiomax/Angiox international.