Barry Cohen

Barry Cohen

Health Care Writer

Barry Cohen has nearly 30 years in communications and marketing, the majority in senior positions at three large international health care companies – Abbott Laboratories, Warner-Lambert (now part of Pfizer) and Bayer, Inc.

At Abbott, Cohen was a member of the company’s investor relations team, responsible for preparing all financial analyst presentations. He also oversaw the company’s award-winning annual and quarterly reports and was responsible for both the company’s investor seminar and annual shareholders’ meeting.

After relocating to Arizona, Cohen served as editor of M.D. News, a magazine for Phoenix-area physicians. Later he was a reporter for a weekly newspaper in a north Phoenix, where he specialized in business articles and profiles of local publicly traded companies.

To further his knowledge and understanding of financial markets, Cohen earned a series 7 broker’s license and was employed at Charles Schwab as a registered representative.  He returned to the communications field with CPRi Communications, where he wrote numerous case studies and bylined articles for the company’s clients in the health care information technology industry. Later, he worked for a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based investment bank preparing profiles of companies being offered for sale.

Recent Articles

Overreacting to a Prostate Cancer Drug?

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Medivation shares are soaring on positive test results. But investors may be getting ahead of reality here.

Amylin Gets a Boost From Its Diabetes Drug Approval

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

FDA approval of Bydureon -- a once-a-week injectable drug -- could make Amylin a takeover target for a Big Pharma.

Someone Has to Crunch All That Clinical Trial Data

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

That's where a slew of info-tech companies, ranging from giant Oracle to tiny BioClinica, come in. However, investing is them is no slam dunk.

Small Patient Population? Charge $400K a Year for Your Drug

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Companies like BioMarin Pharmaceutical are cashing in on rare diseases, where they can charge hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for their drugs.

Roche’s Hostile Bid for Illumina Could Reach $60 Per Share

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Swiss health care giant Roche made a hostile bid to buy Illumina for $44.50 per share, but many think that number will be higher when all is said and done.

Do Magic Mushrooms Hold the Key to Treating Depression?

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Controversial British researcher touting use of "magic mushroom" compound psilocybin in treating depression as illegal drugs move further into pharma forefront.

If Novartis’ MS Drug Falters, Biogen Will Gain

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

After the deaths of 11 people who were taking the drug, concerns that Gilenya may cause heart problems has hit NVS hard, ending the stock's months-long upswing.

The Little Guys Are Pharma’s New Stars

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Small and midsize drugmakers are where the action is -- in both research and M&A activity. For healthy dividends, however, Big Pharma still rules.

Despite Connecticut Change on Medicaid, Outlook Strong for Health Insurers

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Connecticut recently dropped private insurers from serving its Medicaid members, but many of the industry's big names are far from worried.

Are Pharma’s ‘Good Old Days’ Gone Forever?

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

You bet they are: Patent losses, a higher bar for FDA approvals, and slew of smaller, nimbler rivals have reshaped the industry.

Merck Is Shopping for Smarts In Hep C

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The pharma giant says it's determined to be the leader in treatments for the disease -- a market that is expected to hit $20 billion by 2020.

Idenix and Achillion Jump on Takeover Talk

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Their hepatitis C drugs could be lures for Big Pharma after a rival gets a juicy offer from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Why Disposing of Stericycle Shares May Be Right Move

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Despite dropping by more than 10% since October, Stericycle shares still have more room below it. But the company does have a few options to reassure investors.

Dendreon Jumps 40% on Provenge Sales

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Dendreon saw its stock jump Thursday as sales of its cancer drug beat the expectations of both analysts and the company itself.

Teva’s New CEO Is Battle-Tested. Good Thing

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Drug industry vet Jeremy Levin earned his stripes making deals for Bristol-Myers Squibb, but he'll face tough going at the generic-drug maker.

Mead Johnson Bounce Followed J&J Script

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Mead Johnson's recent Enfamil scare sent many investors packing -- but those who stuck with the stock could soon be rewarded.

FDA, Insurers Demand Tests for New Drugs

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Pressure on pharmaceutical companies for evidence that their drugs work is fueling a surge in the global market for "companion diagnostics."

2011’s Best and Worst Picks From InvestorPlace’s Barry Cohen

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Barry Cohen discusses some of his picks from 2011 -- and how that will affect his take on companies moving forward.

Walgreen Not Sweating Loss of Express Scripts Customers to CVS — Should It Be?

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

CVS says it could gobble up to 23M prescriptions that Walgreens has sold through Express Scripts if a deal isn't announced. So far, WAG is sticking to its guns.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals Still Might Have Upside

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Ariad Pharmaceuticals is up 120% in the past 12 months, mostly fueled on optimism over its trial leukemia treatment. But some analysts think the ceiling is higher.

Amgen CEO Says ‘I’m Leaving.’ Investors Say ‘Good Riddance’

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

After a decade as CEO, the oft-maligned Kevin Sharer will step down. That's giving shareholders holiday cheer as they bid the stock up on the news.

Researcher: J&J/Pharmacyclics Drug Could Be a Game-Changer

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The experimental cancer drug Johnson & Johnson bought last week is receiving high praise, and could be "paradigm-shifting."

Covidien Follows Abbott With a Pharma Spin-Off

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Could Sanofi, Novartis or GlaxoSmithKline be next to separate pharmaceutical development into a stand-alone company?

Pfizer Delivers Early Holiday Gifts to Shareholders

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The company brings holiday cheer with its new stock repurchase program and dividend boost.

Abbott Labs Spinoff Looks Like the Right Move

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Shareholders would likely be better served by the company's prescription drug business standing alone. Here's why.

Intuitive Surgical Shares Are In the Pink

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Shares have surged as the company continues to be the dominant player in a fast-growing health care sector.

Why Eli Lilly Could Be a Lottery Stock Pick

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

If Eli Lilly is successful in delaying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease with its experimental drug, it could make Lipitor look like a mid-sized product. The odds?

Affymax Shares Hang on an FDA Decision

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Affymax's stock price is swinging wildly as investors await a ruling on the company's promising kidney disease drug.

Investors Still Must Pick Generic Drug Companies By Hand

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The high-risk generic drug sector still is without an ETF, leaving investors to weed out the pharmaceutical winners and losers for themselves.

Growing Medicare Patient Base Could Restore Luster to UnitedHealth Shares

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

UnitedHealth's latest deal is a deft move toward profiting off the growing number of retiring baby boomers.

Onyx Pharma May See Suitors Lining Up

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The company's current and future drugs are likely attractive to larger companies faced with slowing growth.

Ranbaxy Closes In on FDA Approval for Generic Lipitor

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Ranbaxy could sell $650 million worth of the drug in its first 180 days. But Pfizer is battling hard to keep branded Lipitor alive.

Blood-Thinner Drug Race Is Still Wide Open

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The major pharmaceutical companies are hoping to supply the definitive treatments, but the medical community hasn't yet declared a winner.

Merck CEO Pledges Drug Pipeline Will Yield Results in Both Short and Long Term

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier acknowledges company's lagging stock, touts potential of numerous drugs in late development stages.

Pfizer’s Latest Gambit for Keeping Lipitor Alive

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Like a vampire refusing to die, Lipitor keeps on going. Now, PFE has a deal to sell the cholesterol-lowering drug directly to patients at generic cost.

Gilead’s Giant Gamble in Buying Pharmasset

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

The $11B price tag raises the stakes big-time, and critics say Gilead is overpaying to get Pharmasset's promising hepatitis C treatment.

Stocks to Watch on Cancer Vaccines’ Huge Financial Potential

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

These companies are making progress on new therapeutic cancer vaccines -- and success for any one of them could be huge for investors.

Big Pharma’s Emerging ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½s Foray Hits Roadblocks

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Companies are finding plans for global expansion aren't without hiccups.

Bristol-Myers, AstraZeneca Diabetes Drug Gets New Hope

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Cleveland Clinic's positive review revitalizes Bristol-Myers, AstraZeneca's dapagliflozin, an experimental drug taking on a growing diabetes management market.

Sanofi Relies on Shopping to Offset Patent Losses on Key Drugs

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

French drug giant Sanofi (SNY) is counting on mergers and acquisitions to restore profit growth amid a slew of patent expirations.

Pfizer Pushes to Keep Lipitor Profits Flowing

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Efforts to preserve the lucrative cholesterol-drug's franchise have sparked an antitrust suit. But competition is inevitable.

Amylin Stumbles After Lilly Pulls Partnership Plug

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

As Eli Lilly looks elsewhere for a diabetes drug partner, Amylin Pharmaceuticals stumbles. But Lilly is happy as can be. Here's why.

Hepatitis C Drug Progress Puts Several Companies on Acquisition Watch

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

With their hepatitis C drugs showing promise in trials, these drug makers have become attractive targets for bigger pharma players.

Medivation Shares Shoot Up on Prostate Cancer Treatment News

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Medivation (MDVN) gains almost 140% Thursday on encouraging results for its prostate cancer treatment, and Dendreon (DNDN) is further battered.

Why Dendreon Is Aiming Prostate Drug Pitches to Consumers

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Dendreon (DNDN) appears to be pulling out all the stops in an effort to restore at least some of the luster to its prostate cancer treatment Provenge.

Amgen Bids for a Return to Favor

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Amgen's (AMGN) third-quarter earnings, budget management and full-year outlook turn positive, boosting the company's market prospects.

5 Potential Acquisition Targets in Medical Device Stocks

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Big-name med-tech companies are looking to branch out in a $300 billion market. Here are five potential targets that could be swallowed up soon.

Cigna Deal Signals More Insurance Buyouts to Come

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Smaller insurers are catching attention in the wake of expected consolidation.

Amgen Leads Firms In Pancreatic Cancer Drug Chase

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Amgen (Nasdaq:AMGN) is among several pharmaceutical companies working on a treatment for pancreatic cancer, the deadly disease that recently felled both Steve Jobs of Apple…

Big Pharma Might Already Have Sights on Abbott Spinoff

By Barry Cohen, Health Care Writer

Abbott's Humira is a dollar-printing temptation for several companies, but Pfizer's tofacitinib could change the rheumatoid arthritis drug landscape.

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