6/24T9:22 Co. in the News

Companies in the News:

SLW Silver Wheaton to raise up to CDN$136 million through offer to induce early exercise of publicly-traded warrants; names new CFO (13.37 )
Co announces that it has filed a preliminary prospectus in each of the provinces of Canada and a registration statement in the United States to qualify the distribution of approx 3 mln new common share purchase warrants to holders of two of its three series of publicly-traded warrants. If all existing warrants are exercised during the Early Exercise Period, SLW will receive gross proceeds of approx Cdn$136 mln on or before September 5, 2008. SLW also announces that Gary Brown has been appointed CFO of effective July 1, 2008.

ISIS ISIS Pharm and Genzyme complete licensing of mipomersen (14.03 )
The co and Genzyme (GENZ) announce the finalization of the license and collaboration agreement for mipomersen. The collaboration provides Genzyme with exclusive worldwide rights to mipomersen, a novel lipid-lowering drug discovered and developed by Isis that is in phase 3 clinical development. During the second half of this year, enrollment is expected to be completed in a pivotal study of mipomersen in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and a new trial in apheresis-eligible patients is expected to begin. As part of the agreement, Isis will receive a $175 mln license fee for mipomersen. The companies have updated the deal terms so that Isis will contribute up to $50 mln in additional development funding for mipomersen, bringing Isis' development funding commitment up to $125 mln. Thereafter Isis and Genzyme will share development costs equally. The initial Isis development funding commitment and the shared funding will end when the program is profitable. In exchange for this additional contribution, Isis has the opportunity to receive $75 mln in milestone payments early.

Bernanke plays 'dangerous game' balancing rate talk with action - Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com reports Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, by voicing concern about inflation and the slumping dollar, has fanned investor expectations for an interest-rate increase as soon as August. Raising rates may exacerbate the economic slowdown and roil banks whose losses sent their stocks down the most in a decade this month. Forgoing a rate boost next quarter risks damaging the Fed's credibility and deepening its divisions. Already this year, three officials have dissented on rate decisions. While Bernanke's warning that the Fed will "strongly resist'' a jump in inflation expectations led traders to bet on a rate increase, economists are more skeptical. All 101 in a Bloomberg News survey said the Federal Open Market Committee will keep the benchmark rate unchanged tomorrow and most analysts this month predicted officials will stand pat until 2009... The Fed chief shifted stance after soaring costs of energy and imported goods threatened to stoke consumer price expectations.