The San Diego Biotech Survival Index: Local Firms Make Strong Rebound In First Half of 2009

Optimer Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OPTR]])
Cash on hand: $51.2 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Optimer Rides Investment See-Saw With Promising Drug for C.Diff Infections”
Optimer Sharpens Up Commercial Game Plan After C.Diff Drug Success”
Optimer’s Second Drug for Traveler’s Diarrhea Follows Fast Behind Lead C.Diff Antibiotic”
“Optimer Shares Skyrocket As Drug Halts Deadly Bacterial Infection in Trial”

Orexigen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OREX]])
Cash on hand: $46 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Orexigen Aims to Redefine Obesity as Amgen Vet Revamps Company to Compete”
“Orexigen Drug Hits Weight Loss Goal in Studies, Company Looks Toward FDA“
“Orexigen Obesity Drug Produces Modest Weight Loss, Lowers Cardiovascular Risk”

Quidel (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QDEL]])
Cash on hand: $49.4 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Quidel, Pulling Off a Turnaround, Predicts Record Profit on Demand for Flu Tests”

Santarus (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SNTS]])
Cash on hand: $57.5 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Santarus Takes on Marketing Goliaths With Faster Acting Heartburn Drug“
“Santarus Nabs U.S. Rights for Two Drugs in Cosmo Collaboration”

Sequenom (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SQNM]])
Cash on Hand: $69.3 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Sequenom Maintains Tight Lid on Mishandled Data of Key Diagnostic Test“
“Sequenom, Fueled by Blood Test for Down’s, Aims To Be the Google of Molecular Diagnostics“
“Sequenom Blood Test Clears Higher Hurdle, Company Plots Aggressive Moves Toward Market”

To purchase a much expanded version of this report, in PDF format, click the “Add to Cart” button. For $95,* you’ll get an assessment of each company’s financial position at the end of June compared to six months earlier, the projected length of time it can survive on its existing cash reserves, and an analysis of the strategic moves it has made to stay afloat in the current environment. Click here to see a sample entry. *Price is subject to change without notice.

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SOMX]])
Cash on hand: $1.3 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Somaxon Renews Its Insomnia Drug Application, Raises $6m“
“FDA Rejects Somaxon’s Application for Insomnia Drug”

Torrey Pines Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TPTX]])
Cash on hand: $1.2 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Wanted at Torrey Pines Therapeutics: Shareholders Who Vote”

Vical (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VICL]])
Cash on hand: $49 million
Previous Xconomy coverage:
“Vical on Fast Pace With Animal Tests of Prototype Swine Flu Vaccine“
“After Years of Red Ink, Vical Says DNA-Based Vaccines Ready for Prime Time“