Since I've received so many positive reader emails about my first installment on biotech investing, I've put together another list of biotech companies that are expected to report major upcoming catalysts in the form of clinical trial data and FDA decisions. Just as I did before, I have put together a list of companies that are expected to be on the move within the next nine months and have a market cap ranging from around $100 million to just beyond $1 billion. Let's get right to it.

Allos Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ALTH) is expected to report phase 3 results sometime in mid-2007 for its "ENRICH" trial of Efaproxyn in patients with brain metastases originating from breast cancer. Interim analyses have not revealed any safety concerns, and a subset analysis from Efaproxyn's first phase 3 trial, called "REACH," showed a significant survival benefit in this patient population. While that initial result is not conclusive proof by itself, it did provide the rationale for conducting the current study. JMP Securities has the most bullish outlook on Allos, with a $12 price objective.

Genitope (NASDAQ:GTOP) released updated information in February on its phase 3 clinical trial using MyVax personalized immunotherapy. MyVax, being used to treat follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has demonstrated a positive trend toward progression-free survival. Previous interim analyses had disappointed investors who were hoping for an early end to this trial so that clinical development could speed up. But now the company says that it expects results from this pivotal trial by year's end. Genitope stock will likely trade in the near term based on the May 15 outcome for Provenge, which is a similar immunotherapy drug candidate.

Sonus (NASDAQ:SNUS) will report phase 3 results for its TOCOSOL formulation of chemotherapy drug Paclitaxel in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in the third quarter of this year. Designed to reduce the side effects of Paclitaxel, this drug should have a good chance at positive trial results, since it's formulated on an existing drug and is meant to be an improvement on it.

Synta (NASDAQ:SNTA) will present full results at this year's ASCO meeting, held in early June, for previously released phase 2b trial data on its experimental melanoma drug. Billed as candidate STA-4783, the drug appears to show a survival benefit in this very hard-to-treat disease and may have potential in a broad range of malignancies. The company has also previously announced that it intends to secure a partnership for at least one of its drug-development candidates by the end of this year.

ThermoGenesis (NASDAQ:KOOL) is waiting on FDA approval for several of its automated systems for the processing of stem cells from umbilical-cord blood, to be used in a variety of medical applications. The company is also on the verge of reaching profitability within the next year. If you're interested in more details on ThermoGenesis, see my article from earlier in the week.

YM Biosciences (AMEX:YMI) will report headline results for the safety and effectiveness of its inhaled fentanyl product, called AeroLEF, in May or June. This product is uniquely formulated to provide both immediate and extended pain relief by inhaled delivery of the opiate fentanyl, which is already marketed in various forms. The drug has a very good chance at success in these trials, since it is already a well known and widely used opiate painkiller.

Keep in mind that this story is not meant to serve as an exhaustive list of all companies in the sector. I purposely excluded the biggest and best-known biotech and big pharma companies. Once again, my goal is to provide readers with a selection of companies that offer good leverage, as a result of their smaller size, and have a major shakeup in the works. We should see some interesting developments from these companies in the weeks to come.

Looking for more Foolish biotech coverage? Check out the Fool's market-beating Rule Breakers newsletter. You can check out all of our recommendations, and get access to our message boards and exclusive content, with a 30-day free trial.

Fool contributor Mike Havrilla, R.Ph., B.S., Pharm.D., is a Rite Aid pharmacist who lives and works in the small Pennsylvania town of Portage. He invites your comments and feedback. Mike does not have a position in any company mentioned in this article. The Fool has a disclosure policy.