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After Electro-Optical Sciences (NASDAQ:MELA) spent the past several months at no better than a four-star ranking, enough top-performing CAPS members have become bullish on it recently to upgrade it to the highest possible five stars. A total of 139 members have given their opinion on the medical-devices company, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is often described as a graveyard for drugs because there are few treatments available. While Schering-Plough (NYSE:SGP) seeks approval for one of its drugs and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) has one in clinical trials, many others like Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) have failed in trying to market a treatment in the past. The Food and Drug Administration has put Electro-Optical Sciences' melanoma detection device, called MelaFind, on the fast track, with a decision coming as soon as the end of the year. Test results in February showed that MelaFind found 98% of the detectable melanomas in nearly 1,400 patients, while causing no adverse side effects. General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Siemens manufacture PET/CT scanners for early detection, but Electro-Optical's MelaFind is expected to play a big role in early detection if it is approved.
While other medical-devices companies such as Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) and Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) have established histories and generate healthy revenue, Electro-Optical has no revenue or earnings yet and has relied on equity financing to get by. Some CAPS members write that the company is a speculative play, while some are drawn to MelaFind's potentially huge market and like the device's chances of winning approval.
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Fool contributor Dave Mock is considering upgrading his lawn mower to a goat. He owns shares of Pfizer, which is also an Inside Value recommendation. Intuitive Surgical is a Rule Breakers selection. Amazingly, the Fool's disclosure policy can rattle off more than 1,000 knock-knock jokes.
