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Enough top-performing CAPS members have recently moved to the bull side of Cepheid (NASDAQ:CPHD) to upgrade it from its four-star rank to a top-rated five stars. A total of 250 members have given their opinion on the molecular diagnostics firm, with many offering analysis and commentary to explain their recent optimism.
While companies like Sequenom (NASDAQ:SQNM) have a ways to go before commercializing their products, CAPS members take heart in Cepheid's ability to get numerous diagnostic tests approved by the FDA. The company's recent clearance to market its Xpert vanA test marks its ninth test to receive the nod from the FDA. Investors think it has potential for wide use, thanks to its ability to help hospital doctors prevent outbreaks of health-care-associated infections.
The Xpert vanA clearance also follows another recent FDA approval of Cepheid's swine flu test, which can detect the virus in less than an hour. The swine flu pandemic didn't bring home the bacon for companies like GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Novartis (NYSE:NVS), and speculative swine-flu-related stocks like BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:BCRX) and Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) have fallen far from their 52-week highs. But some investors are encouraged by Cepheid's further development of more flu tests beyond the short-term emergency approval of the swine flu test.
Investors see widespread potential for diagnostic tests, a trait shared by other companies like Abbott Labs (NYSE:ABT). Given Cepheid's mix of products and promising pipeline, the bullish sentiment surrounding the company is gaining traction.
Do you think Cepheid deserves its five-star status? Add your thoughts in the comments box below, or head over to CAPS to rate the company and check out all the information and opinions the community offers, absolutely free.
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Fool contributor Dave Mock recently upgraded his medicine cabinet with some new bandaids. He owns no shares of companies mentioned here. Novartis AG is a Global Gains choice. The Fool owns shares of GlaxoSmithKline. The Fool's disclosure policycan spot a fake $20 bill even from across the room.
