The healthcare sector is receiving more attention from the brokerage community now that the healthcare reform law is under review this year. This morning, analysts reviewed the following public healthcare companies and issued their near-term assessments:

Human Genome Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:HGSI): Piper Jaffray lowers Human Genome target from $15 to $11. Piper Jaffray moved estimates lower for Human Genome’s Benlysta sales and dropped its price target.  The firm believes that shares are bottoming out and   maintains an Overweight.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN): Brean Murray raised Regeneron target from $67 to $68. The one dollar bump by Brean Murray  relates to new sales figures based on the initial launch for a wet-AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) treatment, Eyelea.  Sales figures beat expectations, pointing to stronger sales for 2023.  The firm rates Regeneron Outperform.

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAG): Roth Capital says buyAMAG Pharma on weakness. After taking a look at guidance for the fourth quarter and current year, Roth Capital sees AMAG as a takeover target. The firm reiterates a Buy and a target  of $25.

Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:IDIX): Leerink raised Idenix target from $7 to $13. Leerink raised Idenix’s target noting recent Hepatitis C space acquisitions and progress in the company’s pipeline. The firm keeps an Outperform.

Health Management Associates Inc. (NYSE:HMA): Leerink says Health Management guidance is conservative. Leerink feel Health Management is being conservative in new guidance predicting weaker fourth quarter volume, and company plans to record Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act payments. Leerink reiterates an Outperform .

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACHN): Roth Capital raises Achillion target from $10 to $15. Better than expected results for Achillion’s ACH-1625 HCV treatment increases chances someone will acquire the company. The firm thinks Achillion’s takeover price could be higher than the price for Inhibitex (NASDAQ:INHX), and maintains a Buy.

IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPCM): Piper Jaffray lowered IPCM’s target from $49 to $39. Pre-announcement prompted a sell-off yesterday, but Piper Jaffray says the sell-off was overdone and still believes the company has a growth story. The firm maintains an Overweight.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jim Wilkerson at staff.writers@wallstcheatsheet.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Damien Hoffman at editors@wallstcheatsheet.com

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