By Sarah Roden

As the biotech sector becomes more volatile, analyst Joseph Pantginis of Roth Capital points out that it is increasingly necessary to “focus on names with definitive catalysts.” Though the analyst rates 15 biotech stocks, we have highlighted 5 of them.

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX)

Pantginis highlighted CLDX as one of his “focus picks,” maintaining a Buy rating on the stock with a price target of $43. Pantginis notes that CLDX “remains a leader in the immunotherapy space.” The analyst sees a lot of promise in Rintega, a cancer vaccine which he believes will become the second cancer vaccine to earn U.S. approval. The analyst adds that Celldex’s achievements have been “major contributors to the gradual change of perception with regard to cancer vaccines.” In addition, CLDX is conducting studies on treatments for solid tumors, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer, which Pantginis believes will increase visibility for Celldex.

Pantginis has rated Celldex 9 times since July 2013, earning an 89% success rate recommending the stock with a +53.4% average return per recommendation.

On average, the top analyst consensus for Celldex on TipRanks is Strong Buy.

BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX)

Pantginis maintained a Buy rating on BLRX with a price target of $10.50. Pantginis notes that BLRX has “established itself during 2014 as a company that not only delivers on its clinical development milestones but also executes on the business development front.”  The analyst says the stock “offers an appealing value proposition with multiple milestones expected in 2015” due to three main therapies in its pipeline which target AML, celiac disease, and AMI. Pantginis expects a slew of milestones throughout the end of 2016, from study initiations to study completions.

Pantginis has rated BioLineRx 13 times since July 2014, earning an 84% success rate recommending the stock and a +21.7% average return per recommendation.

On average, the top analyst consensus for BioLineRx on TipRanks is Strong Buy.

Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS)

Pantginis maintained a Buy rating on CRIS with a price target of $6. Pantginis commented that the oncology-focused drug development is currently focusing on proprietary programs in addition to earning royalty-based revenue from Erivedge, an oral hedgehog inhibitor. Curis is in the midst of testing many treatments, such as drugs for multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and solid tumors.

Pantginis has rated Curis 10 times since June 2011, earning a 90% success rate recommending the stock and a +49.8% average return per recommendation.

On average, the top analyst consensus for Curis  on TipRanks is Strong Buy.

GenVec  Inc. (NASDAQ: GNVC)

Pantginis maintained a Buy rating on GNVC with a price target of $8. Pantginis is looking forward to data from CGF166, GenVec’s “lead product candidate” that aims to treat hearing loss and balance disorders. The analyst anticipates safety study results to be available in 2015/2016. The study is being run in partnership with Novartis, which Pantginis notes will “provide the biggest boost to visibility and strong validation for GNVC’s technology.”

Pantginis has rated GenVec 2 times since January 2015, earning a 0% success rate recommending the stock and -12.3% average loss per recommendation.

On average, the top analyst consensus for GenVec on TipRanks is Strong Buy.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: KERX)

Pantginis maintained a Buy rating on KERX with a price target of $27. Keryx focuses on developing treatments for renal diseases and its lead product is Auryxia; a phosphate binder.  Pantginis is optimistic about the “differentiated profile of the drug relative to other phosphate binders, namely the ability to reduce the usage of i.v. iron and ESAs.” Despite many points of trepidation around the product’s launch, Pantginis pointed out “near term milestones and catalysts that could bolster Kerynx’s potential future success,” such as becoming an approved vendor at Da Vita and Fresenius, “which should yield major exposure and access to prescribers.”

Pantginis has rated Keryx 10 times since April 2012, earning a 0% success rate recommending the stock and an average loss of -18.8% per recommendation.

On average, the top analyst consensus for Keryx on TipRanks is Strong Buy.

Joseph Pantginis has a 54% overall success rate recommending stocks and a +10.9% average return per recommendation.

Sarah Roden writes about stock market news. She can be reached at Sarah@tipranks.com​