Stem Cells Stocks Slow Down after Yesterday's Big Rally (ASTM, GERN, OPXA, STEM)

Yesterday after the announcement of the approval of 13 new human embryonic stem cell lines shares of StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ:STEM), Opexa Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA) and Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTM) have cooled off following a frenzy of buying.

Opexa Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA) may be down 10% today but since Friday shares are up 38%, same goes for StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ:STEM) shares which are up 25% since last week. Here's a quick look at how those stocks are doing today:

(newsticker.welt.de) StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM) announced today that it welcomes the approval yesterday by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of the first 13 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines for use in NIH-funded research under the NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research adopted in July 2009. The guidelines implement President Obama’s executive order of March 9, 2009 permitting the federal government, through the NIH, to support and conduct responsible, scientifically worthy human stem cell research, including human embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell research holds the potential to advance the understanding of many diseases at a fundamental, cellular level, and may open new avenues for treatments or cures. The Company considers this action by the federal government as a critical first step for the advancement of the stem cell field and for the future practice of medicine.

StemCells is focused on the development and commercialization of cell-based technologies, including technologies relating to embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and tissue-derived (adult) stem cells. In its cellular medicine product development programs, the Company is currently focused on developing tissue-derived (adult) stem cells as cell-based therapeutics. The Company’s lead product candidate, HuCNS-SC® cells (purified human neural stem cells), is in clinical development for the treatment of two fatal neurodegenerative disorders that primarily affect young children.