Ticker Talk

Biotech fever reached a new level Wednesday after Human Genome Sciences Inc. (HGSI) won a U.S. patent on a human gene linked to production of a receptor that lets the AIDS virus invade cells, sending its shares up $33.25 to $188 on Nasdaq.

The patent allows Human Genome to move ahead with the search for an AIDS drug that would target that receptor. AIDS researchers say several other drug companies already are testing medicines to interfere with receptors.

Other stocks in the sector continued their ascent, with Amgen Inc. (AMGN) rising $4.81 to $69.88, Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MLNM) rallying $42.75 to $260.50, Protein Design Labs Inc. (PDLI) zooming $69.88 to $204.06 and La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (LJPC) leaping $2.25 to $7.56. The Amex biotech index of 15 stocks rocketed 12% to a record, bringing its 12-month gain to 242%. One fund manager offered a simple explanation for the surge: “People are looking for what’s next,” said Leonard Gross of Crimson BioMedical. “And they’ve noticed biotechnology--partly because it has the word ‘technology’ in it.” . . . If you thought shares of TheStreet.com Inc. (TSCM) would get a huge lift after the financial Web site operator confirmed Wednesday that it has hired a consultant to explore a possible sale of the company, you were, well, wrong! The New York firm, best known for its irreverent columnist James (“Wrong!”) Cramer, said it has engaged investment banker Wasserstein Perella Group Inc. to “explore the wide variety of strategic partnerships and other transactions in order to help grow the company.” Since hitting a high of $71.25 soon after its initial public offering in May, TheStreet.com’s stock has tumbled to as low as $14. On Wednesday, the shares gained 81 cents to $16.81 on Nasdaq.