More than a dozen new molecular entities launched for the treatment of cancer in 2012, advancing care for seriously ill people, but many carry price tags of $100,000 per year or more for treatment, escalating debate over cost of care and how best to direct limited healthcare resources.

Two companies in the biopharma space began trading publicly this week, one to pay off debt, the other to fund an early-stage pipeline.

The biotech is shifting gears after clinical hold on its lead drug was unlikely to be lifted, but the early-stage candidate that it's placing its hopes on is raising red flags for analysts and investors.