With the biotech sector tumbling since the end of last year and through the first quarter, the earnings picture so far looks quite mixed. Several biotech companies have reported first-quarter 2016 results by now. While biotech major Amgen Inc. AMGN topped first-quarter earnings and revenues and even raised the outlook for the year, another prominent biotech name Gilead lagged both earnings and revenue estimates even though it reiterated its outlook for the year. As far as other biotech stocks are concerned, including the likes of Biogen, Celgene and Alexion, while some managed to post mixed results, others came up with disappointing results and outlook for the year. But the game is not yet over with several biotech companies still to report first-quarter results and it’s to be seen whether they can manage to lift the spirit of investors with earnings beats and strategic plans. Notably, the Medical sector is anticipated to be one of the seven sectors to record earnings growth in the first quarter of 2016, as per our Earnings Trends report. Let’s see what awaits these six biotech stocks when they report their first-quarter 2016 results this week. Investors interested will be eagerly watching for beats and misses.Will These Biotech Stocks Surprise? Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. IONS, scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 4, has a mixed track record with the company beating expectations on two occasions while missing on the other two. Though Ionis has a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), an Earnings ESP of 0.00% makes a surprise prediction difficult. Ionis’ agreements with leading health care companies like Glaxo and Biogen among others continue to validate its antisense technology and provide the company with funds in the form of upfront, milestone and other payments. Focus will be on the company’s progress with late-stage pipeline candidates (read more: What's Up at Ionis Pharmaceuticals in Q1 Earnings?). Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated LGND has been seen to consistently beat earnings expectations. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% thereby making it difficult to predict an earnings beat when it reports its first-quarter results on May 4. Ligand generates revenues in the form of royalties, license and milestone payments and sale of Captisol material. First-quarter royalties should be driven by strong growth of key partnered assets, Promacta and Kyprolis. Moreover, the Jan 2016 OMT acquisition will drive results as it is expected to be immediately accretive (read more: Ligand Q1 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?). Being a development-stage company, Endocyte, Inc. ECYT does not have any approved product in its portfolio. In this scenario, investor focus will be on pipeline development when the company reports its first-quarter results on May 4. Endocyte has a pretty good track record with the company having beaten estimates in three of the last four reported quarters. Though Endocyte’s Zacks Rank #2 increases the predictive power of the ESP, the company’s 0.00% ESP makes a surprise prediction difficult yet again (read more: Endocyte: What Awaits the Stock in Q1 Earnings?). Development-stage company, Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.’s CLDX track record has been pretty good with the company consistently beating estimates. However, Celldex’s Zacks Rank #3 when combined with an ESP 0.00% makes it difficult to predict a beat. The company is expected to report first-quarter results on May 4. Considering that the company announced its intention to discontinue a late-stage study in patients with newly diagnosed EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma on its lead pipeline candidate, Rintega, all focus will be on the company’s plans for the development of the candidate (read more: Celldex: What's Ahead for the Stock in Q1 Earnings?). New York-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s REGN eye drug, Eylea, should continue to remain the key growth driver contributing significantly to the top line. However, seasonality and weather could dampen the drug’s performance in the quarter. Apart from Eylea, focus will also be on the performance of PCSK9 inhibitor, Praluent, which the company has co-developed with Sanofi. Regeneron is scheduled to release first-quarter results on May 5. Regeneron’s track record has been far from encouraging with the company missing earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters. Will this biotech stock miss earnings estimates this season as well? Though the stock’s Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) increases the predictive power of the ESP it also has an ESP of -18.98%, making a surprise prediction difficult (read more: Regeneron Q1 Earnings: Stock Likely to Disappoint). Radius Health, Inc. RDUS, scheduled to report first-quarter results on May 5, has a disappointing track record with the company missing expectations in three of the last four quarters. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has an ESP of 0.00% for the first quarter thereby making it difficult to predict a beat. This development-stage company’s lead pipeline candidate, abaloparatide (for subcutaneous administration), is currently under review both in the U.S. and EU for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Focus is expected to be on the company’s pipeline progress and strategic plans (read more: Radius Health: Stock to Surprise in Q1 Earnings?). Stay tuned! Check later on our full write-up on earnings releases of these stocks. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report REGENERON PHARM (REGN): Free Stock Analysis Report AMGEN INC (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report CELLDEX THERAPT (CLDX): Free Stock Analysis Report LIGAND PHARMA-B (LGND): Free Stock Analysis Report RADIUS HEALTH (RDUS): Free Stock Analysis Report ENDOCYTE INC (ECYT): Free Stock Analysis Report IONIS PHARMACT (IONS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research