OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCSQ)

[mybikeisorange]

lasers,

Here is something I posted on a different board a few weeks ago in response to someone trying tout the relationship between ONCS and Merck as more that it is. The first few quotes are quotes from the person, followed by my responses. The rest is self-explanitory:

"I'll say this a second time. A collaboration is a form of partnership. If you don't believe me, and you don't trust the language, read this article."

We are in agreement there. The problem is, OncoSec's affiliation with Merck is not even a collaboration at this point.

"Tell me what the next 3 words are. You're smart enough to know what a collaboration is. You can search the SEC's yourself. "

Actually I will tell you what the next paragraph says...

Under the partnership, the University of California, Los Angeles, will test patient samples provided by OncoSec using PerkinElmer's quantitative imaging platform to see if the test can differentiate responders to PD-1 targeting drugs from non-responders. PerkinElmer has developed the Vectra quantitative pathology imaging system, which measures the expressions and characteristics of proteins on tissue regions, which are then stained by immunohistochemistry. The collaborators will use this imaging-based platform to quantify and assess the density of cytotoxic T cells in tumor biopsies.

I see UCLA mentioned. Nowhere do I see Merck being mentioned.

Look at the headline at the bottom of the link you provided:

"Dec 03, 2014
OncoSec, UCLA Partner, Use PerkinElmer Tech to Develop Cancer Immune Response Biomarkers"

Again, UCLA and ONCS, but no Merck.

How about this paragraph from the article you linked:

"The company recently announced a partnership with the University of California, San Francisco to evaluate whether more metastatic melanoma patients will benefit from treatment with Merck's Keytruda when it is combined with ImmunoPulse. Keytruda is the first anti PD-1 drug approved by the FDA in September for advanced or unresectable melanoma patients who are no longer responding to other therapies."

The term "partnership" is used only in reference between ONCS and UCSF.

If you want to talk "collaborations", then here is another from the article you linked:

In its latest collaboration with UCLA and PerkinElmer, OncoSec is planning to advance the findings of the Nature paper."

Again, no Merck.

Now let's go back and look at the headline from the PR announcing the P2b study put out by ONCS:

"UC San Francisco and OncoSec Medical Collaborate to Evaluate Investigational Combination of ImmunoPulse and Anti-PD-1 Treatment"

If Merck was a partner, you could guarantee that ONCS would include them in the headline of the PR. But they didn't. Instead they said this in reference to Merck:

"Investigator Sponsored Trial Led by Dr. Alain Algazi and Supported by OncoSec and Merck Will Evaluate Combination of KEYTRUDA® and ImmunoPulse in Metastatic Melanoma"

Supported means nothing. Merck is giving them the drug for free so that ONCS and UCSF can prove their worth to Merck. That is what they are doing for the 78 other companies/institutions trying to show Merck what they can do. That does not in any way define a partnership or collaboration. If you truly believe that I am not sure what to tell you. I consider ONCS' relationship with Merck as an audition. When we get a PR from Merck, or when someone currently associated with Merck says some quotes in ONCS' PRs, then I will believe that this is a collaboration/partnership. For right now, it is nothing regardless of what Dhillon wants you to believe.

This is what a "collaboration" with Merck/Keytruda looks like:

http://www.bioquicknews.com/node/2259

Merck & Lilly Enter Collaboration to Research Combination Cancer Treatments Involving Merck’s Recently Approved Keytruda Anti-PD-1 Drug for Melanoma

"As reported by PMLive on Janurary 15, 2015, Merck & Co. has agreed to a deal with Eli Lilly & Co. to research combination cancer treatments involving Merck's promising immunotherapy Keytruda, approved by the FDA in September 4, 2014. “The two companies will investigate several different regimens that put Keytruda (pembrolizumab), part of the highly anticipated anti-PD-1 (anti-programmed death receptor 1) class of cancer immunotherapies, together with a cancer compound in Lilly's portfolio. The companies confirmed three study programs that will take place as part of the collaboration, including a phase II study combining Keytruda and Lilly's Alimta (pemetrexed) in lung cancer,” PMLive reported. Furthermore, acccording to PMLive, “a second lung cancer study, this time phase I/II, will combine Keytruda with the investigational drug necitumumab, while the pairing of Keytruda and Cyramza (ramucirumab) will be investigated in multiple cancers in phase I/II trials.” PMLive said that additional details, including financial terms of the deal, had not disclosed. According to PMLive, the Merck-Lilly collaboration highlights the importance of Keytruda to Merck's growth plans."

“Keytruda embodies Merck’s unwavering commitment to pursue breakthrough science to help people who are facing the most challenging diseases,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, J.D., Chairman and CEO, Merck. “We are grateful to the people with advanced melanoma who participated in our trials, and the scientific and medical community for the shared effort that has led to the accelerated approval of Keytruda.”