NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[Rkmatters]

We have not seen any reported efficacy on their Phase I data. The only thing they shared thus far are a few patient cases and survival data on a chart that serves as no comparison, as they did not give us the life expectancy of each patient. That is bound to vary on a patient by patient case. Until DCVax platform sees success, big Pharma in my opinion will not be interested. And so again, in my opinion, I suspect that those preliminary discussions will have led no where. It makes no sense to partner with expensive technology that will run into payor hurdle of getting costly combinations through. Instead it makes much more sense for Checkpoint Inhibitor players to partner with cheaper technologies, that have been reporting strong efficacy that cuts down on the time to the approval pathway. Technologies that can lead to buy out or partnerships if such a combination is worthwhile. Case in point, TapImmune, FRa vaccine, cheaper technology targeting Ovarian and TNBC. The peptides can be combined into a DC vaccine or a t-cell vaccine. TPIV estimates it will take about $7 million to run a trial, in which they received Orphan and Fast Track earlier this year on a Phase I.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tapimmune-granted-fast-track-designation-by-us-food--drug-administration-for-its-lead-vaccine-tpiv-200-in-the-treatment-of-ovarian-cancer-567496381.html

As such they received a collaboration. Each paying their own way, but if the collaboration study is effective, then AZ will have insight to the results and a partnership stake could come of it.

AstraZeneca Beefs Up Immuno-Oncology Pipeline with TapImmune Technology
http://www.publicnow.com/view/EE457CD2245619BB092DF8F91797D95995C9B9EE