Biotech Values

[biotech jim]

I was not going to extend the current discussion on MDGL and VKTX, but this SA article piqued my interest, and I have a view on the comparative pharmacologies. But let me address the liver function test results in a general way, at least. I had the following discussion with my investing consortium yesterday.

The comments highlighted here on VK2809 reminded me about something in the MDGL conf call stated yesterday am. Some patients with NASH (and FH) have elevated liver function tests (ALT and AST). This is indicative of liver damage. Some drugs can cause liver damage. One key with MDGL is that it was stated in the MDGL Q and A that 3196 actually normalized ALT and AST in the NASH patients! Repeat reading that sentence. That is a big deal, especially if it holds in FH patients.

It is also fairly often there can drug-induced elevation of liver enzymes only transiently. This can be a drug max concentration (Cmax) issue, and absorption can be slowed with tablet enteric coating to minimize this drug absorption Cmax peakby extending absorption thoughout the GI tract and lowering Cmax. Nevertheless, liver enzyme elevation is still a concern.

And as you say, W, two mechanisms for ongoing liver enzyme elevation is a significant cautonary note if not much worse.

What a great VKTX run!

Disclosure: I continue to hold MDGL, and I recently have bought VKTX and I continue to trade it. For VKTX to rapidly develop their liver specific Th mimetic, a buyout by GILD (or another motivated company) would seem to help. Obviously at a much higher price point.