Biotech Values

[dewophile]

predicting SVR at this point may be difficult because the old models of EVR and midstage data (12 and 24 week VL while still on follow-on therapy) may not translate to SVR to same degree as historical data with interferon-ribavarin alone. I say this purely because of the high propensity of resistance to protease inhibitors in HIV model. Having said that, HCV is not HIV, and the addition of immune boosters like interferon-rib may greatly curb this phenomenon, as suggested thus far by sustained VL reductions at 24 weeks post-vx-950 during the follow-on int-rib tx period. I just would like to wait for early 3 and 6 month post-tx VL reports before projecting to SVR.
If we do apply old models to projecting svr i totally agree with 70+% projection since from what I can gather seems like at 24 weeks post-vx-950 (and during the follow-on soc tx period) 9/11 patients had undetectable VL with 1 lost to FU (I am including the 1 pt who d/c'd soc at 18 weeks but remains undetectable). In addition, can get an additional boost by extending vx-950 tx period beyond 4 weeks (although again the issue of resistance might render extended vx-950 exposure of marginal added benefit)