Biotech Values

[biophud]

New preclinical research from Biogen.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&l...

Looks like several groups are developing soluble receptors and antibodies for Alz. ELN, BIIB, and DNA come to mind.

I have several questions/comments about this research

1. Does lowering beta-amyloid levels correlate with improved funtioning in humans (without causing serious side effects)?
2. I would think that orally-available small molecule inhibitors (that target BACE1, gamma-secretase, etc.) would be preferable to biologic agents.
3. Where is AMGN in all of this? Several years ago they were involved in the cloning of BACE-1. But if you do a pubmed search, most of the preclinical work on BACE inhibitors is being done by MRK and other big pharma companies.

Sorry to ramble. To everyone on the board, Have a great holiday!

biophud