Aptose Biosciences Inc (APTO)

[dcaf7]

Was distracted yesterday by multiple tasks and could not clearly follow their story about RAS patients. Therefore, disregard my two latest posts. Getting older, I guess.
I was confused about 29% CR/CRh response rate and 42% ORR in patients with RAS mutations. I don’t remember they reported these numbers before. Slide 33 in their January presentation shows ORR of 38% in 3 out of 8 patients and CR/CRh RR of 25% in 2/8 patients with RAS mutations. As I can see, the trick is in reduction of denominator. If they have 7 patients instead of 8, ORR is 3/7, or 42% and CR/CRh RR is 2/7 or 29%, the numbers they reported yesterday. Great way to improve efficacy. Same story was with CR/CRh RR in p53mut patients.
I think, most revealing in yesterday call was a mention of interest from big pharma. I hope it is not about providing Venetoclax with no cost. I hope it is about buyout. I don’t see Aptose moving multiple Tusp programs forward. Maybe they should sell Tusp and focus on Lux.