Idenix Pharmaceuticals (IDIX)

[DewDiligence]

As we all know, Viread is coming, and I think the excellent phase-3 data for Viread had a negative and non-trivial effect on IDIX’ share price during the past few months.

Thus, it is incumbent upon NVS and IDIX to get moving on the study JP mentioned that will test Tyzeka + Viread. Although many observers already believe that HBV is best attacked with a combination of a nucleoside and a nucleotide, this has to be demonstrated in the clinic. It is to NVS and IDIX’ benefit to demonstrate this before Viread becomes entrenched as a single agent.

If NVS and IDIX can produce data showing that Tyzeka and Viread are additive before BMY can produce data showing that Baraclude and Viread are additive, it will be yet another differentiating factor in favor of Tyzeka in its competition with Baraclude.