Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

The IL-9 program: fact and speculation:

Fact: I called MEDI and confirmed that MEDI is no longer guiding for the launch of a phase-1 trial in the first half of the year, specifically. The new MEDI guidance is for a phase-1 launch sometime in 2004.

Speculation: I think the FluMist debacle has shaken MEDI to its core. A “realignment” of corporate priorities and even a palace coup may be in store.

Although it is conceivable that there is some technical glitch with the IL-9 antibody, I think this is very unlikely given the preclinical data and MEDI’s proven expertise with antibodies.

The IL-9 delay is unfortunate, but it is certainly not panic time. I expect the IL-9 program to get off the ground eventually one way or another.

Squalamine for AMD remains GENR’s big value driver.