Halozyme Therapeutics Inc (HALO)

[Fred Kadiddlehopper]

Baxter Alzheimer's drug data positive - analyst
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Apparently the US newsfeeds pulled this info under threat of litigation.
Here is an article from the UK
-Fritz
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7357471
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* Reuters
* , Tuesday March 4 2008

CHICAGO, March 4 (Reuters) - Results of a small study of Baxter International Inc's Gammagard IGIV product in Alzheimer's patients are positive and worth tracking, according to a JPMorgan analyst, citing abstracts released ahead of a neurology meeting.
The study, conducted at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, involved 24 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who received either Gammagard immunoglobulin therapy or a placebo for six months.
Study participants treated with IGIV had "significantly better" outcomes than those who received a placebo based on cognitive functioning measures, said JPMorgan analyst Michael Weinstein, citing the study data. The data did not reach statistical significance due to the small number of patients studied, he said.
Weinstein noted only headlines of the Phase II study were divulged, but called the information encouraging.
A Baxter spokesman said the company and Cornell would release final data on the Phase II Alzheimer's study in mid-April at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Chicago.
Baxter and Cornell released preliminary results of the study in September and said the trial's favorable outcome met the threshold for proceeding to a Phase III study. The company is in the process of finalizing the Phase III trial protocol, a Baxter spokesman said.
Baxter's Gammagard IGIV liquid is approved to treat primary immunodeficiency disorders.
"While Baxter understands the excitement around the Phase II study, Baxter wants to emphasize additional research is required to explore Gammagard liquid's potential as a safe and effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease," Baxter spokesman Chris Bona said.
Weinstein said he expects Baxter to generate close to $2 billion in free cash flow in 2008, buy back another $1 billion in stock and boost its dividend.
Late in the session, Baxter shares were up 48 cents or 0.8 percent at $59.48. (Reporting by Susan Kelly, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)
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