Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Re: Miscellaneous partnership musings

>what do you think about Amgen buying someone like genzyme? is that crazy?<

It is not crazy, IMO. If I were AMGN’s head of business development, I would be interested in GENZ.

>couldn't gilead buy vertex or another HCV company. they're not in HCV, but they're huge in HIV<

Actually, GILD has two programs in HCV: GS9190, a non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor soon to enter phase-2; and ACH-1095, an NS4A inhibitor partnered with ACHN in preclinical development (#msg-33259292).

However, these programs do not necessarily preclude GILD’s having an interest in acquiring VRTX.

>I still think all these mid-cap HCV companies, Intermune, Pharmasset, Anadys, Idenix will all get acquired by Roche, Schering, or another large pharma in the next 12-18 mths.<

That’s a likely outcome, IMO. Roche has the inside track with ITMN and VRUS, both of whom are Roche partners in HCV. NVS is the only realistic suitor for IDIX. ANDS used to have an HCV relationship with NVS but now has two non-partnered programs (ANA598 and ANA773).