Biotech Values

[mcbio]

Re: RIGL - R788

The efficacy goes down when the dose is lowered. You basically see no effect at 50mg BID, but that dose still causes neutropenia.

Efficacy goes down as dose is lowered but if you look at the totality of the Phase 2a data, taking into account those patients where the dose had to be lowered, the drug was still quite efficacious compared to placebo and at least comparable to existing injectable biologics. Also, per the Phase 2a slides, the 50mg BID dose does not cause neutropenia. So, I'm not sure what you are basing that on. Please clarify. RIGL is testing a new dose of 150mg qd in the Phase 2b trials. We'll see how that dose stacks up in terms of efficacy and safety.

If you think investors will not react negatively to the neutropenia AE, its worth holding it for the phase 2b data.

I'm of the opinion that the Phase 2a results will mostly hold true to form in the Phase 2b trials. That's my best guess. If that is the case, I don't see the stock tanking. If it does, I'm a buyer.

I do agree with you R788 will likely do well in other acute indications, but you have realize its the RA dream thats supporting the current market cap.

R788 for RA is clearly the crown jewel of the company. I agree that is supporting the bulk of the market cap. I just see a little more short-intermediate term upside in the market cap as I believe the Phase 2b results should be good.