Biotech Values

[ghmm]

ITMN/VRUS et al Protease/Polymerase combo trials:

I was going back over the oppenheimer call earlier this month and (reading between the lines) one could infer that starting longer duration studies of two antivirals in combination would first require an equivalent dosing period of each individually in patients at least in Europe and the US. ITMN/VRUS/Roche have two trials planned (according to InterMune) and perhaps there are additional reasons for doing so but certainly the timeline for when each starts would go along with this plan.

Vertex has stated they plan to start combo trials perhaps as early as this year. Well one of a couple things could be inferred:
1-The trials are not in the US or Europe
2-They have unpublished (and unannounced) results of their polymerase in longer duration studies.
3-They are misleading investors
4-They believe they can be granted a lower bar then Roche/ITMN/VRUS.

Somehow I see 2 and 4 as extremely unlikely so lets see what happens.