Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

The most consequential Q&A at MNTA’s annual meeting pertained to Teva’s low-volume formulation of Copaxone and, specifically, to my assertion in #msg-51018349 that a hypothetical withdrawal of regular Copaxone from the market would not preclude the sale of generic Copaxone by NVS/MNTA. Both Craig Wheeler and MNTA’s General Counsel, Bruce Leicher, concurred with the assertion in #msg-51018349.

Wheeler and Leicher acknowledged that sales of generic Copaxone would suffer to some degree if Teva were no longer promoting the regular formulation of branded Copaxone; however, I don’t think many reasonable people expect physicians to suddenly lose interest in regular Copaxone just because Teva launches the low-volume formulation. (Bio_pete takes exception to this—see #msg-51008534; my own view is in #msg-51008910.)

In an impromptu discussion following the annual meeting, MNTA’s CMO, Jim Roach, expressed serious doubt that the FDA will approve Teva’s low-volume formulation based on the data reported in #msg-50939364.