If the registration trial was a multi-arm, head to head trial, I would tend to agree with you regarding the need for a big pharma partner but in AP534's case the trial is fairly straight-forward. By way of example, take a look at the original sprycel or tasigna P3 trials which I believe will serve as a template for AP534's registration trial. My guess is that we're probably looking at a single arm trial with an enrollment of something around 400 pts which is far less than the Ridaforolimus SUCCEED trial.
Now that MRK has taken over 100% of the Rida development, I'm going to have to disagree with your characterization that ariad is underfunded/undercapitalized. In reality the balance sheet has never looked better with funding sufficient into 2H11 (and beyond if the rida regulatory milestones are met in 1H11).
So, imo, ariad seems well positioned in terms of both capital and personnel to tackle a single arm, multi-center AP534 trial on its own. I'm not suggesting they won't partner AP534 at some point, just that they don't need to at this juncture.
Don
