Biotech Values

[BTH]

Ligand-driven versus Mutuation-driven

This is directly from CURIS S.E.C. filings:

Hedgehog (Hh) pathway and Cancer
•Mutation Driven Mechanism:
-Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) / Medublastoma
•Tumor in which Hh pathway is activated by mutation


•Ligand Driven Mechanism:
-Colon cancer (pancreatic, ovarian cancers, etc.)
•Tumors in which Hh pathway regulates production of growth
and angiogenic factors



Pathway is ACTIVATED by MUTATION versus one in which the tumor is REGULATED by the pathway.

Again, the proof-of-concept is overwhelming in the MUTATION driven kind. Has failed extensively in LIGAND driven (colon, ovarian).

They have several other studies in the ligand driven kind with the NCI (however, I'm not betting much on their success).