Biotech Values

[poorgradstudent]

ARIA:

Certainly some of the subset data will better than what we have seen so far, so there is little chance of this being a washout.

So what? This type of subset analysis is not useful for approval, and therefore won't bring in the $$$, making ARIA less attractive. Also, efficacy in a hypothetical subset X *limits* the drug's utility because it also says you can not give this drug to subset Y and Z.

If some unfavorable Rida data is found, and Merck confirms the combo strength of Rida in its other trials, and of course, who wouldn't want Pona, I could see Mrk trying a bid on any serious weakness in ARIA.

But they've already got a big chunk of Rida through the development program. Why do they want to buy the company outright? And if they wanted ARIA for ponatinib, they would have made a bid already.