Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

FDA approves subcutaneous Orencia for RA:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-Food-and-Drug-bw-1834037579.html?x=0&.v=1

The IV formulation of Orencia was approved by the FDA in 2005 and has annualized sales of about $900M. The new sub-Q product has weekly dosing rather than the monthly dosing of the IV formulation. (The FDA label for the sub-Q product recommends an initial loading dose with the IV formulation.)

The sub-Q product should allow Orencia to widen the lead it already on Rituxan and Actemra, the other two drugs often prescribed in the post-TNFa (i.e. third-line) RA setting (#msg-65077219).