Biotech Values

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The drug, known by its chemical name abiraterone, also prolonged life by about four months in clinical trials. But patients experience symptom relief far sooner with it than with Provenge, said Slovin, who was interviewed at the conference sponsored by strategy consulting firm MD Becker Partners LLC.

There are several inaccuracies in the story. Above is one. Provenge is approved "for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer." Those patients seeking symptom relief, as Dr. Slovin said, "Pain is markedly improved, along with the ability to eat, drink, go out and do what they normally would do." are not candidates for Provenge anyway. It just shows someone like her even doesn't know exactly what Provenge is approved for. For what she described, Zytiga took from both docetaxel and cabazitaxel.

So, taking that part out, the story essentially left with:

1. Original expectation of Provenge taking some of these off-label use isn't going to happen, these had gone to Zytiga. 2. Provenge is inconvinient which is true. 3. The expectation for Provenge was too high which is also true.