Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Common Biotech-Newbie Mistakes

[Updated with contributions from several posters who are not individually credited here.]


Drug programs:

1. “If a drug does something notable in animals, it must be safe and effective for humans.”

2. “If a drug from the same class succeeds, it means my company’s drug will succeed too.”

3. “If a drug with the same mechanism of action succeeds, it means my company’s drug will succeed too.”


Dealings with the FDA:

4. “If a drug has Fast Track status, it means FDA approval is very likely.”

5. “If a drug has a Priority Review, it means FDA approval is almost certain.”

6. “If a drug has an Expanded Access program, it must be safe and effective, so the FDA will obviously approve it.”

7. “If a company has a meeting with FDA staffers and does not issue a negative press release, it means the FDA agrees with everything the company is doing.”


Behavior of company management:

8. “If the CEO says a company is talking to partners, it means a partnership is imminent.”

9. “If a company goes into a period of radio silence, it means they are negotiating a big partnership deal or buyout.”

10. “If an FDA application is started on a rolling basis pending the completion of clinical data, it means the data are positive. The company would not waste so many man-hours of work on the submission if it weren’t.”

11. “If a company is preparing for a launch—e.g. by advertising for sales reps—it means their drug will surely be approved.”

12. “If a company holds an investor conference call on a different day of the week (or a different time of day) from prior conference calls, it means a hugely bullish announcement is coming!”


Miscellaneous:

13. “If a former executive from Big Pharma joins a small biotech company, it means the small company must be a winner!”

14. “If the company’s Scientific Advisory Board has one or two famous individuals, it means the company’s drug candidates must work. These people would not align themselves with a failure!”

15. “If Rodman & Renshaw issues a positive opinion on a company, it means the company’s prospects must be bright.”

16. “If a well known investor or hedge fund owns shares, it means the company will surely succeed.”

17. “If a small biotech company is located in the same town as a Big Pharma, it must be a top candidate for a buyout.”

18. “If knowledgeable posters are bashing a stock, it means they are trying to ‘accumulate’ shares, so I should increase my holding!”