Biotech Values

[ghmm]

RTRX: I'm still a skeptic . I asked Martin about using Tracleer when its generic. He said Actelion said it wouldn't work. Someone else pointed out that the selectivity may be a reason so now I'd ask why Gilead or GSK wouldn't try a combo with ambrisentan (letairis). The way I see it its too risky for the following reasons (not necessarily in order):
1) Competitive risk (Other ERA+ARB/ACEi)
2) From the presentation it seems that ARB/ACEi have an effect on proteinuria so there is a bar.
3) I couldn't find human data so there is still efficacy and safety risk.
4) Brief history of CEO instability (not that I thought Aslegee was the ideal person for their stage to begin with).
5) I wasn't too comfortable with finding out Martin was involved in their MD molecule. He is either a finance guy or a scientist not too many do both.

The presentation did point out the Ligand royalty which is still helpful (though I sold off a descent amount of my position).

Incidentally since the thread started with talking about some speculative Bio's one we started with ARWR has a small indirect tie to our discussion. Bruce Given their COO (or some upper management position) was the CEO of Encysive which developed Thelin. I bet if he gets the chance again he won't hire a sales force before the FDA decision .