Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Is Danoprevir (f/k/a ITMN-191) good enough for China? Roche's partner thinks so:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/15/roche-idUSL5N0D209220130415

Roche Holding AG said it had teamed up with emerging biotech firm Ascletis to develop and commercialise its investigational drug danoprevir in China for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus.

Under the agreement, Ascletis will fund, develop and manufacture danoprevir in greater China, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and will also be responsible for regulatory affairs.

Danoprevir is a first-generation PI that must be given with interferon and ribavirin and is active in genotype-1/4. Roche paid ITMN $175M for the worldwide rights to Danprevir in Oct 2010 (#msg-55244199); maybe Roche will eventually get a return on the investment.