Biotech Values

[biopearl]

Dew, not like you to make such a statement without a background check. Initial Mayo study was slated to stop in March 2014 with 29 patients. Study was expanded to include current 79 (!) patients (expansion presumably due to unprecedented CR and PR not to mention CIs and a good ORR). New cohorts were added (not part of original study design) to include AML and another subgroup of also sicker patients (those with ringed sideroblasts). 20 patients who dropped out of study in keeping with proportion of patients who dropped of study when the initial 22 were presented at ASH in Dec (I think it was 5). I am not sure I can agree with your conclusions. On the contrary, new data from AML cohort may soon be available. Consider the JAK2 inhibitors had a fairly substantial drop out rate and did not provide the potential for CR and PRs seen with imetelstat. Drop out rate could be because of advanced disease and potential for recognition that some patients would not likely respond (negative spliceosome mutations?) CRs included resolution of bone marrow fibrosis and the objections of some regarding improvement/resolution of splenomegaly, constitutional symptoms such as night sweats and also the issue of transfusion requirements have been addressed (impressively). Anyway please review in light of these ideas and re comment if you would. Best Regards, bp