Replies to post #188414 on Biotech Values

[dewophile]

PIs were also must have for HIV until they weren't
I agree that NS5A is certainly one way to go, and they are ubiquitous, potent, and potentially high resistance barrier w next generation, but certainly not mandatory for a cocktail (sofo and olysio for example was quite good)

I'm of the opinion resources are better spent on NASH if they really have something worthwhile cooking in the lab - there's just so little room for improvement in HCV and you have to get there reasonably quickly (and I could only see breakthrough in HCV now for current DAA failure pts - for whom nuke or CI w PI +/- NS5A best)

[willyw]

...And doesn't that lead one to suppose that Luly thinks ENTA has a competitive or superior NS5a? (I can't see him proclaiming it if ENTAs NS5A was only so so)

Of a merely competitive one that combines superbly with one of the other ENTA compounds.

[caravon]

Jay Luly said today that a competitive HCV regimen must include an NS5A inhibitor.

At the AM, Jay also mentioned that to to succeed in HCV one must have the best combo. Having good components is not good enough. This was the reason why GILD bought Pharmasset instead of going ahead with its own candidates.

Now, if somebody missed from the Jay presentation, he apparently feels quite good about EDP- 239 (NS5A).

Look at the Abbv's Next-Gen. It is ABT-493 (Enta's PI) + ABT-530 (Abbv's NS5A)

What if EDP-239 is superior to ABT-530? Then Enta has the COMBO (ABT-493 + EDP-239) superior to Abbv's Next-Gen. Enta becomes a very attractive acquisition candidates and Abbv knows it!

Finally, from Barclays slide 8, NS5A is a must to cover ALL HCV bases as well as PI and NS5B (nuc).