I pick out DM2 + low HDL + high trigs because this IMO is the highest risk - if the drug has marginal benefit it will be most likely to reveal benefit in those most at risk.
The statin naive branch could have been implemented - it may just have taken a longer enrollment period etc etc - its lack of implementation eclipses the entire potential of the drug should it prove marginally effective.
ie it may have shown benefit in statin intolerant - but once the statins have taken care of the lions share of lipids likelihood of success is much less
ie reduction of CVA by controlling BP - if you have a marginal BP med and you add it to existing therapy may not show any benefit - untreated patients with no other BP control have much higher probability of success
THe importance of this branch is the subtle inclusion in physician thought that EPA clearly provides CAD reduction benefits in the general population - it immediately registers the drug on their radar and they reach for it even in non FDA approved situations
It is refreshing to see someone discuss the message instead of the messenger .... I really had to question why the whole group spent so much time trying to prove the messenger wasnt real rather than the message ... it was rather entertaining .... I guess in retrospect when the first half of the message was proven true by AMRN's own actions they panicked realizing regardless of messenger if first half of message was true it increases the likelihood of second half of message being true and therefore potential loss of revenues .... like I said in a previous post - stock price of biotechs often rides the emotion wave of potential before the reality wave of actual utility