Replies to post #213665 on Biotech Values

[dangerM]

from MRTX's own press release which you linked

CBL mutations are present in 1.5% of NSCLC, 3.5% of melanoma, and 2% of cancers of unknown origin.

We need many kind of such revolutions. See Ignyta (RXDX) for example:

A preliminary objective response rate of 75 percent was observed in patients with non-KIF5B-RET fusions, with six of eight patients achieving a confirmed partial response. In contrast, those with KIF5B-RET fusions (14 patients) did not demonstrate a RECIST response. These data are consistent with previous studies that suggest that KIF5B-RET fusions may be less susceptible to RET inhibition. https://ignyta.com/investors/press-release-article/1039859/

So the drug, RXDX-105, only works for a part of RET fusions. But if it's a non-KIF5B-RET fusion, then it appears to work quite well.

Commercially, in terms of numbers, some targeted therapy directed to EGFR in NSCLC would grab quite a large share of the market. We had discussed AZN's FLAURA here on the forum

EGFR mutations are present in around 15% of NSCLC in Western populations, rising to 35% in Asian populations. EGFR inhibitors are superior to chemotherapy in the first line treatment of these patients. However, despite high response rates and good progression-free survival, patients invariably develop resistance to drugs such as erlotinib and gefitinib. In the majority of patients this resistance is mediated by a T790M mutation. www.esmo.org/Conferences/ESMO-2017-Congress/Press-Media/Press-Releases/Osimertinib-Improves-Progression-free-Survival-in-Patients-with-EGFR-Mutated-Lung-Cancer

Well, and then there is the whole space beyond individual mutations. IDRA had some results at ESMO which some people on Twitter opined to be a confirmation of TLR 9 agonists and by this supporting DVAX SD101 (one such TLR 9 agonist).

Ahh. And if you're more venture capital oriented, this platform company would have been interesting http://rigontec.com/ (RIG-I ... somewhat related to TLR in the chain of effects, but I am a layman to explain better) ... however, it was just bought by MRK.

... too few hours in the day to follow everything, sigh.

[mcbio]

MRTX addendum: Today’s news is the kind of potential I-O breakthrough I was referring to in #msg-132978691 and #msg-133009861.

I completely lost track of MRTX and I guess this prior news accounts for the recent sharp turnaround in shares. Do you see any warts in this prior data or do you see it as fairly encouraging?