Replies to post #231081 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Re: HBV addendum

The Evaluate Vantage write-up linked in the immediately preceding post may have a science error:

…hep B is a relatively intractable virus, and the thinking is that to achieve a functional cure viral DNA and HBsAg must both be suppressed to prevent rebound infections. The virus also persists in a reservoir of cccDNA, but this alone is not thought capable of reviving infection.

I have not seen anything to support this assertion regarding cccDNA.

[miljenko]

While GalNac siRNA modification was developed first by Arbutus and ALNY license technology, they also bit upgrade linker and stabilizer of DS-RNA (ESC+ is part, I would guess).
Seams that VIR will be able to dose (multiple) at 200 mg and increase viral load reduction (with PEG-IFN), there is no assurance that drug is for real. I would not think that is burst like AB-729, but would live to see ALNY more involvement in program. ALNY also did not think or like PCSK9, and they were wrong.

<We and Alnylam are jointly responsible for funding the initial research and development activities for VIR-2218 through completion of proof of
concept studies. Prior to the exercise of our option for each siRNA program directed to one of our selected infectious disease targets, Alnylam is responsible for conducting all development activities, at our expense, in accordance with an agreed upon development plan. Following our exercise of an option for a program and payment of the program option exercise fee and any outstanding program costs due to Alnylam, we are solely responsible, at our expense, for conducting all development, manufacture and commercialization activities for products arising from each such program unless Alnylam exercises its profit-sharing option. We are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize one siRNA product directed to HBV and one siRNA product directed to the target of each other infectious disease program for which we exercise our option, in each of the major markets.
If Alnylam exercises a profit-sharing option for a product, we will negotiate the terms of such profit-sharing agreement, which will include sharing equally with Alnylam all subsequent costs associated with the development of such product, as well as the profits and losses in connection with such product, subject to reimbursement by Alnylam of a portion of specified development costs in certain circumstances.