Replies to post #46259 on Biotech Values

[Biowatch]

CoStar vs Taxus Express paclitaxel drug-eluting stent

This sounds like technical issues regarding delivery or an insufficient dose of pacltaxil. Idealy one could model this a priori, but as PGS has mentlioned. biological systems are complicated. Clearly preclinical studies didn't forcast this.

What is their patent protection regarding sirolimus? Do they know how to model how much of the drug will be needed or how fast it is released?

>...we remain optimistic about the ability of the novel Conor Medsystems reservoir platform to provide precise and controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent based on earlier proof of concept testing and trials," said Campbell Rogers, M.D., chief technology officer of the cardiovascular franchise. "Unfortunately, the dose of paclitaxel used in this trial was ineffective."

Conor will now watch the development of another drug, sirolimus, for use on coated stents.<

As an aside, pyrotechnics manufacturers look carefully at the shapes and release rates/burn rates of various chemicals compositios/forms so they can have the pretty colors appear in a fairly constant manner. A simple sphere has its surface area decrease quickly, but something with doughnut holes (or the typical stent) will have its outer surface area keep pace as it erodes and its total volume decreases.

[aslan2772]

Re: CoStar

I wonder what is to blame? If I had to guess, I my instincts tell me that either the focal nature of the drug delivery (small reservoirs do not utilize all the available surface area for drug delivery) or the polymer (it is difficult to have a polymer dissolve and remain "inert" in doing so). I still think the most promising technology advance in the near term would be a durable drug reservoir with a prohealing top-coat.