Replies to post #74040 on Biotech Values

[mcbio]

Re: Nature Alzheimer's article

Thanks for the link ghmm. That made for a good read. I'd just add that LGND also has a very early stage BACE inhibitor in partnership with Schering-Plough thanks to the PCOP merger.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Ligand-Earns-1-Million-bw-14291880.html

"Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that it has earned a $1 million milestone payment from Schering-Plough Corporation related to the progress of Schering-Plough’s inhibitor of β-site of APP cleaving enzyme (BACE) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which resulted from a research collaboration with Pharmacopeia (acquired by Ligand). Alzheimer's disease is characterized by plaques of the toxic amyloid-beta protein within the brain. Amyloid-beta is formed when the larger amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved by two enzymes, BACE and gamma-secretase, which releases the amyloid-beta fragment. A BACE inhibitor is expected to reduce amyloid-beta generation in Alzheimer's disease patients...."

[mcbio]

ELN's Alzheimer's pipeline

I know Bapineuzumab, the monoclonal antibody immunotherapy, has had disappointing results to date in Alzheimer's, which has in part led to the share price collapse. But ELN also has the secretase inhibitors, one of which is in Phase III with LLY. It would appear, based on the Nature article, that the secretase inhibitor approach is still a very valid approach.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the potential for these compounds to drive the ELN share price higher, notwithstanding the Bapineuzumab and Tysabri issues?