Replies to post #75478 on Biotech Values

[genisi]

VRUS/clevudine

I think clevudine for HBV is less of a value driver unless it will show very strong sustained suppression of viral load in its ongoing phase III trials. One interesting trial that will highlight the potential for combo use with Viread is this:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00823342

Clevudine's different MoA makes it a good candidate for combo therapy, should it be adopted in HBV.

[DewDiligence]

VRUS GILD BMY: I don't know much about the HBV space, but had just assumed that GILD was in total control at this point.

No—GILD does not dominate the HBV arena the way is does in HIV. To the contrary, BMY’s Baraclude is now the market leader in most countries.

Note that VRUS’ Clevudine is a pyrimidine analog, and hence it could sensibly be combined with either Baraclude or Viread, both of which are purine analogs.