Replies to post #77991 on Biotech Values

[ghmm]

(VRUS VRTX IDIX GILD) The ‘Third’ HCV Drug in an All-Oral Cocktail:

You and other certainly know a lot more than I do on HCV. The only reason I bought up the possibility of another Protease Inhibitor are comments (granted by InterMune) that they were intrigued by the initial first day drop in both INFORM and 191 Triple Combo studies. With the logic that PI's have generally gotten higher log reductions (then Polymerases) perhaps 2 complimentary PI's could yield an even more staggering first day drop.

[mcbio]

Re: VRUS - 3rd HCV Drug in an All-Oral Cocktail

My own opinion is that VRUS is on the right track, and an all-oral HCV cocktail of one PI plus two complementary nukes (ideally a purine plus a pyrimidine) could be just the ticket. Note that VRUS is seeking to develop a purine nuke to be combined with PSI-7851, which is a pyrimidine.

Dew, are you telling me that VRUS is that mystery third biotech stock you would own if you were to add another? Seriously though, this is why I like VRUS. First, they have the furthest along nuke in the clinic for HCV, and you've pointed out how successful that drug class has been in HIV. And VRUS is also clearly focused on 2nd gen, and even 3rd gen, nukes to follow. I think they're in a good position being potentially first to market in the nuke class while also being able to vie for best-in-class later on down the road.