Replies to post #93563 on Biotech Values

[genisi]

If a patient fails an anti-TNF agent (there are 5 in the market), doc can either put him on a different anti-TNF agent or switch to a non anti-TNF agent (Actemra, Orencia, Rituxan). Among the latter class (Simponi and Cimzia mentioned in the Sermo Event Report are both anti-TNFs), Orencia has the better efficacy/safety profile and a broader label. BMY also conducts a phase III head-to-head vs. Humira trial to compete in 1st line RA:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00929864?term=NCT00929864&rank=1

[dewophile]

it's a shame zgen couldn't negotiate some small royalty - BMY paid zgen around 25 million to settle a patent suit relating to orencia

[DewDiligence]

This physician survey is bullish for ABT, PFE/AMGN, JNJ/MRK, and (paradoxically) MNTA:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/rheumatologists-gastroenterologists-reluctant-prescribe-biosimilars-130000415.html

BioTrends Research Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that surveyed gastroenterologists and rheumatologists in the United States and Europe have a low or medium-low likelihood of prescribing a biosimilar for an indication in which it has not been clinically tested.

The survey is bullish for ABT, PFE/AMGN, and JNJ/MRK because they sell the three leading biologics for RA (Humira, Enbrel, and Remicade, respectively). It is bullish for MNTA because an interchangeable FoB in the US for one of the above drugs will not have to be prescribed in order to be used.