Replies to post #7247 on Biotech Values

[Biowatch]

Quick answer: kidneys regulate phosphate (phosphorus) and calcium levels in the blood. If your kidneys fail (which is why people end up on dialysis), they get out of whack, and you can build up lethally high levels of phosphates in your blood. (From the PR: "hyperphosphatemia, i.e., high phosphorus levels in blood, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)")

There are various drugs used to try and get rid of the extra phosphate/phosphorus, mainly by binding to it (i.e., trying to soak it up like a sponge.)

For example, Fosrenol by Shire Pharmaceuticals is another lanthanum based phosphorus absorber:
http://www.fosrenol.com/

"second generation" means they think their's is new and better. "Nanomaterial technology" means they've been keeping up on the latest trendy buzzwords (IMHO).

"novel non-aluminum, non-calcium phosphate binders" mean they aren't Rolaids or Tums. (Seriously.)

[Biowatch]

BTW, the Mass General doc SPPI quotes in the PR is on the scientific advisory board for ALTI, so I would *hope* he likes the deal.

From the ALTI website:

>>Award-winning Harvard Medical School Professor and Kidney Dialysis Research Specialist Brings Focused Expertise to Advisory Board

RENO, NV – October 7, 2004 – Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTI) today announced that Dr. Ravi I. Thadhani has joined the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Thadhani, an award-winning clinical instructor, researcher, and medical practitioner, will lend his expertise to the company’s life sciences division, in particular the ongoing development of nano-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications.

“I am enthusiastic to be joining Altair’s Scientific Advisory Board at this particular juncture in their business strategy,” said Dr. Thadhani. “Nanotechnology-based research has already shown tremendous promise for applications in traditional medicine and I anticipate nanotechnology to truly change the future of all aspects of life sciences. I look forward to working closely with the Altair team and board as they continue development of their drug candidate for end stage renal disease as well as their advanced drug delivery systems.”

“The appointment of Dr. Thadhani to our Scientific Advisory Board will prove invaluable to our life sciences efforts,” said Altair Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alan J. Gotcher. “Ravi is an established clinician, with widely regarded expertise in researching and developing new therapeutic techniques for kidney-related ailments including chronic and acute renal failure. We are honored to have him join our board.”

The Scientific Advisory Board provides a wealth of scientific and industrial technology expertise that Altair’s management, research and product development teams can draw upon as the company drives toward commercialization of nanotechnology products.<<

[Biowatch]

OT Re: ALNI Yes, nanotech hot buzzword in my opinion.

When I thought they were giving away their phosphate binding drug for kidney disease for a song , I didn't realize that their getting a "breakthrough" on new battery technologies would send the stock up >120% yesterday on 59 million shares traded, and drop it >7% today on 101 million shares traded. (I guess daytraders don't like holding over the weekend.) Per Yahoo, they have ~50 million sh outstanding...

http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=ALTI&t=5d&l=on&z=m&q=l&c=

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/050210/080729.html

>>"The nanomaterials Altair is developing are the next generation of electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and Altair's research and product development is laying the ground work for a new generation of ultra high power lithium ion batteries," commented Dr. K. M. Abraham.<<

I suspect that the future applications won't translate into near term profits, so the stock will probably pull back further, and the volume will drop below 50 million shares per day.