Registration trials for 534 will not need 600 patients, three years, and endpoints are much more definitive (ie. no need to chase statistical significance when the patient population is well defined, small and the results are as dramatic as has been illustrated with clinical data). Given current funding AND extremely likely further milestone payments from Merck, Dr.Berger should be able to carry 534 very close to approval (perhaps all the way).
On the subject of "lemmings": I would also like to assure BHT that I'm no "lemming", in fact I'm throughly non-lemming, anti-lemming,... if lemming are matter then I'm anti-matter, if lemmings are blue then I'm red, etc.. I am however somewhat reassured that BHT did not mean anyone on this board, since personal insults are not allowed (unless by "lemming" he meant one who has good tribal ethics and knows when to follow the leader).