Replies to post #105707 on Biotech Values

[ghmm]

Interesting, can't say that would have been my first guess at what they would do. No (direct) mention of the follow-on so I take it by ending the collaboration all other compounds return to InterMune.

I guess this won't change Dew's opinion of the compound's future :-).

[DewDiligence]

ITMN—I interpret the news as Roche’s agreeing to pay $175M merely to be free and clear of contractual obligations stemming from the 2006 Roche-ITMN partnership for HCV protease inhibitors. Inasmuch as there are newer and better PI’s available, I doubt that Roche will advance ITMN-191 to phase-3.

That ITMN-191 does not have what it takes is old news: e.g. #msg-46797334, #msg-53621981, #msg-53624063.

[turtlepower]

I wonder if ARRY gets a cut of that 175 M

[DewDiligence]

Is Danoprevir (f/k/a ITMN-191) good enough for China? Roche's partner thinks so:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/15/roche-idUSL5N0D209220130415

Roche Holding AG said it had teamed up with emerging biotech firm Ascletis to develop and commercialise its investigational drug danoprevir in China for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus.

Under the agreement, Ascletis will fund, develop and manufacture danoprevir in greater China, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and will also be responsible for regulatory affairs.

Danoprevir is a first-generation PI that must be given with interferon and ribavirin and is active in genotype-1/4. Roche paid ITMN $175M for the worldwide rights to Danprevir in Oct 2010 (#msg-55244199); maybe Roche will eventually get a return on the investment.