Replies to post #106667 on Biotech Values

[mcbio]

Re: HCV DAAs vs. SoC

Again, to restate (to prevent people from ascribing to me an opinion I don't hold) - my position is NOT that a triple DAA cannot work. Only that the data for it is weak (e.g. no legit animal models) and it seems odd to assign high odds of success to the finding the first ever cure of a chronic viral disease with a non-chronic all-DAA treatment.

Whether or not an HCV DAA combo alone will work without the benefit of SoC is certainly a question that can't be answered with any certainty right now. But, don't you think that it is very likely that, at a minimum, HCV DAA combos will be used in the not-too-distant future to treat HCV? As an investor in ACHN and IDIX, it doesn't matter much to me at all whether or not SoC will be needed or not; all I care about is whether or not it's likely that HCV DAA combos will be utilized (and preferably ones utilizing drugs from ACHN and IDIX of course ; )). I would think it's likely that, at a minimum, if not eliminating the need for SoC entirely, presumably HCV DAAs can at least lessen the need for SoC and shorten treatment duration.

[DewDiligence]

Yes, of course Bischofberger is talking book. I nevertheless find his opinion noteworthy because it’s the strongest statement in favor of all-oral cures for HCV that I’ve heard from anyone of consequence in the industry. Moreover, I find it notable that Bischofberger thinks even three drugs may not be enough and a four-drug cocktail might be needed.

Note that the base post in this thread contained some questionable assertions by you and dewophile based on the failure of a two-drug oral regimen from BMY.