Replies to post #111115 on Biotech Values

[ghmm]

If my (bad) memory is correct that is at least the second if not the third potential IPF compound they have licensed/acquired in past couple years. With Actelion Tracleer failing in IPF and Letaris having the same MOA I imagine its prospects have dimmed. But obviously someone (besides me :-) ) sees a potentially very lucrative opportunity in this field. I think a good strategy for ITMN would be to try and license/acquire some early stage candidates in that field. With them having the only approved compound they have a little extra time to pick a more potent/more promising agent too. Actelion didn't fair too well trying to build a pipeline/extend their dominance in PAH it will be interesting if ITMN does a better job (if they aren't gobbled up by someone).

[DewDiligence]

GILD has long been considered a biotech company, but this acquisition will mark the first time GILD has a protein drug in its pipeline.

[DewDiligence]

GILD’s Simtuzumab failed to increase PFS as an addend to Gemzar in a phase-2 trial in first-line pancreatic cancer:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gilead-announces-data-phase-2-100000449.html

“Although simtuzumab did not provide clinical benefit in difficult-to-treat advanced pancreatic cancer patients in this study, we continue to explore simtuzumab in other areas of unmet medical need, with ongoing clinical trials in colorectal cancer, myelofibrosis and serious fibrotic lung and liver diseases,” said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, Gilead’s Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer.

GILD picked up Simtuzumab (f/k/a/ GS-6624) in the 2010 acquisition of Arresto Biosciences (#msg-57962898).