Replies to post #5369 on Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc fka ARIA

[BTH]

Merck's a pain in the a$$.

They should be thrilled that at least ONE of their drugs works. Their pipeline has been utter garbage for the past few years.

[bellweather1]

Hi biotech_researcher,

If you believe the most typical conspiracy theory(and my tendency to endorse it is pretty luke warm), then you might think MRK has specifically decided to avoid making positive statements on Rida(or anything related to ariad for that matter) because of their interest in acquiring the co.

Though it's true that any expressions of enthusiasm concerning rida development would propel ariad's pps a lot more than theirs,

there's also the fact that MRK tends not to discuss, what would be for them, such relatively minor matters outside of the context of corporate development conferences(and even then, the commentary is often minimal).

Obviously, that posture protects them with regard to all the partners with which MRK has relationships.

So on balance, my feeling is that since they would have little to gain by telegraphing such moves, why do so(consider how they underplayed the very positive endo results), particularly if they have any interest in an acquisition.

But even if they don't, the overall strategy of underplaying events that would have more impact on their partners makes a lot sense.

Regards,

bw