Replies to post #13547 on Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc fka ARIA

[JJM760]

I have never been the biggest of Harv fans, but I think you are making more of the poster's breakout session revelation. Seems to me preparing the NDA is par for the coarse and Berger taking his book and being confident on Ponatnib is nothing new.

I could really care less if Berger is a jerk or not. Lately he has been doing a solid job steering the boat IMO. I can think of plenty of obvious jerks that have made a lot of money for their sharehoders. There was a guy who ran Apple was not exactly loved by all, but the shareholders did pretty well, no?

[BTH]

Dew, I personally think that ARIA is finally getting some respect in the market due its science, which has been hampered by Berger and the way he has governed this company over years.

I can overlook all the B.S. now that it turned out alright. Watching it unfold, in action, was extremely, irritating to say the least.

[rkrw]

The strange part of his story of the Berger comment (if it happened) is that anyone would be surprised they were working on the NDA. These are supposed to be seasoned biotech investors at a conference like that.

Berger has made some good moves. Restructuring the Merck deal, which had been something of a fiasco and retaining all rights to Ponatinib as it continues to move along and become fully derisked. Jerk or not, he's had a good run over the past few years.

[micanwait]

Dew -- Can't agree.

I thought he did a great job in negotiating the Merck deal and, to this point, I think that deal has made this company go.

He's a tough and realistic negotiator. A Pona partnership has been in the wind for about a year. When Harvey talked about writing the NDA he was probably just putting pressure on the prospective partner for a better deal.

He holds a very large stake. He's a little hard to predict. He put together a fantastic research team. He's an abrasive SOB. He's got the goods and he knows how to manage it.

What is not to like?