Replies to post #130588 on Biotech Values

[ghmm]

HALO:

I don't know how BIOD product is but Halozyme doesn't alter the ultra-fast insulin (PH20 modifies the extracellular matrix which enables more rapid absorption) so having that available as a generic opens the opportunity for any company really. Its less of stretch that a generic company would market a "better" analog insulin then a completely novel product. In fact perhaps being indifferent to which analog could be one benefit in having a generic company be the marketer. Not saying I would prefer this necessarily (though at this point I am anxious for them to get any deal) as they may not put the effort into it that another company might just that it is a distinct possibility.

Its not unique a slightly similar situation that I am familiar with are some of the new generic formulations of Flolan for PAH. One doesn't require refrigeration (I believe the one Actelion is developing) and I believe there are others with some other improvements too (can't recall by memory).

I haven't listened again to the HALO call but do seem to recall Frost mentioning that a generic company would need more time/info. Being that I heard mentions on past presentations too I think its something they are considering unless I misheard multiple times :-).

[rkrw]

The last insulin company I heard pumping the possibility of partnering insulin with a generic company was Sembiosys. Not a risk for HALO but Sembiosys ended up bankrupt. The good news is insulin is a big zero in the Halo valuation, I think.

[jq1234]

The fast-acting insulins are set to go generic in a few years so wouldn't the generic players be focused on that particular opportunity, which is in their core competency, as opposed to focusing on an entirely novel new drug, which generally isn't among the core competencies of the generic players?

HALO's insulin program isn't a "new" drug. So it is possible for a biosimilar insulin player trying to differentiate portion of the biosimilar insulin program by adding PH20. I don't think that is the only possibility.