Replies to post #131089 on Biotech Values

[SevenTenEleven]

It appears that manufacturing of the product is the challenge for MDCO as it was for PFE. So is the required IV administration.

A recombinant apoA-I Milano/phospholipid complex (ETC216; Pfizer) showed antiatherosclerotic effects in animals and produced significant regression in coronary atherosclerosis in humans as measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).[3] However, apoA-I is a large protein consisting of 243 amino acids, so it is necessary to administer it intravenously. In addition, manufacture of apoA-I to date has been difficult and expensive. Research has therefore been directed toward finding smaller peptide mimetics that produce similar results to those seen with apoA-I, but that are easier to manufacture and administer.

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/551350

[urche]

MDCO and RVX
It does sound like manufacturing difficulty has limited progress of MDCO.
FWIW, I remain more interested in the approach of Resverlogix conceptually. They are working (at about the same pace as MDCO) on a small molecule trigger that stimulates production of native HDL. So, it isn't APO-A1 Milano, the designer, much hyped mutation, but I think good old natural HDL is appealing after seeing the big failures at increasing HDL.

By the way, RVX initiated phase 2b stuby of its lead compound earlier this month. So results should be out by end of next year.

CALGARY, Nov. 2, 2011 /CNW/ - Resverlogix Corp. ("Resverlogix" or the "Company") (TSX:RVX.TO - News) announced today the commencement of dosing in ASSURE, a Phase 2b clinical trial led by the Cleveland Clinic. ASSURE is a 26-week, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial that will assess coronary atherosclerotic plaque changes in response to Resverlogix's lead drug RVX-208 using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). ASSURE will examine the early effects of RVX-208 induced ApoA-I production on atherosclerotic plaque regression in the setting of patients with coronary artery disease who have a low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).