Replies to post #133392 on Biotech Values

[mcbio]

I expected more comments from this board on the AMGN-WPI tie-up. As far as I can tell, this is not a deal that any of the regulars on this board would have expected.

I'm obviously curious as to how this deal impacts MNTA. Is it a bad sign that AMGN went with WPI as opposed to MNTA? Is it simply a function of AMGN not being on board with MNTA's more aggressive approach in trying to develop fully-interchangeable biologics and not just biosimilars? In either case, hopefully MNTA will ultimately land a much more lucrative deal than WPI.

[Rocky3]

Re AMGN/WPI - two crrent comments:

1) It probably removes 2 candidates for a partner for MNTA - both companies were mentioned by MNTA at the annual meeting when going through the types of potential partners; and

2) The provision that it does not cover AMGN branded drugs again restates the MNTA comments that companies have a hard time seeing the benefits of dealing with their own branded and shows that major pharma will probably not be good candidates for a partner for MNTA if they all think like AMGN (and they probably do).

[acgood]

Since I happened to be listening to the webcast when you posted this, I guess that means I should reply.

I'd agree that this isn't a deal that I would have expected. It makes total sense for WPI, but I don't really see what AMGN gets out of the deal (they certainly didn't need the cash contribution), except maybe someone to hold hands with as they jump off the cliff.

Of course, this deal knocks two of my "wildcards" for a MNTA deal off the list in one fell swoop:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=69375925
So now I'll oblige you and move wildcard below MRK and SNY on the list.

I was interested in the discussion around the TNF biologics. Do you have a guess as to why they would do a cancer deal excluding AMGN oncology drugs, but not include TNF drugs while excluding enbrel?

[genisi]

As far as I can tell, this [AMGN-WPI tie-up] is not a deal that any of the regulars on this board would have expected

You can say that about the BIIB/Samsung tie-up as well #msg-69629103