Replies to post #137315 on Biotech Values

[acgood]

The gccr and gcgr phase 1 trials started in 11/2011:
http://ir.isispharm.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=222170&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1624758&highlight=

ISIS does not list healthy volunteer studies on clinicaltrials.gov. They have guided for the phase 1 data to be available this year.

FYI ISIS also terminated their SGLT2 drug.

[acgood]

addendum re ISIS-

here is a link to the complete slide deck from the January 2012 R&D day. The diabetes programs were not discussed in much detail if I recall, with the exception of rationale for abandoning SGLT2 program. I also be interested in people's take on the Factor XI program - the preclinical data is pretty impressive to me. But I am not so thrilled that they are planning to run the phase 2 program themselves.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4vGp24qqYqSOTI4OWFhZTktNDFhOC00YjMwLThiODMtY2I1ODI4OTA4NzRh

Part of the reason that ISIS has programs against targets that pharma does not is intentional - many have proven to be undruggable with small molecules (both diabetes and other therapeutic areas). SGLT2 was a notable exception, and proved to be a mistake.

Sorry I don't have private message membership - I have added email address to my profile if you have other questions on ISIS. I agree it is a very complex company to try to analyze because of so many moving parts.

[nivasvs]

"Given the size of the T2D market I find it very odd how few of these targets are being explored by big pharma."

This is not true. Most of the targets big pharma working on are at very early stage (Discovery stage). I know for sure that more than 15 different targets are being worked on currently.

Some of them are: CCR2 antagonists, GDIR (or GPR119) agonists, GPR120, GPR140, peripheral CB1, etc,.

The probelm with these targets are, they show very good potency and efficacy in preclinical species, but in clinic they are all duds.

One target, GCGR is very potent and efficacious, but issues with elevated liver enzymes since it is directly working on liver.