Replies to post #138431 on Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

The anemia problem sounds like Victrelis, specifically.

[pcrutch]

An HCV doc at UPenn on Twitter has commented about this several times, noting that a lot of docs have found Victrelis to be "gentler" on patients than Incivek.

[mcbio]

Cowen HCV panel

Saw part of this presentation given by two KOL-type HCV docs. Most striking takeaway for me was their comment about how they are reducing the use of the 1st-generation PI drug combos because of the SAE's they have encountered. Seems like when you give this regimen to sicker patients than were enrolled in the trial, the SAEs (sounded like mainly anemia and gastric issues) become quite significant. Their main point was that the sicker patients have SAEs and the less-sick ones you can re-warehouse waiting for the newer drugs.

Sounds positive for all of the 2nd gen HCV players, irrespective of the class with which one is involved (PI, nuke, NS5A, etc.).

[genisi]

One point I would like to know (if the KOL-type HCV docs mentioned it in the panel, please post), is whether IL-28b status would be also correlated with SVR in interferon-free combos, or is it just an interferon-containing regimen related association. I think not, i.e. the CC genotype should have higher response in any case since it likely has better viral clearance (due to the endogenous interferon system).