Replies to post #21692 on Biotech Values

[rkrw]

Those are silly comments. The point is they *think* they can give a sustained viral response in well under a year. If so, that would transform hcv. Current regimen you treat for 3 months and check for a response. If none, you drop out. If yes, you continue for the full 48 weeks. Interferon has terrible side effects. There's a huge population of hcv patients that refuse treatment. There's a huge population of treatment failures that refuse to try again because of interferon effects. If vrtx can cut it down to a few months and increase success, I think patients will find that bearable. hcv treatment is on the way to being transformed imo whether it be vrtx and or someone else. Lots of horses in the race.

[mskatiescarletohara]

Randychub...YMI & VRTX

Congrats on YMI news, Sanofi collaborating on Tesi!

VRTX, I think it's a bit overhyped. The company will need to conduct further Phase II studies on much larger patient populations. I think it's a bit premature to taunt it's safe on early data which has yet to be fully analysed and unblinded. Resistance is still an issue which has not been adequately addressed, and frankly, I am concerned if long term side effects will develop over the prolonged use of the 750 mg, q8h. The drastic viral load drop is compelling, but there are still some unknowns with the compound.

I think IDIX's compound is actually a better compound given it is given once a day. Convenience is a factor when administering these viral nukes. To me it's more marketable, and they are further along in studies.

katie....