Replies to post #3028 on Antares Pharma, Inc. (ATRS)

[Birdstone]

I understand Copaxone is administered via pre-filled syringe currently. Combining with the Vibex device would be seemingly advantageous, but I would think cost would be the bottom line. An auto-injector would be more convenient than the pre-filled syringe, but is it enough to warrant a higher cost?

[Jon20ABX]

Jab,

You could be right regarding generic Copaxone being one of Antares future drugs. Can Antares IP platform make that drug/device unique and allow them to carve out a nitch? If the answer is yes, then we could have "game on". Time will tell.

In regards to Antares strategy and vision, the comment that jumped out at me (first time I've heard it from Antares though it's a logical extension of what's happening right now) was when LaRoux mentioned the feasibility of having an in-house sales force of 250 by 2016, made possible by the sales/profits of Otrexup. That timing obviously coincides with the launch timeframe of QST. Per LaRoux, a sales force of 250 would be sufficient to cover the 50% of docs who write 80% of the scrips, meaning Antares could launch QST without a marketing partner. At the very least, that conviction puts Antares in a tremendous position of leverage for choosing a marketing partner for QST, if they still choose to go that path. If LaRoux's comment of "I'd be happy with 15% market share" becomes a reality, that's $750M of a projected $5B market. That same (and growing??) sales force of 250 would obviously take their other drugs to market as the pipeline moves forward.

Antares is positioning themselves to become a full fledged specialty pharma and will have the $$, management, sales, and manufacturing capacity to pull it off. I have to believe generic drug giants Mylan and Teva are eyeing Antares. Pfizer might want Antares IP for biologics. Whatever happens, we, the shareholders win, as do the many people who will benefit from the drugs Antares brings to market.

[Rymankoly]

Hi Jab.
I'm on the other hand, don't think ATRS will make generic Copaxone, unless TEVA is the manufacturer.
The reason: ATRS is buying the drug from someone else and packaging it with the injector, if they buy and sell someone else drug, this might hurt the TEVA relationship and I don't think ATRS will go this route, unless there is a major change in Teva business ( buyout) that will have major impact on the mutual projects.