Ohad Hammer

Curagen: Positive Results at ASCO 2009

Sorry, cannot comment on that.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals May Be On To Something

Let's wait for the data release at both conferences.
The main issue with the data sets is the fact they are from uncontrolled studies, so you can't actually tell whether the good results can be attributed to the bavi/Cotara or not.

ohad

Top Biotech Picks for ASCO 2009 (Part I)

As I wrote, the list is incomplete. Besides, most of the important data for ALTH's drug is already known and were submitted to the FDA.

Micromet: More Reasons for Optimism

I am not aware of a SGEN drug for ALL.
They have drugs for all the other acronyms, NHL, AML,MM,HL and ALCL from what I know ;)

SGEN is developing an anti-CD19 antibody drug conjugate but it is still in pre clinical stages, so I don't know which patient population they'll target.

ohad

Micromet: More Reasons for Optimism

I think most of the negative sentiment can be attributed to the break up from Medimmune. I hope that next month MITI will prove that MEDI's decision had nothing to do with the data.
With respect to the discrepancy between fundamentals and market reaction, we'll have to wait and see. I personally believe that we'll see whether the market was right about MITI very soon.

ohad

Micromet: More Reasons for Optimism

Hi Joe

Hopefully you are right regarding the ALL data. One thing is for sure, this company is getting a lot of attention.

Ohad

Bright Prospects for Micromet (Part 2)

You are absolutely right. Should have included that as an option, but I don't think that it's a preferred option for the company.

ohad

Celgene Corporation: Take the Money and Run

Since CELG does not sell biologics and managed to achieve reimbursement even in the UK with good pricing, I don't think it will be materially affetced by Obama's policy.

Ohad

Celgene Corporation: Take the Money and Run

They paid almost 3 bil for Pharmion and also had some writedowns related to the acquisition. Other than that they were highly profitable.
btw, we should expect the same pattern this year, following m&a or business development activities

ohad

Rigel and Seattle Genetics: The Delicate Art of Expectation Management

Thanks Bjorn

BioInvent certainly looks interesting in terms of the tagets they address and the very nice business development activities. I still haven't seen proof of concept data for any of their products, but I guess Roche and Genentech will publish clinical data (good or bad) this year for 403 and 204.
Funnily enough, I am currently evaluating a similar european based antibody discovery company for the biotech portfolio.

Ohad

The Long Case for Pfizer

Very nice interview, clear and simple.
imo, Berkowitz is right on the money.
The pharma industry is facing a patent cliff, but it doesn't mean companies like Pfizer will actually fall off a cliff. It will still generate plenty of cash and will be able to utilize its huge global footprint.
Can't say I follow every investigational agent in the company's pipeline, but it seems to have quite a few interesting drugs, particularly in the pain/inflammation area.
I am still a little bit worried about their oncology pipeline, especially the lack of antibody based drugs. They do seem to have a deep and broad small molecule pipeline, but most of it is early stage. The Wyeth deal doesn't help a lot on the oncology front, although Wyeth has a very interesting conjugate with strong data in NHL. For some reason, the company is not too public about it.

Ohad Hammer

Rigel and Seattle Genetics: The Delicate Art of Expectation Management

I agree with you with respect to the trials' results, but to me there is no reason to own RIGL until June. Don't see a lot of downside but there's not much to expect for on the other hand. The only thing I can think of is Merck publishing impressive results for the Aurora kinase inhibitor at ASCO, but it isn't likely imo.

Updated Calendars of FDA Decisions and Clinical Trials

Very nice summary, Thanks!

'When There's Blood in the Streets', Buy Biotech Stocks

beta delta
I am familiar with the company, but not intimately enough for having an opinion. The idea behind TNFerade is very exciting and has broad applications and the data seems pretty good in pancreatic and H&N cancers. Neverthless, I would be very hesitant in investing in the company before the update in pancreatic cancer, where nothing seems to work.

ohad

'When There's Blood in the Streets', Buy Biotech Stocks

Thanks, KevinMBK.
I don't follow CYPB closely, but I think there is a lot of skepticism towards upcoming phase III results for milnacipran . Their cash position is enviable, no doubt.

Ohad