Ohad Hammer

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

'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

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

Thanks, jturano7423.

I don't think it has a lot to do with guts, but basic common sense ( which seems to be a scarce commodity these days). History shows that people tend to exaggerate to both ways, and what we're witnessing, including today's selloff is merely a result of irrational behavior. Yes, things don't look good at the moment but in my opinion, now is the time to build positions selectively in segments and companies who can weather the storm. I think good biotech companies represent such a tremendous opportunity because their products and technology will always be in demand. Even companies who won't have a commercially available drug in the near future will be able to license drugs and technology to the pharmaceutical giants, who have deep pockets and are starved for new drugs. Remember: There is always a good market for good drugs.
I personally feel much more comfortable buying today, when all the fund managers and investors are dumping everything they have. They were the ones that accumulated all these stocks in the past year or two.

Ohad

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

Sorry petpesie, I am not familiar with BioMS. I am sure there are plenty of biotech companies that are suffering as a result of this panic. From what you describe, it is in good position because it has Lilly paying for clinical development, and it doesn't seem that it would stop doing just because there's a recession.

Licensing Deal Is Imminent for ArQule

Thanks Basel Expat.

EXEL looks great at the current price. Similar to the overall market, all bad news (cash burn) are factored in and when multiple licensing deals are signed, I see it going substantially higher. It is less risky than ARQL, no doubt, thanks to its broad portfolio, and this should be ARQL's model as well.

EXEL just got involved in another crowded "next big thing" area yesterday, Hsp90 inhibitors. In this case it is lagging behind BMS
and SNTA among others.

Ohad

Licensing Deal Is Imminent for ArQule

Thanks

I Don't follow ARIA too closely.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals May Be On To Something

Hi Jimmy

Sorry, but I don't follow AMGN specifically, although I am familiar with some parts of its portfolio and pipeline. Generally, I would have to go with Adam Feuerstein, whose opinion I appreciate very much, even though he is not too excited about Peregrine...
we'll be much smarter after their R&D day 3 motnhs from now.

Ohad

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals May Be On To Something

Thanks for the comment JazzPal

the strong macrophage infiltration and activity towards the core of tumors in mice ia very encouraging. However, I don't think we know enough to clearly state the MOA of bavi, although the interaction of PS with PS receptors on macrophage has been well documented.
It's great to read your optimism regarding bavituximab's spectrum of use but you have to remember that no matter how promising any agent seems, it probably won't serve as a universal solution for every malignancy. there are many other known mechanisms by which tumors evade the immune system, so while PS might have an important role in that process, there are numerous other players.

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals May Be On To Something

Hi John
Thanks for your comment.
The problem here is that we know patients have failed prior therapy, but we don't know exactly what kind of therapies. There are many regimens approved for the treatment of metastatic cancers, and it seems likely that the agents used in the trial were not the agents the patients had relapsed upon. Hence, we cannot give the credit to bavituximab.
Besides, regardless of the past therapies,I stand by my first statement that this trial was not a comparative trial, becasue it simply wasn't, nor are the phase II trials the comapny is expecting to begin.
A comparative trial must be a double blind, randomized trial with more a control/plcacebo arm.

Best,
Ohad

The "Naked" Truth About Antibodies For Cancer Therapy

Thank you for your great replies. IMGN is shaping up to be a true leader in the immunoconjugate field, but no one knows exactly when this market will kick into gear. I must admit, though, that their Trastuzumab-DM1 results have been far from being impressive imho. They haven't published a scientific article about this trial so perhaps it's too early to comment, but the results look as if it was just another naked antibody, instead of a highly toxic compound (cytotoxicity of maytansine is thought to be 200- to 1000-fold higher than that of other tubulin polymerization drugs like taxol, and its deriviatives, like DM1, are even more toxic). it doesn't imply their technology is inferior, it just means that they'll have to try agian and again until they make it. in drug development statisitics are alway against us, so many agents must be evaluated before finding a truly successful one.

I am planning to write an article about IMGN but for now I am working on several other articles, including a SGEN article which (hopefully) will be published next month.

Ohad