Comments on: Micromet – The Plot Thickens http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/ Biotech stock reviews Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:47:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-677 Ohad Hammer Thu, 07 May 2009 16:48:13 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-677 not too bright, despite the clear efficacy. I think it missed the opportunity to become a standard late stage treatment after Rituxan fails. There will be additional targeted agents for NHL that should enjoy better acceptance. not too bright, despite the clear efficacy. I think it missed the opportunity to become a standard late stage treatment after Rituxan fails. There will be additional targeted agents for NHL that should enjoy better acceptance.

]]> By: sam http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-676 sam Thu, 07 May 2009 15:29:53 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-676 What do you think of the prospects of spectrum's zevalin? What do you think of the prospects of spectrum’s zevalin?

]]> By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-672 Ohad Hammer Mon, 04 May 2009 05:17:43 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-672 Thanks Clif CRIS is very risky to begin with for obvious reasons, but to me the BVF move doesn't change much. BVF, through its different funds still holds a substantial amount of shares. Also, keep in mind that the real catalysts for CRIS are results from two randomized blinded studies, so BVF do not (at least they should not) know anything that we don't. Judging by recent activity of other companies in the indsutry and the attention hedgehog is receiving in scientific journals and conferences, the Hedgehog pathway has become one of the hottest areas in cancer research. It doesn't guarantee, of course, that CRIS' compound will hit the market eventually, but it is very encouraging to see all the hype around this pathway. ohad Thanks Clif

CRIS is very risky to begin with for obvious reasons, but to me the BVF move doesn’t change much.
BVF, through its different funds still holds a substantial amount of shares. Also, keep in mind that the real catalysts for CRIS are results from two randomized blinded studies, so BVF do not (at least they should not) know anything that we don’t.
Judging by recent activity of other companies in the indsutry and the attention hedgehog is receiving in scientific journals and conferences, the Hedgehog pathway has become one of the hottest areas in cancer research. It doesn’t guarantee, of course, that CRIS’ compound will hit the market eventually, but it is very encouraging to see all the hype around this pathway.

ohad

]]> By: Clif http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-670 Clif Sun, 03 May 2009 23:13:50 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-670 I enjoy reading your blog. You summarize nicely the key points and compel the reader to think more logically. I, and I'm certain others, thank you. My question isn't with Micromet, it is regarding Curis (CRIS) I didn't think my post would be seen since that blog entry was weeks ago so I decided to put it here. My apologies to those interested in Micromet. Last Friday, a 2.9 million share block trade went off on CRIS, at that time, a dime below the bid. It turns a fund named BVF Partners were the sellers. So my question is this: Does this enormous trade make you second guess the fundamentals you had mentioned in your blog entry? Granted your position in CRIS is small, but along with the recent large trade, earnings loom for the company early this week. I enjoy reading your blog. You summarize nicely the key points and compel the reader to think more logically. I, and I’m certain others, thank you.

My question isn’t with Micromet, it is regarding Curis (CRIS) I didn’t think my post would be seen since that blog entry was weeks ago so I decided to put it here. My apologies to those interested in Micromet.

Last Friday, a 2.9 million share block trade went off on CRIS, at that time, a dime below the bid. It turns a fund named BVF Partners were the sellers.

So my question is this: Does this enormous trade make you second guess the fundamentals you had mentioned in your blog entry? Granted your position in CRIS is small, but along with the recent large trade, earnings loom for the company early this week.

]]> By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-668 Ohad Hammer Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:49:31 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-668 Hi Sam I really want to be bullish on MEDX but I just don't find enough reasons. Theoreticallly, they have many shots on goals but their pipeline is not too impressive. Of course this could change if even one antibody shows good results in clinical testing. The approval of Stelara is a positive development especially after Genentech withdrew Raptiva of the market. Golimumab is more tricky since there is a multitude of anti TNF agents out there. Even at 5$, INCY is a great pick imo. The results their lead drug obtained in myelofibrosis is so impressive, and to date, no one is coming near to this level of activity. If they dilute current shareholders, the stock price will probably plunge, thus creating an even bigger opportunity. Management has been talking about different steps they are considering. I don't think they'll be able to license their RA drug until they show results from larger trials so the more plausible path is licensing 424's rights outside of the US. ohad Hi Sam

I really want to be bullish on MEDX but I just don’t find enough reasons. Theoreticallly, they have many shots on goals but their pipeline is not too impressive. Of course this could change if even one antibody shows good results in clinical testing. The approval of Stelara is a positive development especially after Genentech withdrew Raptiva of the market. Golimumab is more tricky since there is a multitude of anti TNF agents out there.

Even at 5$, INCY is a great pick imo. The results their lead drug obtained in myelofibrosis is so impressive, and to date, no one is coming near to this level of activity. If they dilute current shareholders, the stock price will probably plunge, thus creating an even bigger opportunity. Management has been talking about different steps they are considering. I don’t think they’ll be able to license their RA drug until they show results from larger trials so the more plausible path is licensing 424’s rights outside of the US.

ohad

]]> By: sam http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-667 sam Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:02:31 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-667 You believe that incyte may be included in your portfolio if they handle their debt, however, if they do handle it wont it double, triple or more on such news in the future? Would you still buy incyte if they diluted their current shareholders to manage their debt? You believe that incyte may be included in your portfolio if they handle their debt, however, if they do handle it wont it double, triple or more on such news in the future? Would you still buy incyte if they diluted their current shareholders to manage their debt?

]]> By: sam http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-666 sam Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:16:55 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-666 Medarex has a slew of drugs in various clinical trials and at varying stages. However, this stock doesnt get much interest. Is it because its just a small company or is it the percieved quality or lack of it the reason it doesnt recieve much positive interest? What do you think? Medarex has a slew of drugs in various clinical trials and at varying stages. However, this stock doesnt get much interest. Is it because its just a small company or is it the percieved quality or lack of it the reason it doesnt recieve much positive interest? What do you think?

]]> By: Alan http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-665 Alan Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:29:59 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-665 PLCSF could take off soon PLCSF could take off soon

]]> By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-664 Ohad Hammer Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:57:09 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-664 Hi Eric I still didn't listen to their call, but it certainly doesn't look good. Long term, there could be a nice opportunity but I wouldn't get near it in the foreseeable future. This is different from bad clinical data because this fiasco could have been prevented, so the stock will probably feel market's wrath for at least several months. there will also be tons of lawsuits... ohad Hi Eric
I still didn’t listen to their call, but it certainly doesn’t look good. Long term, there could be a nice opportunity but I wouldn’t get near it in the foreseeable future. This is different from bad clinical data because this fiasco could have been prevented, so the stock will probably feel market’s wrath for at least several months.
there will also be tons of lawsuits…

ohad

]]> By: eman http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-663 eman Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:25:45 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-663 Hi Ohad - Any thoughts on the implosion at SQNM today? Thanks very much. Eric Hi Ohad -

Any thoughts on the implosion at SQNM today? Thanks very much.

Eric

]]> By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-655 Ohad Hammer Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:32:49 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-655 Thanks Sam Naturally, the biotech portfolio pretty much covers the stocks I consider as hidden gems. there are quite a few stocks in the potfolio that still haven't made their move. MITI is definitely one of them, and the recent analyst day made me even more bullish on it, despite all the risks associated with the early stage they are in. One company that is not in the portfolio is INCY, which has a great pipeline but too much debt. Once that issue is resolved, I guess INCY will find its way to the portfolio. Best, Ohad Thanks Sam

Naturally, the biotech portfolio pretty much covers the stocks I consider as hidden gems.
there are quite a few stocks in the potfolio that still haven’t made their move. MITI is definitely one of them, and the recent analyst day made me even more bullish on it, despite all the risks associated with the early stage they are in.
One company that is not in the portfolio is INCY, which has a great pipeline but too much debt. Once that issue is resolved, I guess INCY will find its way to the portfolio.

Best,
Ohad

]]> By: sam http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-654 sam Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:48:06 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-654 I really look forward to reading your blogs and wish I have invested in your biotech portfolio back in october...but you know what they say that hindsight is 20/20. However, so many of the most promising biotechs in your portfolio appear to have already made big moves (and worry about how many are still are a great value). What other promising biotech stocks do you believe to be hidden gems? I really look forward to reading your blogs and wish I have invested in your biotech portfolio back in october…but you know what they say that hindsight is 20/20.
However, so many of the most promising biotechs in your portfolio appear to have already made big moves (and worry about how many are still are a great value).
What other promising biotech stocks do you believe to be hidden gems?

]]> By: Ohad Hammer http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-651 Ohad Hammer Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:46:46 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-651 Hi Rick There is a lot of work that shows cancer cells have the capability to suppress the immune system. Cancer cells could express or make other cells to express cytokines such as IFNbeta, IL10, IL1-RA, IL-13 that are known to suppress the immune system. They can also express proteins on their surface like CD5 or LAT1. Although I haven't seen anything specific with respect to BiTE suppression, there is a ton of data about how tumors can inhibit T cell activation. If you are interested in this area, all you have to do is pubmed it. Here are two random reviews: http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v27/n28/abs/onc200835a.html http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WWY-4HKCYXC-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e6727590caa7b9ea17e210d3867f7054 Ohad Hi Rick

There is a lot of work that shows cancer cells have the capability to suppress the immune system. Cancer cells could express or make other cells to express cytokines such as IFNbeta, IL10, IL1-RA, IL-13 that are known to suppress the immune system. They can also express proteins on their surface like CD5 or LAT1.

Although I haven’t seen anything specific with respect to BiTE suppression, there is a ton of data about how tumors can inhibit T cell activation.

If you are interested in this area, all you have to do is pubmed it.
Here are two random reviews:

http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v27/n28/abs/onc200835a.html

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WWY-4HKCYXC-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e6727590caa7b9ea17e210d3867f7054

Ohad

]]> By: rick http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-650 rick Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:25:14 +0000 http://www.hammerstockblog.com/micromet-%e2%80%93-the-plot-thickens/#comment-650 Hi. Hammer I enjoy reading your articles on ADC and MiTE based therapies. Could you please elaborate on "Tumors could present or secrete factors that suppress the immune response in order to block the effect of BiTE antibodies." by giving me an example of it? Thank you very much. Rick Hi. Hammer

I enjoy reading your articles on ADC and MiTE based therapies.

Could you please elaborate on “Tumors could present or secrete factors that suppress the immune response in order to block the effect of BiTE antibodies.” by giving me an example of it?
Thank you very much.
Rick

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