Hi Randy,
I am new to SI and am not sure how to upload text if I want to post something I write in a word processor elsewhere. Cut and Paste?
Anyway here are some rambling and unsorted observations from research I have done over the last 6 months on AGPH. I do mostly qualitative thinking about the company. Also, I am an engineer, not connected to the pharm. industry.
* Roger Mills talked about his research on Lymph node HIV reduction at a community forum in SF last month. His initial studies indicate that virus is reduced markedly in the lymph system under treatment with protease inhibitor as well as in the blood. There is no place to hide from the drugs. The brain hasn't been studied as an HIV reservoir yet. It looks like these drugs are marking the end of the AIDS epidemic!
* Agouron is expanding its access program to include more people because they have the drug available, according to Donna Nichols, investor relations spokeswoman. One of the things that is great about Viracept is that is a small drug, easy to produce. Merck has had problems supplying sufficient quantities of their drug.
*Informal conversations I had with men taking Viracept indicate high satisfaction and little discomfort. I think this news will spread quickly and make Viracept the drug of first choice among patients. It is tasteless and can be taken conveniently with or without food. Other drugs cause kidney stones, numbness in the face and arms, vomiting, and are generally awkward to take. Taking the drugs regularly (eg. 3x per day) is very important because they are dosed very precisely to avoid more severe side effects and to maintain the maximum concentration in the body. The protease inhibitor which has the least side effects, Sequinovir, is the least effective.
* Agouron has done an outstanding job in public relations. Expanding the access program and making the drug available to kids is great. They have a compassionate attitude and will get points from the AIDS community for it (and maybe from the FDA too).
* Viracept has a unique resistance pattern, distinct from other PI's. People who develop resistance to Viracept can switch over to another PI without developing cross resistance. Why not start with Viracept?
I hope there is some useful information here for you.
I am happy to see AGPH pushing through resistance at 75 today. The good news on Viracept is going to boost the shares further, I hope. Watch out for insider selling around $85. Does anyone watch insider activity here?
....Peter |
