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Biotech / Medical : Cell Genesys (CEGE)

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To: kha vu who wrote (950)6/12/2000 9:57:00 AM
From: david james  Read Replies (2) of 1298
 
Cell Genesys Eyes $335m Royalties
Brett Pope
Jun 12 2000

The trial between biotechs Amgen [AMGN] and Transkaryotic
Therapies [TKTX] over the production of erythropoietin (EPO) may
have taken a turn as the judge ruled that Transkaryotic did not
infringe on one of the five patent claims. I will not go into all the
details of the trial here (read Reed Williams? reports for details),
but this ruling has positive implications for one of my buy-rated
companies, Cell Genesys [CEGE].

Transkaryotic has partnered with Aventis [AVE], a large
pharmaceutical company, to develop its novel production method
for EPO. The method involves activating a gene in human cells, in
contrast with Amgen?s process of isolating the human DNA and
putting it into hamster cells to grow. Here?s the good part: the gene
activation technology was licensed from Cell Genesys.

So what is the potential for Cell Genesys? The company could
collect royalties in the high single-digits on any EPO sales by
Transkaryotic/Aventis. Amgen?s Epogen anemia drug had $1.8bn in
1999 sales. The drug had $4bn in worldwide sales after including
Procrit sales from Amgen?s licensing partner, Johnson & Johnson
[JNJ]. If Transkaryotic could capture 25 percent of these sales, Cell
Genesys would probably receive $80m to $100m in annual
royalties.

Using a simple discounted cash flow analysis, the present value of
$80m in annual royalties over 10 years would be worth about
$335m using a 20 percent discount rate. As of Friday?s close, Cell
Genesys? market capitalization was approximately $883m. The
value of the company?s cash position and its Abgenix [ABGX] equity
stake is $840m.

Regardless of the eventual outcome of the trial, the case should
legitimize Cell Genesys? gene activation technology and bring
about additional licensing opportunities.

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