I was treating patients with 3TC in the phase III trial and when I read that it could retard resistance development to AZT, I bought some shares, initially at 11, then at 9. However, the stock got way ahead of itself and I sold out at 50. What is this company worth? This is a difficult question to answer. Don't forget, it only has rights to 3TC in Canada, the rest of the world being marketed by Glaxo. Although the worldwide revenue from this drug will be around 300 million this year, only a fraction of that will belong to Biochem. As for the use of Lamivudine for Hepatitis B, Biochem is involved in another lawsuit. With all the new protease inhibitors out, this market is becoming very competitive. All the latest studies with combination therapies, at least the studies that achieved impressive suppression of viral replication, were done with AZT and protease inhibitors, +/- DDI or DDC. I did not come across any which included 3TC. (Please correct me if I am wrong.) As a physician, I am totally confused as to what patients should be started on (AZT, DDI, DDC, 3TC, Sequanivir, Epivir etc.), and when, and there is no clear guidelines from the CDC regarding these newer agents yet. Also, don't forget, most of the patients come from the lowest socioeconomic group and these drugs are VERY expensive. Will I be jumping back onto the stock ? Not for a while yet!
Adrian |
