Wilder,
I assume by “strategic alternative” you mean to be sold.
Actually, their current prospects seem better than they have been in 4 years, i.e.
(i) Encouraging, early SWOG P 2 front line nsclc data; V + gemcitabine + carboplatin
(ii) ikkß - - inflammation, lymphoma, myeloma, chemotherapy-resistant solid tumors; 0415 oral ikkß inhibitor - - preclinical activity in RA, MS, COPD; in clinic 2nd ½ 2006
(iii) initiated P 1 with 8054, aurora A kinase oral inhibitor- - colorectal, solid and hematological tumors; uses a novel scaffold with possible applications for many other kinases
(iv) 2nd generation proteasome inhibitor in clinic in 2007
(v) initiatives that will increase V sales - - adding more salespeople; adding more cycles; everest retreatment could propel sales like rituxan; front-line mm; nhl/mantel cell;nsclc
(vi) dramatic cost cutting
(vii) better focus
(viii) more appropriate mission statement
(ix) has 4 molecules from discovery engine in early clinical development; additional joint preclinical studies for four advanced candidates discovered through the (ave) collaboration - - some overlap, I presume
(x) off label use of V - - 9% share front line mm; most other in lymphoma; small amount in lung cancer (!)
(xi) delays in rev and thal approvals
I think that Deborah’s doing the right activities for the business today and that typically coincides with what she would do if they wanted to sell.
Perhaps if tepper is replaced prior to 1/1/06, the odds of being acquired would decrease. If he survives, as I now suspect he will, I’d say it’s 50/50 on an acquisition. I don’t think that the large r&d expenditures over the years have been for naught.
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