ARWR - 9/15/2009
My Note:
-------------------
I think PSDV and ARWR are nascent
nano-technology franchise plays.
PSDV is closer to realizing entry into a billion
dollar market than ARWR at this point
9/15/2009
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"TWST: In mid-July, you were listed on StandoutStocks.com as among stocks that stand out. What were the reasons you would say that your company stock stands out?
Mr. Anzalone:
I think we stand out for two primary reasons:
One is the quality of the science that backs our companies and, therefore, the quality of these companies.
If you look at Unidym as a key example, what we have is a replacement material for what's currently being used in displays, meaning LCDs and touchscreens used, for example, in cell phones.
These are very large markets; they're growing quite rapidly even in this recessionary period. These markets have been looking for a replacement for a key component called ITO, or indium tin oxide.
It has been clear to the large manufacturers for some time that what's being used now is a suboptimal material, and that is one of the key drivers for developing a replacement.
We believe Unidym's product can be that replacement.
We've been working with large companies for some time now, including Samsung and LG, to break into these markets.
We've conducted extensive sampling of our prototypes, we have made literally dozens of working prototypes in both touch screens and LCDs that use our material in place of this ITO.
And we think that we are very near breaking into touch screen markets with initial entry expected later this year.
TWST: Would you say you're undervalued?
Mr. Anzalone:
I think that we have very compelling stories, we have very compelling technology designed to address large markets, we have very good companies and we have a seasoned management team.
And I think that we have near-term opportunities to penetrate these markets. Our stock price has really suffered over the last year, and we have made significant progress in controlling cost and continuing development, which ultimately positions us for driving near-term value in new product introductions as well as being in a more stable financial position when the market returns.
We are at least as close to the large markets right now as we were a year ago, but our stock price is a fraction of what it was at that point.
TWST: When do you expect to have the Phase I results?
Mr. Anzalone:
It's difficult to say.
I can tell you that it won't be done this year, but we think it'll be done in the first half of 2010.
We will be looking at data between now and then of course, but we don't think that the entire trial will be complete until first half of 2010.
I don't see any other publicly traded company doing what we do in nanotechnology.
Certainly there are other companies that are looking to commercialize nanotechnology, but I don't see any other companies that are looking to actively operate multiple subsidiaries to exploit nanotechnology.
With this strategy, we have a sound portfolio effect, which mitigates risk because we are working on a number of different platforms, a number of different technologies in different markets, and so that helps our risk profile, certainly. The challenge for us is to be properly valued because it's very difficult for analysts to properly value all our holdings across industries.
So it's just incumbent upon us to help to educate the market about what we are doing. So I think that's one competitive advantage, the way we are running the business. I think that we have a capital-efficient model of tracking value from diverse nanotechnologies. I think that it may be hard to find other companies that do that as well as we do. I think we have very good access to the movers and
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