Sue,
Don't get me wrong, I like your company, what you are doing and how much progress you have made.
I've heard people question how many combi-chem companies can succeed, with the thought that only one or at least not more than a few can survive. I find this argument extremely weak and believe that there is more than ample room for PCOP, ARQL and a host of others. These companies will go as far as their scientists and mgt can take them and while each appear to have solid foundations, there is certainly room for hosts of others like Versicor, 3DP, molecumetics etc etc etc. Which brings me to my main point, I find it troublesome that PCOP seems so competitive in regards to ARQL and I don't quite fathom why there would be a need. You each have scores of excellent big pharma and biotech partnerships. You each have ample finances and very solid scientific staffs, loaded with talent. So why make a point of letting us know your technology is novel and ARQL's is not? I just don't see why this is necessary as you both have your strengths and weaknesses. ARQL's optimization technology and know- how must be extraordinary as evidenced by a couple of truly incredible JV's they have struck with Wyeth-Ayerst and recently with Sankyo. These are solid guaranteed money deals with very broad scopes and LT royalty potential. The breadth, size and scope of their partnerships, with so many diverse biotechs and big pharma's is a testament to their value. From what I hear, PCOP has superior biology and I found your comment on screening to be very noteful and an asset I assume PCOP is leveraging. Obviously you have the ability to generate massive chemical libraries which is certainly of great value.
So just because PCOP has some patented technologies, it doesn't mean your system is any better than anyone elses. For example, Trega has their patented "tea bag" approach and it doesn't seem to have gotten them very far, at least not as far as I can tell. So I guess the point I am trying to politely make is tell me more about PCOP and lighten up a bit on the ARQL talk, from what I can see, you guys can rest on your own laurels and its unnecessary.
Caveat: I hold stock in both ARQL and PCOP. |
