Dr. Barai,
>>I doubt any human being will want to get infused with bovine hemoglobin-based product if another genetically engineered product is available.
In the field of vaccines, factor 8 concentrates, diagnostic thromboplastin etc., once genetically engineered products have become available; human or animal based products have rapidly lost market share. For Hemoglobin substitute, it will happen within no time.<<
Having followed the blood substitutes market, both clinically and financially for several years, I hope you don't mind if i jump into your discussion. I agree with your conclusion in regards to the vet product; IMO Biopure may have found a market niche in which they can start recovering some of the hundreds of millions dumped into this field.
I must disagree with your conclusions on the human market, though. IMHO there are two problems with your arguments discounting a bovine polyHb. First, your argument assumes that all "oxygen therapeutics" will be equal, not necessarily the case with modified and recombinant Hb. Witness the room temperature stability claimed by Biopure. In addition, versus human products with the risk of human infection intrisinc, IMO non-human sourced material may in fact be preferable.
Second, what is the relative timing of each of these products; i.e., when will they each hit the market? If Biopure, or NFLD, or Baxter, or SMTG hit the market first by several months or even several years, how entrenched will they become?
Finally, one advantage that I could see Biopure having, one that it shares with SMTG, is that IMO it will not be raw material constrained as may be either Baxter or NFLD, thus not leaving an unsatisfied market open for follow-on competitors.
Several months ago, I would have written off Biopure as well, after they were jilted by Pharmacia Upjohn. The news that they are continuing development and secured such a large tranche of financing makes me suspect that it would not be wise to discount them yet. A private company IMO has the advantage that it can move more quietly.
biowa |
