Bill,
David S. is absolutely correct in his summation of GERN. They have come across some interesting scientific areas, but they are not going to all of a sudden find this telomerase "fountain of youth" thing to be a sudden breakthrough to treat everything. They will have to gradually find specific uses as time goes, and then do their appropriate studies. Meanwhile, it gets mentioned for treatment for almost anything, especially age related ailments, at this time. Hopefully it will eventually provide many benefits for humanity, but we are a long ways off from anything with GERN.
Another interesting tidbit for ATIS is the recent changes with S&N including dermagraft TC. They hadn't been interested in this initially due to the small market potential, etc. Why are they now willing to pick it up? Do they think that they will find some way to get major revenues from this worldwide?....or, is there yet some other use available for it, such as maybe for treating pressure sores(bedsores)?
These aren't sores which occur due to some physiologic cause, such as a disease process leading to nervous system or circulatory system damage, but to actual injury from lack of movement from a given location, typically in the elderly or severly impaired. The ability of the body to heal is not typically the issue, as long as given the opportunity, so they may yet find dermagraft TC can find a use here. This is only conjecture, mind you, but I can't see there being a lot of reason to pickup dermagraft TC unless they feel there is more to it than its current small market potential, unless simply doing some kind of favor for ATIS to allow a couple of extra dollars worldwide, which I doubt. FWIW, if dermagraft TC does pick up another indication, and it is a big indication, the USA rights have not been taken away from ATIS. This would have a lot of revenue potential. We all must keep in mind that we are quite some time away from picking up some of these other indications, etc., so nobody should expect huge immediate profits(market penetration should be very gradual at best initially with the first major product coming out, but assuming it makes it out, with other indications, it will be much easier). The first true issue at hand right now is getting the dermagraft recommendation and then approval, however, as no matter how much people describe it as a sure thing, I never believe any product is with the FDA(even though I think odds are pretty good here).
Also, if memory serves, one of the trials for a new indication for ATIS will begin by the end of the year, assuming dermagraft gets the okay. Which indication wasn't known yet, so whether it would be venous stasis ulcers or pressure sores, and whether this would mean dermagraft or dermagraft TC(possibly) also isn't yet clear.
Given the maintained usa rights to dermagraft TC, I sure hope they find another use for it.
Think I've said my piece for a bit.
Take care,
Marshall |
