DrJerry, Actually, I think that IR got the word out on this one a couple of months ago. It is one of the three articles that I expected quite some time ago. All took longer than I expected, but this is the one that I thought would reach the widest audience and it definitely is more positive and detailed than the Financial Time's article. The Business Week article was the strongest, but it would be unusual to get such as strong article into the printed version.
I think that the NY Times makes it clear to investors where the best play would be. I expect LGND and LLY PR to get things rolling. As LLY sets the stage for the US trials (and I expect several including Targretin as monotherapy for early cases and combination therapy with insulin, Rezulin, Metformin, and sulfanylureas, as well as IND filings for one of teh second generation rexinoids, LGD1268 or LGD1324), more physicians at research centers will learn about Targretin's diabetes applications (I think that they already know about cancer treatment).
FDA reform should go into effect this year, allowing off label promotion. I would think that the European data would be very useful for getting the word out to practicing physicians in the US who could begin prescribing it off label next year.
Of course, getting the word out to physicians who have money to invest is something that should be done now. LGND's price is very attractive and physicians looking to invest in biotechs probably could use a little education on Ligand. |
