JO, I posted a couple of times, but here's another quick update. LGND's programs allows it to identify new drugs to meet unmet needs. ZEN's Tamoxifen has been approved for the treatment of breast cancer since the late 70's. Today's report indicates that it also has applications for breast cancer prevention, but there is a significant trade off (endometrial cancer, blood clots on lungs, and bleeding). The side effects are more frequent than the prevented breast cancers in an at risk population. For most women (those who are not high risk), the risk/reward ratio is not favorable. There is quite a bit of room for improvement. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen. LGND has an interest in several other anti-estrogens including Evista, Droloxifene, CP-366,156, and TSE424. These compounds will compete with Tamoxifen.
LGND also has Targretin and 2nd generation rexinoids (LGD1268 and LGD1324) which also prevent breast cancer in animal models. Moreover, these compounds can be used to treat some of the side effects of Tamoxifen (endometrial growth) and can synergize with Tamoxifen.
Thus, LGND is well positioned to improve the prevention approach with better compounds for monotherapy and better combinations. Tamoxifen has broken new ground, but there is much room for improvement and LGND is well positioned to provided the new and improved approaches of the future. |
