The conference call transcript will be posted here. I listened to the call at 5pm tonight. It was excellent. Joe Davies and Jim Tobin were very, very enthusiastic about CVT-124, and anti-CD40L. I mean pumped. Also, they were excited about LFA3TIP. Clinical results for the former two compounds will come out this quarter. Also, VLA4 is now in trials with Merck and Merck and Biogen are collaborating and making great progress on an oral delivery mechanism for the compound.
With respect to Avonex, they felt that there was little probability of Ares-Serono's Rebif being approved in the US. Also, the Teva data that Teva publicized supposedly had all the ear-marks of data-dredging: following strict clinical statistical guidelines, Teva does not slow progression of MS. Also, Biogen has Avonex in further clinicals on early stage and later stage MS and is being tested in combination with other compounds. Avonex is showing great growth in Europe and in France in particular (they added 2000 patients last quarter in Europe and 1000 in France despite only selling there for two months).
R&D spending was estimated to come in at $170MM for the year because of the many, many clinical trials that Biogen is conducting this year.
I was very happy with the call. But, best to judge for yourself when the transcript is posted. All the best, Hong-Lee,
Harold |
