gent End-of-Year Update
by: Country_Doctor
6211 of 6226
(this message is a repost due to YAHOO inefficiency)
When IMNR recently announced the RA data, they stated that they are
looking for a corporate partner for the RA product, IR501. There may be
some confusion and misunderstanding regarding this point and I want to set
the record straight: The data have already been presented to the various
pharmaceutical companies, and they are now doing their homework. None
of them wants to be out bid and IMNR is choosing with whom to strike the
deal.
Now, let's use some logic and simple reasoning. In the next 10 days or so,
AGPH will make a $10 million milestone payment, bringing their investment
in IMNR to $25million. This, I feel, represents the "point of no return".
AGPH feels confident they can shepherd Remune through the FDA
regulatory process before the end of 1999. David Saks, senior Biotech
Analyst at Gruntal believes Remune could be commercially available by end
of year 1999.
Consider this scenario: AGPH, Glaxo & Merck all appreciate the value of
Remune, having seen their products used in conjunction with Remune in the
Valentine study. DuPont is now focusing on life sciences and biotech and
they too have entered the HIV arena. Hoffman-Laroche is providing foreign
distribution for Viracept and they will eventually do the same for Remune.
All of these companies are contenders for a high level agreement or buyout
of IMNR. AGPH could potentially find themselves in the unwanted position
of being partners with the likes of Glaxo, Merck or DuPont and owning
only 50% of the Remune profits. Quite conceivably, AGPH will find it more
profitable for them to merge with, or buy out IMNR, thereby receiving all of
the Remune profits. They won't allow themselves to be outbid. The
upcoming $10 million milestone payment represents more than one type of
milestone.
The recent press release was somewhat "underwhelming", but those who
follow IMNR know that PR has never been of major importance to them.
Their credo has been, "Let the science and data speak for themselves." I
believe it was the late Jonas Salk, MD, the founder of IMNR, who
frequently stated this.
Finally, if you think that the company is closed for the holidays, you're
wrong; remember, "Money never sleeps".
Happy New Year to all!
CD |
