Jeffrey:
MEDX is now really diversified from a science stand. I'd need to take a closer, updated look to give a decent opinion, as they've changed significantly since I took my last one.
I actually once interviewed for V.P. R&D, back when they were a brand new spinoff from Dartmouth. I also was one of the first to be involved with bispecific monoclonals and therapeutic models, so I've long followed the company (but not in-depth for ages).
First, my experience.... not using anti-Fc, so if may be apples and oranges. A collaborative set of experiments with Bob Oldham's old company, BioTherapeutics, targeting tumors with one Fab and tumors with an agonistic anti-T cell..... ok, worked great as long as you mixed and injected the antibody, effector cells and tumor cells together subcutaneously. If you injected the antibody or effector cells i.v. and the tumor cells subcutaneously, zip. So, MEDX went later to the step of stimulating the production of Fc-receptor positive effectors before administration of the bispecific. Good idea, but I didn't (don't) expect it to work, and I'm not at all surprised to see rights returned.
These MEDX projects have just crawled along at a snail's pace, and it has looked like bait and switch to me for a long time. They acquired the GenPharm program for a song after GenPharm won the litigation with CEGE. I still don't understand the forces that led to the rescue of GenPharm and why it needed to take the form of a giveaway, both in terms of the GEGE (Abgenix) license and the acquisition by MEDX.
I'd watch the GenPharm-derived assets. Closely. Let us know when the timing is correct.
Buffer.... many buffers that are used to prepare MAbs are toxic. It's been ages since I visited the issue.... phosphate buffers are OK, but one needs to limit volumes and infusion speeds. Problems were commonplace a few years ago. Volumes can, I believe, be limited for some molecules by using an appropriate "excipient". Again, I have very limited experience here, but, for antibodies, "excipient" used to read as "sugar". Yes, it's a complex problem to restart a clinical trial with a different formulation.
Gotta run, it's my son's ninth birthday today. A biggie. Consider that the MEDX business plan has looked, for about two years now and IMO, like one big bait and switch. It could just be a matter of timing, but.... I'd need to look more closely.
Cheers! Rick |
