I read the IBD article very quickly at my local bookstore. The title of the article is something to the effect of "Biotech's pipeline is about to burst", meant in a positive sense. Basically, it discussed ICOS's broad developmental pipeline, and provided a table with all different drug candidates, including some that are only in preclinical development. It also noted that several drugs were being tested for multiple indications (e.g. LeukArrest), which would theoretically improve the chances of the drug being approved for something. There were positive comments from a couple analysts - someone from LaSalle and another who follows this company closely but whose name escapes me. It mentioned that the big interest in ICOS recently is, of course, IC351, and that it appears to be a more specific PDE5 inhibitor and might not have the same blue vision side effect. The article further mentioned the Lilly/ICOS deal, and noted that the terms of the agreement were far more favorable to ICOS than the typical biotech/big pharma deal, which often grants the senior partner broad revenue/royalty rights. It noted that ICOS's cash position was strong, and would allow ICOS to continue to pursue its various research programs. I think the article also mentioned that ICOS is expected to negotiate more favorable deals, but I might be remembering it wrong.
At the end of the article, it mentioned ICOS's board of directors. It said that there were some big names on the board, like Rathmann, an IBM officer, a former Commerce Secretary, and some computer person - the CEO of Sun Microsystems, I think, but I might be remembering this wrong as well. |
