Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (311)	9/17/1999 12:29:00 AM
From: Miljenko Zuanic	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1169

biz.yahoo.com <<Vertex and Hoechst Marion Roussel began collaborating in 1993 to discover and develop orally available inhibitors of ICE. Their intensive design efforts were based on the three-dimensional atomic structure of ICE, solved by Vertex researchers in 1994. As the result of an extensive, jointly conducted synthesis and research program, HMR 3480/VX-740 was selected as a development candidate in 1996. A Phase I clinical trial of HMR 3480/VX-740, completed by Hoechst Marion Roussel earlier in 1999, showed that the compound was well- tolerated in humans in a range of single doses. Phase II development in at least one additional indication is anticipated to begin in 2000.>> Once-a day dosing, well tolerated, $5 M milestone, .... and stock is moving like a dead cat. :( Wish that I have more money. Anyone have few green's to borrow, for a good advice... (PS:...)? :) Miljenko PS: Or I should recommend LIPO (thanks Peter) after today debacle.

To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (311)	9/24/1999 9:27:00 AM
From: scaram(o)uche	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1169

[ parking info, market size ] 02:56 AM ET 09/23/99 Vets at Higher Risk for Hepatitis C Vets at Higher Risk for Hepatitis C WASHINGTON (AP) _ Many veterans unknowingly harbor a liver-destroying virus, according to a new campaign encouraging veterans to seek testing and treatment for hepatitis C. An estimated 2.7 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C. Although it kills up to 10,000 Americans a year, it can lurk for decades without causing symptoms, so many people don't know they are infected until their liver is seriously damaged. Veterans may be at special risk. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 8 percent to 10 percent of veterans treated at VA medical centers have hepatitis C _ an infection rate some five times higher than in the general population. Veterans treated by the VA tend to have poorer health, so no one can say if all veterans have such a high risk, cautions the VA's Dr. Toni Mitchell. But more veterans need to demand testing, says Terry Baker of the Vietnam Veterans of America, director of a new campaign that is launching ads and an Internet site to increase hepatitis C awareness. The VA ''is not giving out the information to the vets,'' he said. In a survey of 500 veterans commissioned by the Veterans Aimed Toward Awareness campaign, 60 percent said they have not been tested because they don't believe they are at risk. The campaign is partially funded by a $130,000 grant from Schering-Plough Corp., which makes the only government-approved hepatitis C treatment. The chief risk factors are injection drug use _ even a single experimentation with drugs 20 or 30 years ago could have spread the virus _ and blood transfusions before 1992, when the blood supply was first tested for hepatitis C. Other risks include having had sex with an injecting drug user; using hemophilia clotting factors before 1987; long-term kidney dialysis; tattooing with unsterilized equipment. Any veteran who requests a hepatitis C test at a VA medical center is supposed to get it, and those hospitals also are supposed to ask veterans if they have any risks that would trigger testing, said Mitchell, who investigates complaints if that doesn't happen. Treatment is still somewhat controversial. The VA is following National Institutes of Health guidelines that recommend treatment if a liver biopsy shows damage, Mitchell said.