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Biotech / Medical : Biotech Valuation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Biomaven who wrote (8943)	8/14/2003 9:27:01 PM
From: Graham Marshman	Respond to of 52153

Thanks bio, I'm not sure how much cash they have. That $6M is essentially from the shell company. Interesting but very, very speculative I agree. I did get in this morning - figured the news had to good for a bump anyway so I've got +18% so far if I can keep it. We'll see. Graham

To: Biomaven who wrote (8943)	8/15/2003 9:56:37 AM
From: NeuroInvestment	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 52153

FWIW--Here is some of what I included in my section on Neurologix in the Private CNS Company database published in Feb 03: <<Parkinson’s/Gene Therapy: Neurologix is based on a novel approach to a cutting-edge experimental therapy. The scientific founders (Cornell’s Martin Kaplitt, the University of Auckland’s Matthew During) made a splash in October 2002 when Science published a report of their work delivering GABA-expressing genes via adenoviral vectors in a primate model of Parkinson’s. They reported that the range of functional improvement ranged from 20-80%, with half of the animals showing ‘strong’ improvement. This is novel in that other PD/gene therapy models have involved providing either dopamine or neurotrophic factors (GDNF, neublastin) to the striatum. Instead, this approach provides inhibitory GABA to the subthalamic nucleus, inhibiting the STN’s inhibitory effect upon motor movement. The FDA has approved a 12 patient pilot study in severe Parkinson’s patients. It is a six hour procedure, and the patients will be followed for two years, with periodic MRI and PET scans included in the endpoints. Medtronic has provided much of their initial funding. The rodent and primate data thus far is encouraging, and the AAV vector is considered safer than retroviral options by most gene therapy researchers. But the experience of the Tuszynski Alzheimer’s surgical trial shows the risks involved in a neurosurgical option, and the introduction of genes into the human brain for modification is still terra incognita, even more than is cell implantation. If successful, one question would be whether any benefit would eventually diminish (hence the two year followup) as the dopaminergic system continues to atrophy, leaving less and less for the STN to ‘not inhibit.’ The cofounders have speculated that the gene therapy’s impact suggests possible neuroprotective benefit, but the mechanism by which that could occur remains unknown, and unproven.>> Harry Tracy NeuroInvestment www.neuroinvestment.com