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 : Indications -- Cancer -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Miljenko Zuanic who wrote (448)	1/15/2004 8:40:06 AM
From: John McCarthy	Respond to of 1840

1/15/2004 WEEKLY EDITORIAL Only two weeks into the New Year and 2004 has already brought with it a series of events that are shaping this year's pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The first suspected case of mad cow disease in the US has certainly caused a stir, with physicians and the general public alike expressing grave concern over the possible repercussions. One industry to benefit from this bad news, however, is that of the biotechnology industry. Shares of biotech companies specializing in BSE testing devices rose sharply upon the announcement and now companies, including Abbott Laboratories and Orchid BioSciences, are racing to take advantage of this recent boom by seeking approval for their own testing kits. If the first few weeks of 2004 are any indication of the year's events, AstraZeneca is in trouble. Originally hailed as a revolutionary treatment for lung cancer, the company's Iressa compound gained approval in Canada for the treatment of NSCLC. Well this sounds like good news and, in some ways it is. However, trial results to date have been unimpressive to say the least and the great leap forward in the treatment of lung cancer that Iressa was claimed to be, has certainly not materialized. Hence, blockbuster hopes for the drug are becoming less likely as it so far has only gained approval as a third-line treatment for the disorder, not as a first-line therapy as originally envisaged. As if that wasn't enough, Wall Street analysts this week have expressed concerns over its new clot-reducing drug, Exanta which, according to their report, caused "transitory" liver damage in test subjects. A report even suggested that investors and shareholders not discount the risks posed by this and other cholesterol-reducing products produced by the company. Eli Lilly is another company which certainly has not started off the year unscathed. Find out more in this week's company spotlight… Edited by Fedra Pavlou us.f104.mail.yahoo.com