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 : Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Biomaven who wrote (1383)	2/26/2005 2:31:06 AM
From: Icebrg	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1834

>>One key issue is the efficiency of the sales force that ICOS is building relative to the efficiency of a pharma sales force. The ICOS sales force has only one product to detail - that makes it inherently inefficient, not to mention the start-up costs involved.>> Being cash-flow positive and having an under-utilized sales force creates a lot of Rick's favourite word - i.e. leverage. Actually, Icos is now gearing up to become a two-products' company after their recent co-marketing agreement with Solvay late last month. BOTHELL, Wash. & MARIETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2005--ICOS Corporation (Nasdaq:ICOS - News) and Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that the companies have entered into a co-promotion agreement for AndroGel® (testosterone gel) 1% CIII. AndroGel® is approved in the United States for replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of a man's own testosterone. The co-promotion agreement covers the United States and extends through at least 2006, with a renewal option. Positively flowing cash could also be very helpful (although the folks in Bothell still have to wait a year or two for that to happen). Just look at how MOGN are trying to transform themselves by putting those Aloxi millions to work. With cash flowing in and a sales force ready to go, everything a biotech tries to do becomes so much easier (relatively seen). Of course, it is still up to Icos' management to take the right decisions on how the resources at their disposal best should be put to work. Erik