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Biotech / Medical : Ligand (LGND) Breakout! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/21/1997 10:48:00 PM
From: DrJerry	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

TO ALL: I've been away and return to find emotions high- my, my such vehemence! Take solace in knowing that this is still the thread with the most intelligent posts- even pure conjecture is well thought out. I will only take issue with anyone who attacks Henry- his science is unmatched and his enthusiasm inspiring. He has not held a gun to any investor's head. Let's just wait it out and reap the eventual benefits! (My editor wife tells me not to use so many exclamation points and I always listen to her advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/22/1997 7:57:00 AM
From: tonyt	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

> 20 is just around the corner. With all the news behind us, LGND will see 12 before it sees 20.

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/24/1997 8:32:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

Andy, I agree with you that $20 is just around the corner. LGND has had good support around 13 3/4 and it sounds like the good news is about to come out. The NBC story on treating head and neck tumors with retinoids (ALRT1550?) is rather powerfull and probably represents the tip of the iceburg on such stories. A new SEC filing on ALRT is also a signal that the buyback is about to be finalized, paving the way for closure of the LLY deal and selction of the new compound. SA also incicated that the Panretin topical data would be out this year and I expect that to be a strong positive, paving the way for an NDA in 1Q 1998. There is quite a bit of news slated to come out, although more is now set for 1Q 1998 than 4Q 1997. LGND's current price is less than ideal, but considerably better than others. AMLN set a 52-week low last week, at 6 1/2. LGND and AMLN prices were very close before AMLN released Phase III data on Pramlintide. In contrast, I expect Panretin phase III data to be very favorable.

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/24/1997 8:33:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

Andy, LGND just announced the close of ALRT. This is VERY good news.

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/24/1997 8:37:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

Andy, Each share of ALRI will convert into $7.69 in cash ($25 million to be paid out) and .97 shares of LGND (3,166,567 shares), which should eliminate the tendacy of arbitrage holders to knock down LGND's price.

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/24/1997 8:40:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

The press release also indicates that the lottery has been completed and the agreement to split profits and products with AGN has been amended to reflect the new closing date (Nov 19).

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/24/1997 8:42:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

I haven't found an electronic version of the press release yet, but this came out last week: Wednesday November 19, 8:01 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release Former Partners McCamant and Murphy Keynote Informed Investors Seattle Biotech Forum Dec. 13 SEATTLE--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 19, 1997--James McCamant and Michael Murphy, two of the nation's leading experts in biotechnology, will make a rare appearance together at the 1997 Informed Investors Seattle Biotechnology Forum Saturday Dec. 13. Since starting the California Technology Stock Letter together in 1982, McCamant and Murphy have grown into leading authorities in the ''new economy'' industries of technology and biotechnology. After starting the CTSL together, McCamant branched off to specialize in medical technology with his Medical Technology Stock Letter. In recent years, McCamant's emphasis has been on biotechnology. Both the CTSL and MTSL are among the top-rated investment newsletters as rated by the prestigious Hulbert Financial Digest. Murphy kicks off the conference with his keynote address. McCamant is the luncheon keynote speaker. Both will participate in a panel discussion, ''What Biotechs To Buy Now,'' following lunch. The Forum runs from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. followed by the luncheon program from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Sheraton Seattle, 1400 Sixth Ave. in downtown Seattle. The cost, including the luncheon, is $40 prepaid, $60 at the door. The cost for the luncheon program only is $30 prepaid, $50 at the door. Audio tapes of the Forum, which include all company presentations plus Murphy, McCamant and the panel discussion, are available for $45 plus $3.95 shipping/handling. Call 800/992-4683 to order, email info@informedinvestors.com or visit informedinvestors.com for information. In addition to talks from Murphy and McCamant, attendees will hear full financial presentations from Genentech (NYSE:GNE - news), Ligand Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LGND - news) and Seattle area-based companies ALCIDE Corp. (NASDAQ:ALCD - news), ICOS Corp. (NASDAQ:ICOS - news), Cell Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CTIC - news), Sonus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SNUS - news), Corixa Corp. (NASDAQ:CRXA - news) and QLT Phototherapeutics (NASDAQ:QLTIF - news) of Vancouver, B.C. McCamant, in an interview with Informed Investors, pointed to several breakthrough drugs that will boost companies in the near term. He referred to IDEC Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:IDPH - news) Rituxan and Chiron Corp.'s (NASDAQ:CHIR - news) wound-healing product rhPDGF-BB, both of which McCamant said would receive approvals by the end of the year from the FDA. ''I think that's going to be a big, big market,'' he said. McCamant said investors should also pay attention to the race among several major biotech firms to develop and market drugs to deal with impotence. These companies include VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS - news) Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - news), Schering-Plough (NYSE:SGP - news) and Zonagen (NASDAQ:ZONA - news). Schering-Plough and Zonagen recently signed an agreement to jointly market Vasomax, a drug to treat impotence. McCamant said one of the Dec. 13 presenting companies, ICOS, also will be a player in the impotence treatment field. ''ICOS has a unique new product,'' IC351, in Phase II FDA trial. ''ICOS will be there in that competition,'' he added. Since 1993, Sacramento-based Informed Investors has been linking investors with management of public companies. Informed Investors represents individuals who collectively hold an estimated $1.3 billion in investable assets. Contact: Informed Investors Bob Taylor/Tim Quast/Steve Chanecka, 916/448-8222 or 800/992-4683 More Quotes and News: Alcide Corp (Nasdaq:ALCD - news) Cell Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:CTIC - news) Chiron Corp (Nasdaq:CHIR - news) Corixa Corp (Nasdaq:CRXA - news) Genentech Inc (NYSE:GNE - news) Icos Corp (Nasdaq:ICOS - news) IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corp (Nasdaq:IDPH - news) Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:LGND - news) Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE - news) QLT Phototherapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:QLTIF - news) Schering-Plough Corp (NYSE:SGP - news) Sonus Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq:SNUS - news) Vivus Inc (Nasdaq:VVUS - news) Zonagen Inc (Nasdaq:ZONA - news) Related News Categories: biotech, chemicals, medical/pharmaceutical

To: Andrew H who wrote (11576)	11/25/1997 9:11:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

Reuters is carrying a story on the obesity epidemic and the association with diabetes is also mentioned: W A S H I N G T O N, Nov. 20 - The obesity epidemic has reached crisis proportions across the United States and should be made a national priority. A panel of experts said the Surgeon General's office should set up a task force on obesity, which they said is second only to smoking as a preventable cause of death among Americans. "The rate of obesity has been growing at an alarming rate in recent years, with more than one in three American adults currently classified as overweight or obese," said Dr. James Rippe, chairman of the Interdisciplinary Council on Lifestyle and Obesity Management. "Without a comprehensive plan that addresses the many issues that contribute to the increasing prevalence of this disease, we can only expect that number to grow in the years to come." Obesity Measurement The group, which met in Celebration, Fla., recommended that measures of obesity be included in general health checkups. Body mass index-now used around the world as a standard measure of obesity-should be a standard "vital sign" used along with blood pressure when general physicians check a patient's health, they said in a statement. Body mass index is weight in kilograms squared divided by height in meters. A person is obese if he or she has an index of 30 or above. Someone 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds has an index of 24-bordering on overweight, while someone weighing 20 pounds more would have a body mass index of 37 and be very obese. Other standard measures such as waist-to-hip ratio should also be included, they said. Education Needed People must be encouraged to exercise more and to eat less fat, they said. They also must be educated-and told that even modest weight loss could have a big health impact. Obese people are more than 26 times more likely to have diabetes and 3.5 times more likely to die of heart disease. "To win the war on obesity, we must encourage corporations and schools to offer healthful cafeteria foods as well as wellness and exercise programs," said Dr. Jospeh Scherger of the University of California, Irvine. The council, made up of doctors, public health experts and representatives from companies and managed care organizations, is funded by Hoffman-La Roche Inc.