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 : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: VLAD who wrote (13089)	8/11/1998 11:48:00 PM
From: BigKNY3	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 23519

Vlad <<There is only one way Vivus will be able to get the domestic script numbers up to par and that is with a strong domestic partner. I know it, you know it, Vivus knows it, we all know it. Evidently this is exactly what Vivus is working on as I type. J&J has a bigger sales force than Pfizer and I would expect script numbers to reach that old level within 3 to 4 months after they take over.>> Vlad: I agree with you that VVUS needs a partner to even attempt to regain its specification levels. FYI, PFE has the second largest field force in Big Pharma (4,500) as compared to J&J's 2,800. MRK is currently #1. Concerning, J&J as a potential partner. I believe the interest in partnering with VVUS is remote. J&J is a big Big Pharma with estimated 1998 earnings of $3.5 billion on revenue of $22.7 billion. techstocks.com Why would J&J be interested in sharing the profits of a product that has potential sales of $100 to $200 million per year and profits of $30-$50 million ... that will require extensive field time in an evolving market? Today's, Big Pharma are looking to partner only on blockbusters with potential sales of $1 billion per year in untapped markets. ie antiarthritic market. They are divesting "smaller" products ...not partnering for "small products". Moreover, in the early 1990s, J&J had one of the patents in transurethral delivery and decided not to pursue the technology ...and ended up selling the patent to a company that starts with a V. A partner may be out there somewhere...but it won't be an easy sell to Big Pharma companies that already have their 1998-2000 plans already in place with existing product lines and new product launches. Good luck! BigKNY3