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 : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (1018)	11/10/1998 4:10:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

Merck's Vioxx Seen as Effective as Common Arthritis Drug Bloomberg News November 10, 1998, 3:31 p.m. ET Merck's Vioxx Seen as Effective as Common Arthritis Drug San Diego, Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Merck & Co.'s Vioxx, an experimental drug for pain and inflammation, was as effective as a common arthritis medication and has few side effects, according to studies presented today. Merck, the world's largest drugmaker, is trying to catch up with much smaller rival Monsanto Co. in a battle for potential customers for these kinds of experimental arthritis medicines, expected to become the next blockbuster drugs. A 784-patient study showed that Merck's drug works as well as diclofenac, a common arthritis medicine. A study of 672 patients indicates people taking Vioxx were better able to carry out their physical activities. Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, rose 2 3/16 to 147 3/4 in late trading. It earlier touched a record 148 5/8. Simultaneously, Monsanto released research findings on its drug, Celebrex, which could be on the market by early 1999. Merck isn't expected to start sales of its drug, Vioxx, until later next year. Merck's drug, though, is taken just once a day, while Monsanto's is taken twice. That advantage could help Merck catch up. Vioxx and Celebrex are the first of a new class of drugs, the Cox-2 inhibitors. These drugs target the compounds in the body linked to pain and swelling more specifically than do existing painkillers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. The Cox-2 drugs interfere with the production of the enzyme, cyclooxygensase-2, linked to pain and swelling. Advil and ibuprofen, sold as Motrin, interfere with this enzyme and a related one, cyclooxygenase-1, which appears to help protect the stomach from its own acids. As a result, long-term use of existing painkillers causes stomach bleeding in some patients. The Cox-2 drugs are expected to top $1 billion each in annuals sales. Some analysts estimate the drugs could top $5 billion combined in sales. --Jim Finkle in San Diego and Kerry Dooley in Washington through news.com

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (1018)	11/10/1998 4:12:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1722

Monsanto Drug Seen Effective in Arthritis With Few Side Effects Bloomberg News November 10, 1998, 3:31 p.m. ET Monsanto Drug Seen Effective in Arthritis With Few Side Effects San Diego, Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Monsanto Co.'s Celebrex appears to treat arthritis as well as commonly used pain relievers, without their side effects, a new study shows. Monsanto could start sales of Celebrex in early 1999, working with Pfizer Inc. as a marketing partner. Rival Merck & Co., the world's biggest drugmaker, is working on a similar drug, Vioxx. Simultaneously, Merck released new research findings on Vioxx, which isn't expected to start sales until later in 1999. Researchers gave 1,004 patients with arthritis of the knee either Celebrex, Roche Holding AG's Aleve, or placebo. Celebrex was as effective as Aleve and as safe as the placebo, or dummy pill, the researchers said. ''These data indicate that Celebrex is highly efficacious in treating the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and at fully therapeutic doses has a safety/tolerability profile that is similar to placebo,'' the researchers concluded. Monsanto shares rose 7/16 to 39 5/8 in late trading. Merck's Vioxx and Celebrex are the first of a new class of drugs, the Cox-2 inhibitors. These drugs target the compounds in the body linked to pain and swelling more specifically than existing painkillers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. The Cox-2 drugs interfere with the production of the enzyme, cyclooxygensase-2, linked to pain and swelling. Advil, Motrin and other types of ibuprofen interfere with this enzyme and a related one, cyclooxygenase-1, which appears to help protect the stomach from its own acids. As a result, long-term use of existing painkillers causes stomach bleeding and other side effects in some patients. The Cox-2 drugs are expected to top $1 billion each in annuals sales. Some analysts estimate the drugs could top $5 billion combined in sales. For Monsanto, Celebrex is seen as a key product that could help stop a slide in its profits. Monsanto, led by Chief Executive Robert Shapiro, has invested $8 billion in acquiring seed and technology companies over the past two years. Its per- share annual profits are expected to decline until 2000 when Celebrex has its first full year of sales. St. Louis-based Monsanto last month ended a planned $35 million merger with American Home Products. --Jim Finkle in San Diego and Kerry Dooley in Washington through news.com