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

To: carl w. trygstad who wrote (27820)	2/4/1999 7:32:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

carl, Thanks for the support. Speaking of science, VRTX had an interesting press release yesterday. They collaborate with GLX who has an extensive retinoid and TZD program. As you know, part of the LGND collaboration explored rexinoid applications for metabolic pathways associated with cardiovascular problems and obesity. Apparently, many of the PIs used to treat HIV interfere with these metabolic pathways, leading to abnormalities in lipid metabolism. Thus, LGND's rexinoid and TZD programs could have applications for prevention or treatment of metabolic problems associated with HIV treatment, which is becoming increasingly common as the patients live longer. Links to the VRTX info as well as a recent Bloomberg review on PIs can be found on the anti-HIV page under the New Therapeutics section at biocognizance.com

To: carl w. trygstad who wrote (27820)	2/4/1999 8:09:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

The abstract: biocognizance.com indicates that the protease inhibitors were tested for binding to RXRs and well as PPARs (they didn't activate the receptors).

To: carl w. trygstad who wrote (27820)	2/4/1999 8:28:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

Here is a link to the abstract on PIs and retinoid signaling: biocognizance.com Note that abstract begins with a statement on ATRA causing hpertriglycerides. The authors use AGN's anti-retinoid as well as Targretn (LGD1069) in their studies. As I had noted previously, some believe that the side effects of elevated triglycerides associated with Targretin is due to metabolites which activate retinoic acid receptors (Targretin itself is specific for RXRs, but there is some thought that Targretin metabolites can activate RARs, which is only seen in vivo, where the drug is metabolized).

To: carl w. trygstad who wrote (27820)	2/4/1999 8:32:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

Bear Stearns came out with a VERY positive report on LGND this morning.

To: carl w. trygstad who wrote (27820)	2/4/1999 9:09:00 AM
From: PawPr	Respond to of 32384

This physician thinks you're nuts! First of all, topical retinoids are indicated for acne and "photoaging", not for actinic keratoses or skin cancer. And at $1000 a month, who would use Panretin for any of these indications? Meanwhile, the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma has decreased dramatically, and those who do get the condition are effectively treated with protease inhibitors. This is a drug that's going nowhere fast, and if Ligand has to depend on it for revenues they're in big trouble.