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Biotech / Medical : Immunex -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Roger Cranwill who wrote (321)	5/12/1999 3:45:00 PM
From: DJ	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 656

Roger, I think this is a classic case of a biotech company that has been R&Ding for years (since 1981) and finally is seeing products come to market. Not atypical in this industry where 10+ years may be needed for product development, even in well-managed companies with top scientists. The interesting question is: since IMNX stock limped along for so long before Enbrel was announced last year, what are the other winning biotechs out there that are in a similar position that IMNX was in in 1998--about to take off. Any insights out there?

To: Roger Cranwill who wrote (321)	5/12/1999 4:37:00 PM
From: Buckeye	Respond to of 656

Right on Maestro . . . you're preaching to the choir but that's o.k. because this move is made to last . . . today's Dear Doctor letter is just another opportunity to get on board . . . the letter is completely routine and will have minimal impact . . . any further info/opinion you have on the asthma drug is greatly appreciated

To: Roger Cranwill who wrote (321)	5/12/1999 4:53:00 PM
From: SEAN007	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 656

Arthritis drug linked to serious infection NEW YORK, May 12 (Reuters Health) -- The recently approved arthritis drug, etanercept (Enbrel), may increase the chance of potentially life-threatening infections in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a warning issued Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drug, a genetically engineered protein, was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The FDA notes that the drug ''can significantly reduce pain and swollen joints in people disabled with RA.'' But it is also known to suppress tumor necrosis factor, an important infection-fighting protein produced by immune system cells. Of an estimated 25,000 people given the drug, 30 have developed serious infections and 6 have died. Although people with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to infections, and many of the patients had a history of chronic infections, the deaths occurred within 2 to 16 weeks after starting treatment with Enbrel. This suggests that ''significant concerns remain that Enbrel may contribute to the occurrence of serious infections,'' according to a statement issued by the FDA. The drug's manufacturer, Immunex Corporation (Nasdaq:IMNX - news) of Seattle, Washington, along with Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is sending a letter to physicians to alert them of the potential risks. Etanercept was approved in November of 1998 for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that usually strikes between the ages of 36 and 50 and is characterized by painful inflammation and joint destruction. At that time, the drug was considered inappropriate for patients with sepsis, a widespread blood infection, or those who developed a serious infection. ''Because of new information obtained from adverse reaction reports to FDA and Immunex, the warning related to sepsis has been expanded to include patients with any active infection, including chronic or localized infections,'' according to the FDA. The agency suggests that doctors use caution in prescribing the drug to patients who are free of infection, but have a history of recurrent infections, or who have underlying conditions, such as diabetes, that increase their infection risk.

To: Roger Cranwill who wrote (321)	5/12/1999 5:13:00 PM
From: Arthur Radley	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 656

Off Topic: Roger, noting that you are a pharmacist, have you heard anything about the new drug Cenestin that was just approved for female hormone treatment. It is produced by DRMD and it appears from conference call today, they expect great things from this new product. It is my understanding that Premarin has this market, so don't think they will unseat them overnight. But with that said, having a drug made from a plant as opposed to being made from horse urine definetely would have some appeal to me. (:>)