La opinión de un experto en biotechs. Habla también de otras farmas y lo expone de forma muy sencilla.
http://jutiagroup.com/20120323-looking-for-innovative-small-cap-biotech-companies-george-zavoico/
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TLSR: With your background in biology, I know you like to evaluate unusual technology with broad applications.
GZ: I like to look at the science and see if I can be convinced that it could work. I like companies that are looking at targets that might be more broadly effective and overlooked by others. The best example of that right now is Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. (THLD:NASDAQ). Their TH-302 is a hypoxia (oxygen deficit)-activated prodrug (a molecule activated or metabolized into its active form following administration). The activated drug is bromo-isophosphoramide, which is structurally related to cytotoxic nitrogen mustard drugs. Just about all tumors have regions of hypoxia, where traditional chemotherapy is ineffective because it can’t diffuse into that region. But TH-302 is activated in areas of tumor hypoxia. This is an example of a potentially broadly applicable product.
The company was rewarded with very positive results from a Phase 2b trial in pancreatic cancer, where patients were treated with TH-302 in combination with gemcitabine. The idea here is to use the gemcitabine to kill the cells that are in the normoxic (normally oxygenated) region, and use the TH-302 to reach deep into the tumor to kill the cells that are hypoxic. Results showed a 63% improvement in progression-free survival in patients taking the combination. Pancreatic cancer is exceedingly difficult to treat, and I think there have been no drugs since gemcitabine that have shown any comparable level of efficacy. Of course, the final results are going to be about overall survival.
TLSR: When will we hear about overall survival?
GZ: Those results are going to be reported toward the end of the year.
TLSR: This stock is up 421% over the last 12 weeks. Is it still a Buy?
GZ: I believe so.
TLSR: What positive news spiked Threshold’s stock over the past three months?
GZ: There were two pieces of news. The first, in early February, was an announcement that the company had struck a partnership agreement with Merck KGaA (MKGAY:OTCPK) of Darmstadt, Germany. The total value was over $500 million (M) upfront and in development and commercial milestones. Then there was the data from the pancreatic cancer trial.