----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2001 12:44
AM
Subject: Re: [sharechat] Genesis (
NZSE.GEN ) or Peptech ( AX. PTD )
Readers: Please read the Disclaimer at end of
page.
My post of Thursday, 27 Sept. 2001, refers.
It lists some websites, including PTD's. Another web page from PTD:
This discusses TNF ( Tumour
Necrosis Factor ). This is a pro-inflammatory molecule which plays a role in a
wide range of diseases, including Rheumatoid arthritus and Crohn's Disease.
The Peptech anti-TNF proteins
are used in the treatment of these diseases.
PTD (Peptech) started TNF research in
1988 and the current patent portfolio is
attracting attention as these provide entry points for further
developments.
PTD is now waiting on the possible granting of an
important US patent,
possibly, later in October.
They also develop Animal Health
products.
Of great interest is PTD's up to 36% holding
of Diversys, a well known company in Cambridge. This
company developed the single domain antibody
which is only 10% size of a normal antibody ( full domain); referring to
the relevant patents:
The company says: " These Patents are
incredibly relevant to anyone creating antibodies, antibody fragments or
single domains in a test tube and are therefore of tremendous
commercial value to Diversys.
"Single domains
represent the basic building blocks of antibodies and it should be possible to
string them in many different ways to make a wide variety of
products".
" The ability of single domains to bind the
active sites of enzymes and receptors may make them particularly useful for
blocking viral and bacterial infections as well as for the treatment of many
human diseases".
The following quoted comments are from the
CEO of PTD, Mr. Stephen
Kwik, FCA :
" These antibodies will need smaller dosages
and as the present cost of these medications is high, more people could afford
to buy these drugs. There is also less wastage".
" This is significant because this smaller
antibody can penetrate easier and
therefore can be applied as a cream, through slow release direct injection,
inhalers and eye-drops."
" For example, ' Remicade' can treat eye disease
and we feel that by delivering the single
domain TNF antibody with eyedrops would be more effective
than with a drip, as is currently the case." ( Using a full domain
antibody ).
Diversys has been asked by
PTD to develop single domain antibodies against TNF; these
will become the exclusive property of PTD. "
The TNF alpha drug we would be working on, has a market reach including the
treatment of Arthritus, Crohn's Disease, Asthma and many other
diseases".
Question: " If this drug will be in the
pre-clinical stage by the 2nd quarter of 2002, how long will it take
to get it through to commercial viability?"
PTD: " Depending on how 1st stage clinical trials
go and generally speaking, we will be looking at commercialisation for
royalties within 3 years ( 2004/2005 )".
PTD also receives ongoing royalty from Centocor
and Knoll who were granted a licence for the use of one patent.
Knoll's clinical III trial data of a
monoclonal antibody against TNF, drug: " D2E7 " is highly promising.
It could reap a solid market share in the inflammation related
diseases for Knoll. This drug is described as the crown jewel of Knoll's
pipeline and could achieve peak sales of Euros 1 billion.
PTD will also be looking
for royalties from this drug within the next 2 to 3
years.
It is highly likely that PTD's future income will be from ever increasing
royalties streams and also from advanced products developed by them and
clinically trialled:
" If we were to take the pre-clinical drug
technology to a clinical trials stage, we would be obtaining a double digit
royalty ( about 20% ).
"In terms of royalty of say 20% on the estimated
$US 10 bill. Single Domain TNF antibodies market by 2005, the revenues
Peptech (PTD) can receive, will be considerable."
PTD: Financial year
ends on Sept. 30. Shares: 146 mill. No debt. Retained profits:$ A 65
mill. Ongoing royalties keep coming in!
Those are my opinions!
Gerry
Holds PTD and thinks that PTD
and Diversys are a perfect
combination. Also, at the current price of $ A 2.30, PTD could
be a better investment than GEN ($ A 2.30). PTD could become a
takeover proposition.
Disclaimer: I cannot be held
responsible for any omissions, misstatements or any misinterpretations by
myself or any reader, in this post. This post is not a substitute for the
contents of the PTD web site and the reader must go back to that site to
obtain the true statements or facts or any other matter pertaining to
PTD. Much content of this post is from announcements made by
PTD and from one interview and may not be on the PTD web site.
Readers are not asked to buy, hold or sell the somewhat speculative PTD shares
and to do so will be entirely at their own risk. I do not work for
PTD.