Earlier on today I copied and nearly posted the following two paragraphs from the half year report as, on reading them, they indicated to me that BTA/DS have no intention of signing a ROW deal for Lani. Other posters have also suggested the same. One way or another, with or without BARDA funding, BTA/DS will be conducting Phase 111 trials themselves in the west. Much larger profits margins from maufacturing and selling the product yourselve compared with a small royalty (7% for Relenza, 4% for Japan Lani, etc.).:
"The launch of Inavir in Japan presents the Company with a unique opportunity. The Chairman and CEO have committed considerable time, including two visits to the US, to meet with US advisors to develop a number of alternative options to maximise the product??s value for shareholders. The options considered have been quite far ranging and include amongst others, alternatives to Biota??s traditional early licensing model. Inavir provides a substantially de-risked position for a Rest of World launch, given its commercial introduction in the Japanese market. A product launch in the Rest of World requires western clinical studies (in addition to the Japanese trials) and the feasibility of Biota taking the product further into this process to capture greater value is well in hand. Inavir represents a very different risk profile compared to previous Biota products at a similar stage of development and market entry. In addition, repositioning the Company into the USA and mechanisms by which that might occur are also amongst the options being considered within the current work program;
?h Biota has also continued to work hard on the option of securing agency funding to complete the majority of the development programs necessary to achieve registration of laninamivir in key western markets. The timelines advised late last year remain current but it must be recognised, agencies operate to their own timelines and may have changing priorities. The value of such non-dilutive funds, assuming success, cannot be over stressed;"
Regards
SP
BTA Price at posting:
$1.28 Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
