I was interested to see the reaction of IMU investors during the recent market correction, in particular their reticence to focus on the Imugene fundamentals, which indeed strengthen and strengthen by the day. Perhaps the chatter, background noise, market hysteria and paranoia all became too much for some, as they sat back and watched their portfolios all but halve in value.
Existing trials
Investors seem to lose sight of the fact that Imugene phase 1 trials and in Hervaxx’s case phase 2 trials have been conducted on late stage cancer patients, with poor prognosis’ at best. Individuals who have failed on other cancer treatment programs and arrived on Imugene’s doorstep as a late resort in many instances. Their immune systems being weak and difficult to fire back up in the fight against cancer. And yet in spite of these setbacks Imugene’s B cell treatments, PD1 Vaxx and Her Vaxx respectively, have not only proven safe, they have been shown to extend life, with some patients experiencing tumour regression and even tumour elimination.
Big Pharma
The subsequent decision by big pharmaceutical companies including Roche, Merck and Pfizer to combine with Imugene’s B cell therapies is a testament to the preclinical and clinical results displayed by Imugene’s immunotherapy treatments. Even more-so, it is a vote of confidence in the innovators and staff present within the Imugene network. Innovators of the ilk of Professor Pravin Kaumaya, responsible for many of the B Cell peptides at the forefront of the Imugene pipeline. These combination therapies are aimed at increasing the safety profile of already existent Big Pharma drugs, such as Tercentriq, Keytruda and Bavencio. Drugs increasing rapidly in sales, now adding to the bottom line of companies such as Roche and Merck, who wish to increase their market share in the lucrative immunotherapy space. The over arching goal is to increase efficacy as well, through the addition of PD1 Vaxx and HerVaxx to their drugs. This increase in efficacy appears eminently achievable, given the clinical trial results of both drugs, wherein efficacy signals have been evident.
Combination trials
The gazetted aforementioned combination trials are set to include not only late stage cancer patients, but early stage cancer patients as well who are recently diagnosed and pre surgery. These patients are flagged to have stronger immune systems than late stage patients who have succumbed to operations, chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Hence the excitement exuded by Imugene CEO Leslie Chong at the prospect of treating earlier stage patients, who have a much better chance of building up their immune systems with the assistance of Imugene’s B cell therapies in combination with Big Pharma’s already successful drugs.
My opinion
I have spoken in previous posts about the reduction in side effects, lower costs and safety profile associated with Imugene’s B cell therapies. All is now in ready for the cleansing of PD1 Vaxx phase 1 data, Her Vaxx phase 2 data, and updates on Imugene’s B Vaxx studies. It would appear as we now come to the pointy end IMU’s B cell platform has many suitors. A fact not overlooked by Imugene’s board, who are eagerly securing patents worldwide to lengthen their B cell’s runway and eventually extend the lifespan of Big Pharma’s dwindling product runways. Are these suitors going to wait for the data to be cleansed before they pull the trigger? I think so. Are they going to wait for the outcome of the combination trials to run their course? I think not. Hence my 2022 price target. Either Merck, Roche or Pfizer are sure to set the cat amongst the pigeons in either the third or fourth quarter this year, otherwise their shareholders are sure to start asking questions, just as many IMU shareholders have during the recent pullback.
Keep your eyes on the sales figures for Tecentriq, Bavencio and Keytruda as they come to light for the 2021 calendar year. And to the year on year increase in sales figures achieved by these drugs. That should give you an indication as to the money involved in this market sector, and to the future purse on offer for those wishing to dance with IMU.
Best of luck to all LTH’s. DYOR and seek investment advice where necessary.
(20min delay)
