ITMN

[eatrader]

Possible news coming on lead Hep-C program.

[kslifka]

ITMN up big after news regarding Hep C drug.  Ironically VRUS was up after positive news regarding its Hep C drug.


ITMN has been beaten down this year dropping from $37 to $13 recently.

AP
InterMune Up on Interim Hepatitis C Data
Monday January 7, 7:01 pm ET
InterMune Shares Rise Sharply As Company Plans to Start Combination Trials of Hep-C Drug

BRISBANE, Calif. (AP) -- Shares of InterMune Inc. spiked 21 percent Monday after the biotechnology company said it will start a 14-day trial of its ITMN-191 chronic hepatitis C drug candidate in combination with Pegasys and ribavirin, based on positive data from an ongoing trial.

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InterMune and development partner Roche are conducting a Phase 1b multiple-ascending-dose clinical trial evaluating the protease inhibitor as a sole treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The company said low dosages of the experimental drug have proven safe and well-tolerated so far, with dose escalation scheduled to continue.

The new triple combination trial will occur parallel to the current study. Dosing levels for the new study weren't disclosed.

Shares rose $5.05, or 37.7 percent, to $18.43 Monday.

InterMune also said it's on track to announce viral action and safety results from at least three arms of the ongoing clinical study later in the first quarter, with full data presented in the second quarter. The ongoing Phase 1b study is designed to help choose the dose of ITMN-191 that when administered in combination with Pegasys and ribavirin, would be most effective in treating hepatitis C.

JPMorgan analyst Richard Smith reiterated an "Overweight" or "Buy" rating on the stock. In a note to clients, he said the news is somewhat mixed, as higher doses are still being tested in the Phase Ib study, but did note that the combination trial launch is positive.

[kslifka]

ITMN moving for it's second day.  I was able to hold this one overnight...but in retrospect I should have held VRUS  

Pretty big short interest on ITMN .

[kslifka]

ITMN may provide some safety in this down market.  VRUS had a spectacular run because of it's Hep C drug data.  ITMN had it's run because of it's Hep C data.

Should get to at least $20.  If it can go higher with some volume we would have a nice break-out.