husa schreef op 13 maart 2015 17:49:
Summary
Ruconest, Pharming’s HAE drug partnered with Salix, has recorded its first US sales in November 2014 and they might turn out far stronger than expected.
Despite concerns about Ruconest's future arising from Salix’s announced acquisition by Valeant, and now Endo’s counteroffer, everything seems to be going fine and Ruconest will continue to be effectively sold.
Ahead of Q1-2015 results, I believe there is significant short-term upside potential not yet taken into account.
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Pharming Group (OTC:PHGUF) - listed on Euronext Amsterdam - is a little known Dutch specialized biotech developing a promising technology platform addressing many potential indications in lucrative orphan drug markets - see my complete investment thesis here.
Pharming's main value-driver to date is Ruconest, a recombinant treatment for acute Hereditary Angioedema ('HAE') attacks that was approved by the FDA in July 2014 - a $400 million annual market in the US only with very few competition. Ruconest is also currently being tested in a Phase 2b trial in the US for preventive (prophylactic) treatment of HAE, another $400 million market with only one approved competitor to-date (Shire's (NASDAQ:SHPG) drug Cinryze). In both indications, Ruconest is partnered with Salix (NASDAQ:SLXP) for co-development and marketing in North America and Pharming just reported on its first quarter of sales.
In light of recent events ("bidding war") regarding Salix's acquisition - with a proposed offer by Valeant (NYSE:VRX) followed by a counteroffer made by Endo International (NASDAQ:ENDP) - Pharming's stock volatility has been somewhat exacerbated due to uncertainties about Ruconest's future in the US.
So let's take a closer look at what is actually going on with Ruconest, and what difference Salix's acquisition would make in one case or the other.