Biotest .... Turnaround des Jahres 2004 (Seite 401)

[Joschka Schröder]

Kehrtwende in der Auseinandersetzung zwischen Biotest und Nabi.

Biotest im Rückwärtsgang.



Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Announces Withdrawal of Biotest's Indemnification Claim
$4.5 Million of Escrowed Funds Released to Nabi

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:NABI) today announced that Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation has withdrawn and released a claim representing $50.4 million of the original $56 million indemnification claims made on March 31, 2009 against Nabi, and together with Nabi has instructed the escrow agent to release $4.5 million of the funds held in escrow to support indemnification claims. The withdrawn claim related to a contract assigned to Biotest when it purchased our biologics business unit in 2007.

The remaining indemnification claim made by Biotest in March relates to local permits for construction of our manufacturing facility in Boca Raton, which was transferred to Biotest as part of the biologics business sale. This claim, for which Biotest estimated its losses at approximately $5.7 million, remains outstanding. We believe that Biotest's estimated losses based on the permit-related claim are speculative and appear to be based on claimed delays that have yet to occur. We continue to deny any liability with respect to this claim and will vigorously contest and defend against this claim and seek release of the remaining $5.7 million of escrowed funds. Based on the information we have received to date from Biotest and after consultation with our outside legal counsel, we believe that Biotest's permit-related claim is unsubstantiated.

About Nabi Biopharmaceuticals

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals leverages its experience and knowledge in powering the immune system to develop products that target serious medical conditions in the areas of nicotine addiction and gram-positive bacterial infections. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is currently developing NicVAX(r) (Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine), an innovative and proprietary investigational vaccine for treatment of nicotine addiction and prevention of smoking relapse, and PentaStaph(tm) (Pentavalent S. aureus Vaccine), a vaccine designed to prevent the most dangerous and prevalent strains of S. aureus bacterial infections. The company is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For additional information about Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, please visit our Web site:http://www.nabi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical are forward-looking statements and include statements about products in development, results and analyses of clinical trials and studies, research and development expenses, cash expenditures, licensure applications and approvals, and alliances and partnerships, among other matters. You can identify these forward-looking statements because they involve our expectations, intentions, beliefs, plans, projections, anticipations, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of any number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to our ability to: successfully partner with third parties to fund, develop, manufacture and/or commercialize our products in development; defend against indemnification claims by Biotest; initiate and conduct clinical trials and studies; raise sufficient new capital resources to fully develop and commercialize our products in development; attract, retain and motivate key employees; collect further milestone and royalty payments under the PhosLo Agreement; obtain regulatory approval for our products in the U.S. or other markets; successfully contract with third party manufacturers for the manufacture and supply of NicVAX and PentaStaph; and comply with reporting and payment obligations under government rebate and pricing programs. Some of these factors are more fully discussed, as are other factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 28, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Nabi Biopharmaceuticals
Investor Relations
301-770-3099
www.nabi.com

[JuliusE]

Das Trastuzumab-DM 1-Konjugat, das von Genentech und Immunogen gegenwärtig in einer Phase II-Studie gegen Brustkrebs getestet wird, zeigt wohl sehr ansprechende (Zwischen-) Ergebnisse.

Bleibt zu hoffen, dass das Konjugat von Immunogen (DM 4?) und dem BT-062-Antikörper von Biotest ähnlich gut wirkt. Wenigstens zeigen die veröffentlichen Zwischenergebnisse von Immunogen zu T-DM1 und Biotest anlässlich der Hauptversammlung, dass das Konzept der Verbindung von spezifischem Antikörper und hochpotentem Zellgift sinnvoll und aussichtsreich ist.

Hier die Pressemeldung:


ImmunoGen, Inc. Announces Encouraging Trastuzumab-DM1 Phase II Clinical Findings Presented at ASCO

WALTHAM, Mass. & ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 30, 2009-- ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics, today announced the presentation of encouraging trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) clinical data at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) taking place in Orlando, Florida.

T-DM1, an antibody-drug conjugate, consists of ImmunoGen’s DM1 cancer-cell killing agent linked to the HER2-targeted antibody, trastuzumab, developed by Genentech, Inc. (a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group). Genentech (US) and Roche (ex-US) are conducting a broad clinical program with T-DM1 in HER2-positive breast cancer.

“These findings are particularly impressive because of the number of patients with advanced breast cancer who responded to treatment with T-DM1, the duration of their response, and the tolerability profile reported,” commented Daniel Junius, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We developed our Targeted Antibody Payload, or TAP, technology to achieve highly effective, well-tolerated cancer treatments, and are very encouraged by the results reported.”

Today’s presentation, “A phase II study of trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1), a HER2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC): final results” (abstract #1017), features updated data from the first T-DM1 Phase II trial. This non-pivotal trial evaluated T-DM1 in patients with HER2-positive MBC that had progressed on a regimen containing trastuzumab (Herceptin®). Sixty percent of the 112 study patients also had been treated with a regimen containing lapatinib (Tykerb®).

Among the findings presented were:

* 25 percent of patients had a confirmed objective response as assessed by an independent review facility (IRF), the primary endpoint of the study. Among these 28 patients, 22 were still receiving T-DM1 at the time of data cut-off for presentation;
* 35 percent of patients had clinical benefit by IRF that consisted of either a confirmed objective response or stable disease lasting for at least 6 months; and
* The anti-tumor activity seen in patients who had received lapatinib as well as trastuzumab was similar to that seen in the overall study population.

Among the 75 efficacy-evaluable patients who were verified to be HER2-positive by a central laboratory:

* 32 percent had a confirmed objective response by IRF; and
* 44 percent had clinical benefit by IRF consisting of either a confirmed objective response or stable disease lasting for at least 6 months.

The most common severe (Grade 3 or 4) adverse events were hypokalemia (lowered potassium levels) in 8 percent of patients and thrombocytopenia (lowered platelet levels) in 7 percent of patients. No severe (Grade 3 or 4) cardiac-specific toxicity was observed. One patient died during the study due to disease progression, unrelated to treatment with T-DM1.

In February 2009, Genentech and Roche initiated the global Phase III EMILIA study evaluating T-DM1 for second-line treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. Additionally, Genentech recently completed patient enrollment in a Phase II study evaluating T-DM1 for third-line treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer. Genentech has stated that, if the data from this study are compelling, it will discuss an earlier approval path with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

About ImmunoGen, Inc.

ImmunoGen, Inc. develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its expertise in cancer biology, monoclonal antibodies and the creation and linkage of

[H.Dent]

Die Insider kaufen weiter.

Mitteilung über Geschäfte von Führungspersonen nach § 15 a WpHG

Transaktion:
Datum Art Ort Kurs/Preis Währung Stückzahl Gesamtvol.
28.05.2009 Kauf Stuttgart 33,48 EUR 650 21762,00

Mitteilungspflichtiger:
Name/Gesellschaft Grund Funktion
Rolf Dr. Vornhagen
Biotest Medical Diagnostics GmbH Person mit Führungsaufgaben Direktor

Basisdaten:
Bezeichnung des Finanzinstrumentes: Vorzugsaktien
ISIN DE0005227235
Emittent: Biotest AG
Landsteinerstraße 5
63303 Dreieich
Deutschland



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Transaktion:
Datum Art Ort Kurs/Preis Währung Stückzahl Gesamtvol.
27.05.2009 Kauf Stuttgart 33,58 EUR 650 21827,00

Mitteilungspflichtiger:
Name/Gesellschaft Grund Funktion
Joachim Dr. Herborg
Biotest AG Person mit Führungsaufgaben Spartenleiter Marketing und Vertrieb

Basisdaten:
Bezeichnung des Finanzinstrumentes: Vorzugsaktien
ISIN DE0005227235
Emittent: Biotest AG
Landsteinerstraße 5
63303 Dreieich
Deutschland

[JuliusE]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.269.016 von Joschka Schröder am 28.05.09 09:10:44

An eventual sale of Talecris to one of CSL’s smaller rivals, such as Octopharma or Grifols, could turn it into a stronger competitor against CSL.


Ein Kauf von Talecris durch Octapharma oder Grifols. Ist das realistisch ? Immerhin wären über 3 Milliarden Dollar zu finanzieren, auch wenn z.B Octapharma eine äußerst solide Bilanz hat.

Trotzdem: Wenn eines dieser Unternehmen eine Finanzierung darstellen könnte, dann wohl auch Biotest (nicht dass ich das für gut hielte, da Talecris ein von seinen private-equity-Investoren ziemlich ausgepowertes Unternehmen mit hohen Verbindlichkeiten ist).

[StefanR]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.266.715 von Syrtakihans am 27.05.09 21:01:21

@syrtakihans

Du hast recht, am 15.5.09 gab es eine ca. 6%ige Preiserhöhung. Die Lauer-Preise sind jedoch, wie schon erwähnt, nur teilweise aussagefähig. Direktgroßhänler geben hierauf noch Rabatte, je nach Marktlage.
Bei Albuminen sind diese Rabatte höher, bei Intratect bei den Direktgrossisten nur 3%.
Klinikpreise und -rabatte sind dann noch "aggressiver" gestaltet.
Dennoch - die Preiserhöhung deutet darauf hin, daß Intratect weiterhin gefragt ist. (Pentaglobin wurde zum 1.1.09 erhöht).

Viele Grüsse, StefanR

[Joschka Schröder]

US blocks CSL’s $3.1bn bid for Talecris

By Julie MacIntosh in New York and Peter Smith in Sydney

Published: May 28 2009 00:21 | Last updated: May 28 2009 06:24

The US Federal Trade Commission authorised a lawsuit to block the proposed $3.1bn acquisition of Talecris, a US plasma provider, by Australia’s CSL, over concerns that the deal would hurt competition and violate US antitrust laws.

The merger would shrink the number of competitors for key plasma products in US markets and leave CSL and Baxter, its key rival, with more than 80 per cent market share in some products, the FTC said.

An FTC complaint said that plasma providers have used the significant consolidation of the industry over the past two decades “as a tool to limit supply and drive higher prices, rather than to provide benefits for consumers.”

CSL on Thursday responded by saying it would “vigorously oppose” the FTC’s actions and attacked the regulator for failing to “recognise that this combination is pro-competitive”.

The Australian company added the FTC had not taken into account the “substantial remedies” offered to address the regulators concerns about plasma supply.

“I’m particularly surprised and disappointed with the commission’s theory that there is any coordination in the plasma industry,” Brian McNamee, CSL chief executive said. “This sector is intensely competitive with manufacturers rapidly expanding.”

CSL met the FTC’s commissioners last week to lobby for the deal by touting its benefits to customers, and it suggested ways to fix the deal to enable approval.

Such remedies may still be possible, but because they often require acquirers to sell significant chunks of their operations, such an arrangement may not be palatable to CSL.

CSL can choose to challenge the FTC in court, as natural grocery chain Whole Foods did when the FTC decided its deal to buy smaller rival Wild Oats would reduce competition in key markets.

Whole Foods and the FTC settled in March, long after the 2007 deal was actually completed, with Whole Foods agreeing to sell the Wild Oats brand and a range of stores.

Several analysts cut their target price for CSL shares after the company said earlier this week that the deal could be blocked. An eventual sale of Talecris to one of CSL’s smaller rivals, such as Octopharma or Grifols, could turn it into a stronger competitor against CSL.

However, many analysts remained positive on the stock, and expected CSL to focus on other ways to deploy its capital if it backs away from the deal.

Talecris, if it hopes to rebound from the setback, may eventually need to find another buyer. The company is owned by private equity firms Cerberus and Ampersand, which purchased the business from Germany’s Bayer in 2005 for $303.5m.

The firms filed to take Talecris public in 2007 but decided last year to sell it instead.

The FTC’s move illustrates a situation in which private equity owners worked to significantly expand a company only to have that expansion prove disastrous to their attempts to later exit their investment by selling the business.

The FTC said the deal was “particularly concerning because Talecris was undergoing substantial expansion that – absent the acquisition – would have increased availability and lowered prices of these life-saving drugs.”

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

[Syrtakihans]

Stelle gerade fest, dass Internet-Apotheken für Intratect höhere Preise verlangen (andere Biotest-Produkte unverändert). Konnte am Markt etwa eine Preiserhöhung durchgesetzt werden? - zumindest wäre dieses den Formulierungen im Q1-Bericht nach so nicht unbedingt zu erwarten gewesen. @StefanR Was sagt denn Lauer-Fischer momentan?

[JuliusE]

Der CSL/Talecris-Deal scheint nun wohl tatsächlich von der FTC blockiert zu werden. Morgen soll die Entscheidung bekannt gegeben werden. In der australischen Presse scheint man nicht ganz unglücklich über dieses Ergebnis zu sein. Jedenfalls wird jetzt spekuliert, dass CSL zu einem Übernahmekandidaten werden könnte. Allerdings zu einem Preis von jenseits von 60 aus$. Zur Zeit steht CSL bei etwas über 30 aus$.

Dürfte wohl unrealistisch sein. Ein Käufer aus der Plasmaprotein-Branche selbst käme wohl nicht in Betracht, da sich ähnliche kartellrechtliche Probleme ergeben würden und ob sich bei der gegenwärtigen Lage der Finanzmärkte ein private-equity-Investor finden würde, der bereit oder in der Lage wäre, knapp 100% auf den gegenwärtigen Kurs draufzulegen, halte ich auch für fraglich.

Schon jetzt ist das Bewertungsniveau von CSL ja wesentlich höher als das von Biotest.

Hier der kurze Artikel:

CSL (CSL) $30.35

WHERE'S the fairness in free trade? We let our American friends buy the Victa lawnmower brand and our Government distributes the American-owned Tamiflu flu drug in preference to Biota's Relenza. Then by way of gratitude, the Washington pen pushers block CSL's proposed purchase of US plasma rival Talecris Biotherapeutics.

Just quietly, we suspect the Federal Trade Commission has a point in that the $US3.1 billion ($3.9 billion) purchase would have reduced five global plasma players to four and delivered a Dracula's share of the US market to CSL.

Technically, the FTC's commissioners make their decision on Thursday, which leaves time for CSL chief Brian McNamee to plead his case. But the merger was announced back in August and so far he's resisted pressure for value-eroding concessions such as ceding US distribution rights.

CSL shares lost 54c (1.7 per cent), but yesterday's hitch looks to be more a case of a lost opportunity, rather than a body blow. CSL shares have underperformed since March, partly on anticipation and partly because defensive shares have fallen from favour.

CSL faces a $US75 million break free, but it's not all bad. As CSL has already raised $1.9billion to fund the deal, shareholders can look forward to that rare phenomenon of a share buyback. CSL has already converted much of the capital into greenbacks. At the time of the deal the merger was valued at $3.48 billion; now it's more like $3.97 billion.

The Talecris purchase would have enhanced CSL's pricing power and achieved $US225 million of annual synergy benefits. Washington's knockback is likely to renew scuttlebutt that current management will be a seller rather than a buyer. A bid would make a fitting swansong for McNamee, but forget about anything south of $60 a share.

Criterion had CSL as a long-term buy at $36.60 in February. We retain the call, but the high-PE stock is prone to wobblies from, say, poor sales of its Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine.

[e-mail]

[Joschka Schröder]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.252.610 von S.Feier am 26.05.09 13:55:21

"Sollte der geplante Kauf des US-Blutplasmaherstellers Talecris durch den australischen Konkurrenten CSL von den US-Kartellbehörden tatsächlich gestoppt werden, hätte Biotest wieder mehr Preissetzungsmacht"

[S.Feier]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 37.251.259 von Joschka Schröder am 26.05.09 11:34:14

...dazu die Expertin:


26.05.2009 13:25
UniCredit belässt Biotest auf 'Hold' - Ziel 35 Euro
UniCredit hat die Einstufung für Biotest (News/Aktienkurs) vor dem Hintergrund einer stockenden Übernahme von Talecris durch CSL auf "Hold" mit einem Kursziel von 35,00 Euro belassen. Sollte der geplante Kauf des US-Blutplasmaherstellers Talecris durch den australischen Konkurrenten CSL von den US-Kartellbehörden tatsächlich gestoppt werden, hätte Biotest wieder mehr Preissetzungsmacht, schrieb Analystin Silke Stegemann in einer Studie vom Dienstag. Damit könnte auch der deutsche Pharma- und Diagnostik-Spezialist wieder in den Fokus als Übernahmekandidat rücken, glaubt die Expertin.