Ariad: Ruhe vor dem Sturm? - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[gholzbauer]

Gegenüber den anderen Genomik-Unternehmen (MLNM,HGSI,INCY,CRA,ABSC,AFFX,....) hat Ariad die letzten Wochen etwas Nachholpotenzial aufgebaut. (Na gut, man könnte auch sagen, Ariad hat underperformt, aber dieses Wort kann ich nicht leiden.) Das liegt zum großen Teil sicherlich daran, daß der Markt davon ausgeht, Ariads Produkte wären noch weit von der Marktreife entfernt. Was die GvHD-(Graft versus Host Disease), Osteoporose-, EPO-und Protein-Projekte betrifft, mag das stimmen. Dennoch denke ich, Ariads RAPID- und ARGENT-Technologien können eine bedeutende Rolle in der Genomik-Forschung spielen. Das Potenzial, das sich aus entsprechenden Lizenzzahlungen ergibt, wird meiner Meinung nach zur Zeit völlig unterschätzt, wenn nicht sogar ganz ignoriert. Immerhin nutzen bereits über 275 Labors weltweit die Ariad-Technik. Werden diese Chancen erst einmal von den Analysten entdeckt, können wir die alten Höchstkurse von 48 $ vielleicht in diesem Jahr noch sehen.

[Kimi]

Hallo gholzbauer,
na ja ob es dieses jahr noch mal 48 werden ? - ich würde mich freuen. Jedenfalls ist Ariad heute in den Russel 3000 und den Russel 2000 für Small-Caps aufgenommen worden.
Ansonsten stimmt i.A. einfach das Momentum nicht. Das Kauf/Verkauf Ratio sieht nach wie vor schlecht aus. Wird Zeit für die nächste wirklich bedeutende Meldung.
Gruß
Kimi

[gholzbauer]

Hat heute schon zufälligerweise jemand versucht, das Interview mit dem Ariad-Chef auf www.wallstreetreporter.com anzuhören? Bei mir funktioniert das nicht, wäre für Tips dankbar.

[gholzbauer]

"We are the only company with the technology that with a small molecule you can turn genes and proteins on and off and regulate the way they function. That is going to create real value as the human genome is sequenced, as we need to understand the function of each of these genes."
Harvey J. Berger MD, Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[puhvogel]

Hi G Holzbauer

erst einmal Gratulation zu deinem guten Aktienwahl-Näschen.
Bei CVTX kann ich mir selber in den Hintern treten, denn die Meldung des ersten Phase3 Trials damals habe ich wohl gelesen, verstanden bloss nicht.
Eine Frage habe ich zu Deiner Ausführung weiter oben. Wieso machst Du aus ARIAD ein Genomics-Wert?
Ich sehe nach oberflächlicher Betrachtung der Homepage in Ariad eher einen Gentherapiewert, oder habe ich mich da total verguckt?
Der Puhvogel

[gholzbauer]

Seit dem Verkauf der 50%-Beteiligung an dem gemeinsam mit Aventis/Hoechst betriebenen Genomik-Forschungszentrum im letzten Herbst ist dieser Bereich bei Ariad jetzt nicht mehr so stark präsent, Ariad kann aber die bis dahin gewonnenen Erkenntnisse weiter verwenden. Des weiteren können die Argent- und Rapid-Technologien dazu eingesetzt werden, bestimmte, auf ihre Funktion zu untersuchende Gene gezielt an- und auszuschalten, sogar das Ausmaß der Genexpression ist dosierbar. Dies ist meiner Meinung nach ein wichtiges Werkzeug, um zu testen, welche Gene für welche Auswirkungen verantwortlich sind, darum geht es schließlich bei der Entschlüsselung des Genoms. Gentherapie an/mit bereits erforschten Gensequenzen und Genomikforschung sind verschiedene Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von Argent/Rapid.

[gholzbauer]

Ariad Announces Broad Patent On Family of Novel Genomic Targets for Drugs to Treat Autoimmune and Cardiac Diseases
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug 2, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Genes regulating human immune response and development
of cardiac hypertrophy covered
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced the issuance of a broad U.S. patent (6,096,515) covering a family of drug discovery targets known collectively as "NF-AT". These novel genes play a key role in the signal transduction pathways that regulate the immune response and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Small-molecule inhibition of specific NF-AT genes should lead to innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases, organ transplant rejection, and congestive heart failure, without many of the toxicities of currently marketed drugs for these indications.

NF-AT controls T-cell activation by regulating the transcription of the interleukin-2 gene, a critical growth factor involved in immune function. Activation of the immune system through the NF-AT pathway is part of the body`s normal defense mechanism against foreign pathogens. Uncontrolled activation of T cells can cause autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. An immune response to transplanted organs or bone marrow also can lead to tissue rejection requiring immunosuppression. Similarly, activation of a specific NF-AT pathway in cardiac cells can result in inappropriate thickening of the heart walls, known as left ventricular hypertrophy, often leading to congestive heart failure and death.

"Issuance of this fundamental patent further solidifies ARIAD`s proprietary position in drug discovery based on inhibiting signal transduction targets," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. "Given the well-defined role of NF-AT in autoimmune and cardiac diseases and ARIAD`s dominant intellectual property position relating to these validated targets, we plan to license this technology to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies pursuing the discovery of drugs targeting NF-AT genes. We anticipate that this will provide another source of revenues derived from our core technology platforms."

The new ARIAD patent (U. S. Patent No. 6,096,515) is available on the world wide web at http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD Reports 50% Reduction in Second Quarter Operating Loss
Recent Corporate Achievements Summarized
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug 3, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today reported a net loss of $3.2 million or $.12 per share for the second quarter of 2000, a reduction of $3.2 million or 50% from the net loss of $6.4 million or $.29 per share reported for the second quarter of 1999.

At June 30, 2000, the Company reported cash and marketable securities of $41.8 million and working capital of $38.7 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $28.3 million and working capital of $22.7 million at December 31,1999.

Research revenue for the second quarter of 2000 decreased to $18,000 from the $2,724,000 recognized for the same period in 1999. This decrease is due to the sale in December 1999 of the Company`s 50% interest in the Hoechst-ARIAD Genomics Center, LLC (the "Genomics Center") to Aventis Pharmaceuticals and the acquisition of technology rights in a 1995 Osteoporosis Collaboration which resulted in the termination of research services provided to the Genomics Center, as well as research revenue recognized under the Osteoporosis Collaboration. As part of the restructuring of these agreements, ARIAD received all of the rights to its osteoporosis product candidates and technologies developed as part of the collaboration.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2000 decreased to $2.9 million from $7.8 million reported for the second quarter of 1999. This reduction of $4.9 million or 62% is due primarily to the termination of research services provided to the Genomics Center effective December 1999. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter decreased to $666,000 from $884,000 reported for the second quarter of 1999, primarily due to decreased legal and professional fees.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, ARIAD reported revenues of $126,000, a decrease of $7.2 million from the $7.3 million reported for the same period in 1999. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, ARIAD reported research and development expenses of $5.8 million, down $10.2 million from the $16.0 million reported for the same period in 1999.

The Company reported a net loss, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in 1999, of $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and $10.9 million for the corresponding period in 1999 or $.27 and $.50 per share, respectively. After such cumulative effect, the Company incurred a loss of $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 1999 or $.52 per share.

On June 27, 2000, ARIAD entered into a definitive agreement with Acqua Wellington North American Equities Fund, Ltd. for an equity financing facility covering the sale of up to $75 million of the Company`s common stock over an eighteen month period. In addition, ARIAD sold to Acqua Wellington 680,851 shares of its registered common stock for $8 million in a direct equity placement at $11.75 per share.

"Our enhanced financial results coupled with our recent financings with Acqua Wellington put ARIAD in an excellent position to further accelerate the development of our lead product candidates and to enter into beneficial corporate partnerships," said Harvey J. Berger, chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.


Recent corporate achievements included:
--Initiation of Phase 2 clinical trials of the ARGENT(TM)
graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) product at the Hospital San
Raffaele in Milan, a leading European bone marrow transplant
center.
--Expansion of the ongoing collaboration with the gene therapy and
cell transplantation program at the Hospital San Raffaele in
the development of new regulated gene therapies and licensing
of their cell sorting and vector manufacturing technologies.
--Presentation at the American Society of Gene Therapy meeting of
results of the Phase 1 clinical trial of AP1903, the
small-molecule drug used as part of the GvHD product,
highlighting the favorable safety and pharmacokinetics profile
of the drug.
--Presentation of a new advance in the development of regulated
cell therapy using the ARGENT system to control the growth of
liver cells in culture, making possible transplantation of
engineered liver cells to treat chronic hepatic diseases.
--Presentation of continued progress with ARIAD`s orally active
protein therapy using ARGENT and adeno-associated virus
vectors, showing that the natural level and kinetics of
protein production could be reproduced with regulated gene
therapy.
--Publication of the benefits of ARIAD`s RAPID(TM) gene regulation
technology for use in proteomics and genomics in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA,
demonstrating that the location and activity of proteins in
cells could be altered with unprecedented speed.
--Issuance of the first foreign patents covering ARGENT and RAPID
gene regulation technologies.
--Inclusion of ARIAD in the newly reconstituted Russell 3000 Index
and the widely used Russell 2000 Index of small-cap companies.
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

Some of the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company`s preclinical studies, the ability of the Company to conduct clinical trials of its products and the results of such trials, as well as risks and uncertainties relating to economic conditions, markets, products, competition, intellectual property, services and prices, key employees, future capital needs, dependence on our collaborators and other factors under the heading "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in ARIAD`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


ARIAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
-------------------------- --------------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Revenue:
Research revenue
(principally
related parties
in 1999) $ 18,029 $ 2,723,576 $ 126,153 $ 7,306,473
Interest
income 452,281 143,405 759,216 316,296
Total
revenue 470,310 2,866,981 885,369 7,622,769
Operating
expenses:
Research and
development 2,936,245 7,824,038 5,834,893 15,970,466
General and
administrative 666,333 884,343 1,643,452 1,614,590
Interest
expense 57,384 91,465 119,049 197,246
Total
operating
expenses 3,659,962 8,799,846 7,597,394 17,782,302
Equity in net
loss of
Genomics
Center 427,711 765,750
Loss before
cumulative
effect of
change in
accounting
principle (3,189,652) (6,360,576) (6,712,025) (10,925,283)
Cumulative
effect of
change in
accounting
principle 364,388
Net loss (3,189,652) (6,360,576) (6,712,025) (11,289,671)
Accretion cost
attributable
to redeemable
convertible
preferred cost 62,329 123,973
Net loss
attributable
to common
stockholders $ (3,189,652) $ (6,422,905) $ (6,712,025) $(11,413,644)
Per common
share (basic
and diluted):
Loss
attributable
to common
stock holders
before
cumulative
effect of
change in
accounting
principle $ (.12) $ (.29) $ (.27) $ (.50)
Cumulative
effect of
change in
accounting
principle (.02)
Net loss $ (.12) $ (.29) $ (.27) $ (.52)
Weighted
average
number of
shares of
common
stock
outstanding 25,549,363 22,004,467 24,635,901 21,984,138

ARIAD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(Unaudited)

June 30, December 31,
2000 1999
----------- -----------
Cash and marketable securities $41,756,960 $28,319,870
Net fixed assets 2,828,677 3,334,353
Other assets 6,310,130 12,581,790
Total assets $50,895,767 $44,236,013
Bank debt $ 2,500,000 $ 3,100,000
Other liabilities 3,396,398 5,998,126
Total liabilities 5,896,398 9,098,126
Redeemable convertible preferred stock 8,070,415
Stockholders` equity 44,999,369 27,067,472
Total liabilities and stockholders`
equity $50,895,767 $44,236,013

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[gholzbauer]

Das neue Patent scheint niemanden vom Hocker zu reißen.
Fast keine Einnahmen im letzten Quartal. Das macht sich nicht besonders gut.
Ich werde zunehmend pessimistisch, was das Erreichen des alten Hochs noch in diesem Jahr angeht.
Bei Ragingbull meinte jemand, CRA könnte Interesse an ARIA haben.
Mir wäre es nicht recht, wenn irgendwer ARIA jetzt billig abstauben würde.

gholzbauer

[gholzbauer]

Das ist allerdings ein Grund zu hoffen:

"--Publication of the benefits of ARIAD`s RAPID(TM) gene regulation
technology for use in proteomics and genomics in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA,
demonstrating that the location and activity of proteins in
cells could be altered with unprecedented speed."

[lou]

gholzbauer,

275 Labore sollen mit der Ariad-Technologie arbeiten. Nenne mir lediglich 10. Wuerde schaetzen, dass vielleicht weltweit 275 Labore
an regulierter Genexpression arbeiten, aber nur ein winziger Bruchteil mit der von Ariad lizenzierten Technologie.

Ariad in einem Atemzug mit AFFX oder CRA zu erwaehnen, hinkt auch etwas. Wie viele Mitarbeiter hat Ariad Deiner Meinung nach? Im
wissenschaftlichen Bereich reichen bestimmt zwei Haende aus, um
sie abzuzaehlen.

Kein Zweifel, regulierte Genexpression (im Rahmen von Gentherapie)
hat Zukunft. Aber sicherlich werden die grossen Pharmakonzerne ihre
eigenen Medikamente dafuer auf den Markt bringen und nicht Ariads
Rapamycin-System einsetzen.

Ariad wird es schwer haben. Wuerde die Aktie abstossen und eher in
Werte wie ABSC investieren.

[gholzbauer]

Welche Labore das sind, würde mich auch interessieren. Bisher sind nur ein paar davon durch Ariads Pressemitteilungen genannt worden.
Ich zweifle jedoch die von Ariad genannte Zahl von 275 nicht an, in den USA stehen gewaltige Strafen darauf, den Investoren irreführende Behauptungen unterzuschieben, was Ariad sicher nicht machen wird und nicht nötig hat.

Die Zahl der Mitarbeiter ist nicht entscheidend, sonst wäre die Deutsche Bahn bei Börsennotierung eins der teuersten Unternehmen.

Das Potenzial muß stets in Relation zur Marktkapitalisierung gesehen werden. ARIA ca. 250 Mio.$, CRA 5500 Mio.$, MLNM ca. 11000 Mio.$. Ich glaube, daß ARIA größere Chancen hat, sich zu verzehnfachen, als MLNM. Natürlich ist auch das Risiko größer.

Ich habe nicht behauptet, ARIA sei mit CRA oder AFFX hinsichtlich Größe vergleichbar, ich stelle lediglich fest, daß Ariad wie die anderen genannten ein Genomik-Unternehmen ist.

Ich habe ABSC bei 16$ gekauft und habe sie noch, leider im März nicht verkauft, aber was soll`s...

Schönen Tag noch.

[gholzbauer]

New Mechanism of Dynamic Protein Transport in Cells Discovered
Utility of ARIAD`s RAPID Technology in Proteomics Demonstrated
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug 7, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today reported, in a paper published in the August 4, 2000 issue of Cell, that an important new mechanism for the transport of proteins within cells has been discovered using its proprietary gene regulation technology, known as Regulated Accumulation of Proteins for Immediate Delivery (RAPID(TM)).

The paper by Volchuk et al., "Megavesicles implicated in the rapid transport of intracisternal aggregates across the Golgi stack," stems from a collaboration between scientific groups at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York (Dr. James Rothman), the University of Geneva, Switzerland (Dr. Lelio Orci) and ARIAD (Dr. Tim Clackson).

Resolving a long-standing question in cell biology, the joint scientific team showed that proteins can be transported within cells inside large, fast-moving packets called "megavesicles." The ability of RAPID to reversibly control protein clustering with unprecedented speed was the key to uncovering this new transport pathway -- a fundamental process in cellular function. RAPID was used to induce and break up artificial protein aggregates at different cellular locations providing a previously unattainable dynamic picture of protein transport.

Aberrant protein transport is a key factor in many major diseases, including certain genetic and metabolic disorders. Determining how normal and diseased cells transport proteins, and defining which proteins are involved, should lead to identification and validation of new targets for drug discovery.

"These findings illustrate the power of ARIAD`s gene regulation technologies to dissect medically important biological pathways. The increasing focus on proteomics in the pharmaceutical industry is creating many opportunities for ARIAD to commercialize its RAPID gene regulation technology," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

ARIAD is developing two platform technologies for regulated gene therapy. The ARIAD Regulated Gene Expression Technology (ARGENT(TM)) system provides sustained, long-term delivery of proteins, such as erythropoietin (for treatment of anemia), interferons (for cancer and multiple sclerosis), and Factors VIII and IX (for hemophilia). ARIAD`s RAPID technology permits immediate, pulsatile delivery of proteins, such as insulin (for diabetes) and endorphins (for pain). ARIAD also intends to enter into licensing agreements with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to permit them to use these technologies in their proteomics and genomics research programs.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

[Albatossa]

Hallo Leute,

hier die neuste nachricht von Ariad! Wer weiß welche Auswirkung die Nachricht auf den Kurs hat und was die Nachricht überhaupt bedeutet?

Gruß Albatossa

ARIAD Announces First in Vivo Data On Proprietary Osteoporosis Drug Targeting Critical Disease Gene
Animal Studies Demonstrate in Vivo Efficacy of New Class of Anti-resorptive Drugs
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000-- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARIA - news) today reported the development of a novel class of small-molecule drugs that block bone breakdown causing osteoporosis.

In a paper published in the August, 15, 2000 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, ARIAD scientists demonstrate, for the first time, that a small-molecule drug which directly inhibits the Src tyrosine kinase is effective in vivo in a well-established animal model of osteoporosis.

Src has been rigorously validated as a therapeutic target for osteoporosis by gene knockout studies in animals and other genomics techniques. Deleting or blocking the Src gene by genetic methods in vivo leads to increased bone mass -- the goal of effective osteoporosis therapy.

The paper by Shakespeare et al., ``Structure-based design of an osteoclast-selective, non-peptide Src homology 2 inhibitor with in vivo antiresorptive activity,`` highlights one of the candidate compounds in ARIAD`s osteoporosis drug discovery program. ARIAD`s proprietary structure-based drug design methods were used to discover selective, bone-targeted compounds that interfere with the binding and biological activity of Src in vivo, mimicking the results of genetic studies. Further preclinical studies on several classes of ARIAD`s novel Src inhibitors are ongoing.

``Src inhibitors represent a new class of anti-resorptive drugs to treat osteoporosis. The current worldwide market for osteoporosis therapies is over $3 billion annually, and all of the marketed products have clinically important limitations. This creates a large market opportunity for a well-tolerated product with a novel mechanism of action, such as our bone-targeted Src inhibitors, `` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. Men as well as women suffer from osteoporosis. In the United States, over 10 million individuals already have osteoporosis, and 18 million have low bone mass, placing them at risk for the disease. One in two women and one in eight men over the age of 50 are expected to have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, with bone loss progressing without symptoms. The estimated national direct expenditures for osteoporosis and related fractures is approximately $14 billion per year.

Further information on osteoporosis and available therapies can be found at the websites for the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (www.osteo.org) and the National Osteoporosis Foundation (www.nof.org).

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

Some of the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company`s preclinical studies, the ability of the Company to conduct clinical trials of its products and the results of such trials, as well as risks and uncertainties relating to economic conditions, markets, products, competition, intellectual property, services and prices, key employees, future capital needs, dependence on our collaborators and other factors under the heading ``Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements`` in ARIAD`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission

[gholzbauer]

Ah, endlich wieder was Positives. Kurs springt zwar hoch, ist aber schon wieder deutlich unter Tageshoch.
Da diese Src-Inhibitoren gegen Osteoporose erst in präklin. Versuchen sind, wird es noch lange bis zu einem fertigen Produkt dauern (5 Jahre, wenn alles klappt?). "Small-molecule" ist prima, da diese Komponenten wahrscheinlich oral eingenommen werden können.

ARIA hätte eine wesentlich höhere Bewertung verdient.

gholzbauer

[Kimi]

So, da haben wir ja die gute Nachricht ! Auch wenn Aventis wohl hauptsächlich aus dem möglichen Präparat profitieren wird, wird wohl genug für Ariad übrigbleiben.
Und Lou - der Markt sucht augenblicklich nur nach Unternehmen, die Gewinne realisieren - ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass sich dies bald wieder ändern wird - denn hieß es nicht mal - die Börse beurteilt nur die Zukunft ??
Gruß
Kimi
Heute sind einige Investoren -Kaufpakete >200.000 St nachgefragt worden. Quelle:http://partners.thomsoninvest.net/money/iwatch/cgi-bin/iw_pa…

[gholzbauer]

13 3/8 $ (+4 $). Hoffentlich hält das ein bißchen länger an.
Meines Wissens hat ARIA sämtliche Rechte am Osteoporose-Programm im Rahmen des Genomic-Center-Deals im letzten Herbst von Aventis zurück erhalten.
gholzbauer

[Kimi]

Ehrlich gesagt, interessiert mich der Kurs heute oder morgen relativ wenig - ich bin langfristig in ARIA - weil die Konzeption mich überzeugt.
Zu deiner Frage - sicherlich kann Ariad Rechte verkaufen - aber wohl nicht an der Herstellung und Vermarktung der Endprodukte beteiligt sein - und damit lassen sich sicherlich die großen Gewinne erzielen - und meines Wissens hat Aventis immer noch die Vorrechte - bin mir da aber nicht sicher
Gruß
Kimi
P.S. Trotzdem sind mir steigende Kurse natürlich sehr viel lieber !

[gholzbauer]

ARIA vorbörslich angeblich bei 15$.

Tuesday September 5, 8:32 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Major Obstacle to Stem Cell Therapy Overcome in Vivo by ARIAD`s Gene Regulation Technology
Animal studies demonstrate broad clinical applications of ARGENT stem cell therapy
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2000--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARIA - news) today announced that one of the most formidable obstacles to the clinical development of stem cell therapy - the inability to deliver genes to a therapeutically relevant number of stem cells - has been overcome using the ARIAD Regulated Gene Expression Technology (ARGENT(TM)) system.

In a paper published in the September issue of Nature Genetics, a team of ARIAD collaborators from the University of Washington, led by C. Anthony Blau, M.D., achieved this breakthrough by genetically engineering bone marrow stem cells with the ARGENT cell-growth switch, transplanting them into mice, and controlling their in vivo growth and differentiation with ARIAD`s small-molecule Dimerizer Drug(TM).

The Dimerizer Drug activates the cell-growth switch, which results in substantial amplification of the population of genetically modified bone marrow cells. This produces a large number of specialized cells (e.g., red blood cells) that incorporate the desired therapeutic gene. Even using state-of-the-art gene transfer techniques (without ARGENT), only approximately one percent of stem cells can be genetically modified -- far too low to achieve beneficial therapeutic effects.

Dr. Blau, associate professor of medicine (hematology) at the University of Washington, commented, ``I anticipate that our results will have important implications for the treatment of serious inherited blood cell disorders. This approach also may have direct applications in the treatment of a wide range of other diseases, especially in view of recent advances in stem cell biology. Our immediate goal is to move toward clinical studies with ARGENT stem cell therapy as quickly as possible.``

Treatment of inherited blood cell disorders, such as beta-thalassemia (the most common genetic blood disease in the world) and sickle cell anemia, are among ARIAD`s initial stem cell therapy product applications. None of the current therapies for these diseases are curative, which creates a substantial market opportunity for innovative products that address the underlying genetic basis of these diseases.

``The new NIH guidelines for stem cell research announced in late August greatly expand the opportunities for developing stem cell therapy products. I expect that we will benefit from these new initiatives. We have ongoing collaborative programs involving the use of the ARGENT cell-growth switch to control many important cell types, including neural cells (for Parkinson`s disease), muscle cells (for heart failure), liver cells (for liver failure), and pancreatic cells (for diabetes),`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

The paper by Jin et al is entitled, ``In vivo selection using a cell-growth switch.`` Additional information on stem cell research and the NIH guidelines can be found at the websites for the National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov/news/stemcell/index.htm) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (www.aaas.org/spp/dspp/sfrl/projects/stem/main.htm).

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

Some of the matters discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company`s preclinical studies, the ability of the Company to conduct clinical trials of its products and the results of such trials, as well as risks and uncertainties relating to economic conditions, markets, products, competition, intellectual property, services and prices, key employees, future capital needs, dependence on our collaborators and other factors under the heading ``Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements`` in ARIAD`s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

ARIAD
Jay LaMarche, [phone]
Chief Financial Officer
or
Pearson Communications
Tom Pearson (for media)
[phone]
or
SmallCaps Online Group, LLC
Darcey Rakestraw (for investors)
[phone]

[gholzbauer]

Gefunden im ARIA-Thread bei Yahoo:

LONG CONVERSATION WITH LAMARCHE
by: yosarian_2 9/1/00 6:41 pm
Msg: 19533 of 19574

I had a pleasant conversation with Jay LaMarche today, this is what I learned.

1. Clinical Trials: Ariad is currently recruiting candidates in Italy. U.S. trials will follow the Italian effort. Ariad expects to enroll around 50 people in this phase. The trial is actually a combined phase II & III. Genetic cassettes will be inserted in all patients and AP1903 given orally if or when GvsHD developes. Ariad has every reason to believe these trials will be a complete success.

2. Partnerships: Ariad does not intend to partner GvsHD. Ariad instead is inclined to partner the Osteoporosis small molecule program. This will probably not be accomplished until Phase II testing. This project is very hot at Ariad and Jay said there will be new results appearing shortly. He said that this work is much farther along than perhaps is known and that partnerships for this effort will appear relatively easily.

3. Financing: The 3.5 million shelf offering was done expressly for Aqua Wellington. The Aqua deal still has $70 million in reserve that can be accessed as needed.

As usual Jay was very pleasant and surprisingly candid. I purchased another 1500 shares today.
I expect to see a substantial return but I don`t expect to see it on Tuesday, no way its going to a $100 on tuesday. I do believe that in the next 6 months we should see an easy doubling of todays price. So my prediction is:
$25.00 by February of 2001.

I would reccommend that anyone who is so inclined call Mr. LaMarche.

[gholzbauer]

"I expect to see a substantial return but I don`t expect to see it on Tuesday, no way its going to a $100 on tuesday. "
Und ausgerechnet an diesem Dienstag macht ARIA einen Sprung, zwar in der Tat nicht auf 100$, aber es läuft doch immer ein bißchen anders als man denkt.


Executives From Nexell Therapeutics, Ariad Pharmaceuticals and Incara Pharmaceuticals Get to the Root of Stem Cells on `BioTalk` Radio
ROSEVILLE, Calif., Sep 6, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Stem cell stocks on Wall Street sprang to life in recent weeks and today`s BioTalk radio program examines the opportunities and hazards of investing in this fascinating sector.

Plan to get under the industry`s skin with executives from three companies prominent in the space -- Dr. Harvey Berger; Chairman/CEO of Ariad Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs); William Albright Jr., President/COO of Nexell Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NEXL chart, msgs); and Clayton Duncan, President/CEO of Incara Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: INCR chart, msgs).

Listeners can access today`s program from 11 a.m.-noon EDT at www.informedinvestors.com or www.broadcast.com/shows/biotech, or via analog dial at WMET 1150 AM in Gaithersburg, MD. Also, join the "virtual call-in" by emailing questions in real-time during the show to co-host Tim Quast at [e-mail].

Stem cells -- the cell from which all other cells are derived -- appear early in an embryo`s development and can grow to become organs, nerves and bone marrow cells, for example. Research is controversial because it can involve the destruction of human embryos. New National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines to repeal a ban on federal funding of research on embryotic stem cells have dramatically affected stock prices of companies that may benefit from the changed NIH position.

Dr. Berger of Ariad will discuss the ARGENT(TM) system that is the first able to deliver genes to a therapeutically relevant number of stem cells. Ariad is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

Nexell`s Albright will explain how the company utilizes cell selection technology in cell therapy for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Incara`s Duncan will discuss three current programs, including liver precursor cell therapy for the treatment of liver failure, small molecule catalytic antioxidants for treatment of stroke and chronic bronchitis, and an ultra-low molecular weight heparin for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

InformedInvestors.com is the conduit for unfiltered communication between individual investors and the executives of technology and biotechnology companies. Live virtual and onsite Forums, special webcasts, original editorial pieces and weekly radio shows help put individual investors in the analyst`s chair.

Source: InformedInvestors.com

Contact:


Brian Finnigan or Steve Chanecka of InformedInvestors.com,
916-780-6100, or 800-992-4683
URL: http://www.informedinvestors.com

[gholzbauer]

Tamar Howson, Former SmithKline Beecham Senior Executive, Joins ARIAD`s Board of Directors
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sep 11, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced the appointment of Ms. Tamar Howson, former senior vice president and director, worldwide business development at SmithKline Beecham, plc (SB), to ARIAD`s Board of Directors.

Ms. Howson was responsible for in-licensing, strategic alliances, and corporate development, as well as managing S.R. One, Ltd., SB`s venture capital fund, until earlier this summer. Under her direction, SB led the industry in developing innovative biotechnology partnerships - from genomics platforms to late-stage products. A significant number of compounds in SB`s current pharmaceutical pipeline came through licensing arrangements negotiated under Ms. Howson`s guidance.

In 1999, Ms. Howson was chosen by her industry peers as the Woman of the Year of the Healthcare Businesswomen`s Association. Prior to joining SB in 1991, she held a series of management positions in business development and venture capital with the Squibb Corporation and Johnston Associates, respectively. Ms. Howson received an M.B.A. in finance and international business from Columbia University, an M.S. from the City College of New York, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the Technion - Israeli Institute of Technology, Haifa.

"Tamar Howson is recognized as the architect of SB`s highly successful partnering initiatives. She is an astute negotiator and strategist and brings highly relevant business experience to our Board. I look forward to working closely with her to develop a broad-based partnering program for ARIAD`s gene regulation technologies and small-molecule products," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

Ms. Howson commented, "I am extremely impressed with the progress made by the ARIAD team in the quest to convert gene and cell therapy from a dream to a commercial reality. I am excited to be part of this endeavor."

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD Receives Expanded Patent Coverage for Targeted Gene Activation Technology
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sep 13, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Robust Activation of Gene Expression (RAGE(TM)) technology enhances
ARIAD`s genomics and gene therapy platforms
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced the issuance of a new U. S. patent covering its targeted gene activation technology, known as Robust Activation of Gene Expression (RAGE(TM)).

This technology makes potent activation of endogenous and engineered genes feasible and produces far higher levels of target gene expression than those typically achieved with other naturally occurring or engineered activators of gene transcription.

ARIAD scientists have shown that maximal protein production in the cell is highly dependent on the composition and structure of gene activator proteins (also known as transcription factors) used to turn on gene expression and that this process can be enhanced dramatically by clustering the gene activator proteins together in unique ways or by modifying them at specific sequence sites - the basis of ARIAD`s new technology.

ARIAD`s RAGE technology has numerous commercial applications in drug discovery, protein therapeutics, gene therapy and biotechnology manufacturing. Experimental activation of target genes, especially when combined with precise gene regulation and at therapeutically relevant levels, is a powerful tool for analysis of gene and cellular function. High-level activation of naturally occurring genes in cells using the RAGE technology also provides a new means of manufacturing therapeutic proteins while avoiding the need to introduce or otherwise manipulate the target gene. This should overcome potential technical and intellectual property issues relating to the use of such therapeutic genes.

In addition to the new RAGE technology for targeted gene activation, ARIAD is developing two approaches to regulated gene therapy. ARGENT(TM) provides sustained, long-term delivery of proteins, such as erythropoietin (for anemia), interferons (for cancer and multiple sclerosis), and Factors VIII and IX (for hemophilia). RAPID(TM) permits the delivery of short bursts of proteins, such as insulin (for diabetes) and endorphins (for pain). Both of these approaches are ideally suited for clinical use, because they are controlled by ARIAD`s proprietary small-molecule drugs.

"ARIAD`s dominant intellectual property portfolio covering potent activation and dose-dependent regulation of genes puts us in a unique position to exploit the diverse commercial applications of these enabling technologies, " said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. "The RAGE technology already is incorporated into our regulated gene therapy products and will expand the spectrum of proteins that can be delivered effectively by ARGENT protein therapy."

ARIAD intends to establish its RAGE technology - along with its proprietary gene regulation technologies, ARGENT and RAPID - as the technologies of choice for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to use in their genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery programs and in therapeutic protein manufacturing.

Copies of the new ARIAD patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,117,689), as well as a prior patent relating to the RAGE technology (U.S. Patent No. 6,015,709) are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html.

[gholzbauer]

Eigentlich Schwachsinn, ARIA aufgrund von chart patterns und solchem Hokuspokus zu empfehlen, aber für die, die dran glauben:


Market Edge Upgrades ARIAD Pharmaceuticals to Long (Buy)
ATLANTA, Sep 14, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Computrade Systems, Inc., developers of Market Edge(TM) and Second Opinion(TM), today upgraded ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) to a LONG (BUY).

Market Edge(TM) upgraded ARIA to Long (Buy) due to its improving technical conditions. The Market Edge(TM) Second Opinion(TM) notes that ARIA is under accumulation, has a strong upward chart pattern and has been outperforming the S&P 500 on a relative strength basis over the last 50 days. Stocks with a Long (Buy) opinion have positive supply and demand characteristics indicating a high likelihood of continued strong price performance over the near to intermediate term.

To view the entire Second Opinion(TM) report, go to http://www.stkwtch.com/PRNews/PRNIntro20000914ARIA.htm.

Computrade Systems, Inc., based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a privately-held information management company and is a leading provider of research to institutions, stockbrokers and private investors. Its Market Edge(TM) research service is a sophisticated, quantitatively based suite of investment tools that uses advanced computerized models to analyze over 5000 stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Computrade`s web site may be accessed at WWW.STKWTCH.COM. To contact Computrade, email [e-mail] or call 1.888.STKWTCH.

Market Edge(TM) and Second Opinion(TM) are neither offers to sell nor solicitations of offers to buy any security.

Source: Computrade Systems, Inc.

[gholzbauer]

!

Dieser Beitrag wurde vom System automatisch gesperrt. Bei Fragen wenden Sie sich bitte an [e-mail]

[gholzbauer]

Gefunden bei RagingBull


By: gilletbd2 $
Reply To: None Friday, 15 Sep 2000 at 3:25 PM EDT
Post # 7068 of 7073


GaryCoal:

I can`t really explain the way these technologies work in such a short-space, but I assure you in the coming year, many financial magazines will write articles explaining ARGENT, RAPID, and RAGE. I suggest you read up on their press releases since the beginning of the year. Also, the best place to do research in former interviews with Harvey Berger via www.radiowallstreet.com and today`s interview on www.wallstreetreporter.com In the latter interview, Mr. Berger likens ARGENT to a gene-operating system.

This is essentially what I have been friends and family for over a year now. ARGENT, RAPID, and RAGE will be used not only as platforms for Ariad`s own drugs (which target potentially large markets), but they can (will) also be used in conjunction with bio-chips & computer workstations (research for other biotechnology companies` product development), as a regulatory agent for gene therapy vectors (a gene-operating system), and protein discovery and manufacturing (similar to a market like Invitrogen`s (IVGN)). I suggest you do your homework. Genomics companies will all be clamoring to use Ariad`s technologies to bring drugs to market. The overwhelming majority of genomics efforts to date have focused on gene and protein discovery. It has been assumed during that time that eventually we would figure out how to efficiently regulate (make them do what we want) those genes at a later date. It is not economically feasible, nor probably possible, for another company to spend years and millions of dollars replicating Ariad`s efforts when they are more than willing to offer their technologies as a standard platform. They will simply pay Ariad the licensing fee, and go back to focusing on their core competencies...
This really reminds me of IBM licensing Microsoft`s OS thinking hardware would be the high-margin product. Boy, were they wrong! Do your research and hang in there through the ups and downs...
The potential client list of Ariad is staggering: Celera, Incyte, PE Biosystems, Affymetrix, Genomic Solutions, Hyseq, Nanogen, Invitrogen, Qiagen, Gene Logic, Myriad, Cell Genesys, Transgene, Valentis, all the big pharma, as well as universities. Also, in due time, the list will include Phillip Morris, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Archer,Daniels-Midland, as these companies push for greater crop yields, nutrition yields, etc. for their own products. Remember, corn, rice, wheat, fruit -- they all have genomes too. And they all need a regulating force to alter their gene function...
Hope this serves you well, Good luck...
BDG

(Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD And NsGene Combine Their Technologies to Explore Gene and Cell Therapies for Central Nervous System Diseases
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Sep 20, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) and NsGene A/S today announced the establishment of a collaboration to evaluate a series of novel small-molecule regulated gene and cell therapy products for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In the joint program, the companies will combine the ARIAD Regulated Gene Expression Technology (ARGENT)(TM) with NsGene`s neurotrophic factors and technologies for culturing and engineering neural cells and delivering them to the CNS. After the initial research phase of the collaboration, further development and commercial terms will be determined regarding specific product plans.

NsGene scientists and collaborators have obtained promising in vivo results with Neublastin, a proprietary neurotrophic factor they have identified and cloned, that has protective and growth-promoting effects on the specific nerve cells that degenerate in Parkinson`s disease.

The current market for products to treat Parkinson`s disease exceeds $1 billion annually in Europe and North America. In the United States alone, there are over six million patients with CNS disorders, such as Parkinson`s disease, stroke, Huntington`s disease, Alzheimer`s disease, and other forms of dementia, that could benefit from the new cell and gene therapy products being tested in the ARIAD-NsGene collaboration.

"This partnership brings together two leaders in gene and cell therapy," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. "NsGene`s expertise in neuroscience, its proprietary neurotrophic factors, and innovative gene delivery technologies are the ideal compliments to ARIAD`s proprietary gene regulation technology. Our goal is to jointly develop a series of novel gene and cell therapies, regulated by small-molecule drugs, for the treatment of CNS diseases."

"The ARGENT system adds the necessary gene regulation to control expression of therapeutic factors administered to the brain by cell and gene therapy," said Teit E. Johansen, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of NsGene. "Having the ability to tightly regulate the production of a therapeutic factor such as Neublastin in the brain will move cell and gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases a big step forward towards the clinic."

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

NsGene A/S (www.nsgene.com) is a privately held Danish biotechnology company developing cell and gene-based therapies for the treatment of CNS disorders. NsGene has established strong collaborations with the Wallenberg Neurosciences Center at Lund University (Sweden) in the field of neural transplantation and with Biogen, Inc. in the development of Neublastin for indications outside the CNS. In 1999, NsGene was spun out of NeuroSearch A/S (www.neurosearch.com), a Danish neuropharmaceutical company traded on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (NEUS.CO). NeuroSearch owns 28% of the shares in NsGene.

[gholzbauer]

Berger bemüht sich außerordentlich, Ariad der Öffentlichkeit vorzustellen. Ich befürchte, falls es nicht bald Analystenempfehlungen für Ariad und höhere Kurse gibt, schnappt sich eines der großen Unternehmen Ariad für einen Spottpreis. Amgen, Celera und Co haben die Übernahmepläne sicher bereits in den Schubläden. Anders als die Analysten wissen sie, daß Ariad wesentlich mehr wert ist als jetzt 350 Mio. $.



ARIAD Pharmaceuticals CEO Interviewed by StreetSideInvestor
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Sep 22, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Dr. Harvey J. Berger, Chairman and CEO of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) is featured as one of the premier executives interviewed on StreetSideInvestor`s Executives` Corner, which can be accessed at www.streetsideinvestor.com. StreetSideInvestor`s innovative Executive`s Corner interviews executives using questions submitted by investors and individuals. To submit your questions for future interviews please visit www.streetsideinvestor.com

Chairman and CEO Dr. Berger discusses ARIAD`s future outlook and recent company products and technology developments. The interview is available in print format free of charge at www.StreetSideInvestor.com, and you may sign up to receive future Executives` Corners via e-mail by registering for free at http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/register/newuser.php3?english" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/register/newuser.php3?english

About ARIAD Pharmaceuticals:


ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

About StreetSideInvestor, Inc.


StreetSideInvestor, Inc. is a leading financial content provider committed to providing in-depth cutting edge research to the investing public. The company`s English site, located at http://www.streetsideinvestor.com, offers commentary from an experienced team of financial journalists and provides innovative features such as the Insider Wire, StreetSide Insider, Executives` Corner, and Head-to-Head.

StreetSideInvestor Inc. offers investors the opportunity to submit questions for executives featured on Executives` Corner. To see the current schedule of interviews please visit http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/askexec/nologin_exec.php3

To view previous Executives` Corner please visit http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/getcolumn.php3?exec

If you would like to receive Executives` Corner in your mailbox please register for free at http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/register/newuser.php3?english" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/register/newuser.php3?english

For more information on StreetSideInvestor Inc. visit http://www.streetsideinvestor.com/ or you can email us at [e-mail]

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals CEO Harvey Berger Interview
September, 22 9:23 AM EST
by Todd Jerles of Team StreetSideInvestor back

Good Morning, this is Todd Jerles with StreetSideInvestor’s Executives’ Corner. Today’s Executives` Corner is sponsored by TradePortal.com, Winner of Technology Investor Magazine`s "Editors Choice Award for the Active Online Trader."

Today, we are speaking with Dr. Harvey Berger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ARIA). ARIAD is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy, and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small- molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction pathways.


StreetSideInvestor: Dr. Berger, could you please provide our readers with an overview of what it is that ARIAD Pharmaceuticals actually does?

Dr. Berger: Thank you very much, Todd. Your introductory comments certainly focused on the major programs and technologies in place at ARIAD. We have a broad-based strategy that involves the development of gene therapy, cell therapy, and stem cell therapy products. What makes them unique is that we incorporate small-molecule regulation of the genes in those products. In addition, we are developing small-molecule drugs that block key disease genes, such as in our treatment for osteoporosis. Our most advanced product is a novel therapy for graft-versus-host disease, one of the major limitations of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in patients with cancer. Phase 2 studies are under way. In short, ARIAD is a genomics-based drug discovery and development company with broadly applicable proprietary technologies.

StreetSideInvestor: You recently announced that a major obstacle, namely the ability to genetically modify a significant number of stem cells in the human body, has been overcome in vivo using ARIAD’s ARGENT regulated gene expression technology. Could you please elaborate further on this discovery, including how this technology works and what disorders this technology can help treat?

Dr. Berger: ARGENT -- ARIAD’s regulated gene expression technology -- is a patented gene regulation system. We are able to turn genes on and off with a small-molecule drug: in the body, in cells, in a flask, in the laboratory. Think about it like the volume control on an audio-amplifier. We can control genes like you can control the volume of a stereo system. This technology gives us the ability to overcome one of the key limitations of stem cell therapy. By activating a cell-growth gene in stem cells, that is, a gene that controls the growth of those cells, we can expand them to virtually any number, and thus provide a therapeutically relevant number of stem cells to treat various life-threatening diseases. The fundamental basis for this breakthrough is our ability to control specific genes and, in turn, to have those genes affect the growth of particular targeted cells. The first applications of our stem cell therapy products are in the treatment of inherited blood disorders, such as thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia. In addition, our regulated stem cell therapy products are being evaluated in animals to treat diverse diseases, such as liver failure (targeting liver cells), central nervous system diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s (targeting neural cells), as well as diabetes (targeting pancreatic islet cells). Overall, our stem cell therapy products should have utility in broad indications.

StreetSideInvestor: Do you expect to use the discovery to produce proprietary drugs to combat these disorders or do you plan to license the technology to other companies so we use this technology to produce their own products?

Dr. Berger: Our first priority is to develop proprietary products. The company’s strategy is built around creating our own products using our core technologies, developing them through clinical trials, and, in many instances, commercializing them ourselves. However, we also are negotiating licenses to our technology so that selected companies, with expertise in particular areas that complement what we do, can take advantage of our patented technologies. This will allow them to develop products alongside us, in a collaborative manner, and in areas that we are not going to pursue ourselves.

StreetSideInvestor: So, then down the road, do you foresee ARIAD’s overall revenues resulting more from licensing your technologies or from your developing and marketing products based on the technologies?

Dr. Berger: Without question, from developing and marketing products. The clearest route to long-term profitability and a strong revenue base is from our own products. The history of the biotechnology industry has taught that to us many times. Licensing our technologies will be focused largely on their use in genomics, drug discovery and proteomics. We recently made an important announcement on another one of our proprietary technologies called RAGE, Robust Activation Of Gene Expression, which is a new part of our tool kit for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Our strategy is to balance technology tool-kit licensing, product partnerships, and product-driven revenues.

StreetSideInvestor: You mentioned one product already that was in Phase 2 clinical trials. What other ARIAD products are currently clinical trials, and do you expect any of these to gain approval to market any time soon?

Dr. Berger: Our most advanced product, as I mentioned earlier, is based on ARGENT cell therapy to treat graft-versus-host disease. It’s a very substantial clinical problem with currently inadequate therapies. Phase 2 clinical trials are ongoing in Europe and the U.S. We expect to have the initial efficacy data on this product in bone marrow transplant patients with cancer next year and then to launch Phase 3 clinical trials as soon as possible -- building on the results of our Phase 2 studies. Next year, we also expect to initiate clinical trials on our osteoporosis drug and the first of our ARGENT protein therapy products -- regulated erythropoietin to treat anemia. In addition, the first of our stem cell therapy products should be approaching clinical development by the latter part of next year. As you look over the next year, you should see three ARIAD products in clinical trials. All of them are products in which we own all of the rights and have the ability to develop them ourselves. We also are pursuing corporate partnership opportunities, driven by clinical data and advancement of these products through the development cycle.

StreetSideInvestor: ARIAD recently announced the addition of former SmithKline Beecham senior executive and director of worldwide business development, Ms. Tamar Howson, to its board of directors. How do you feel this addition will benefit ARIAD and do expect ARIAD’s corporate partnerships to increase as a result?

Dr. Berger: Ms. Howson is an extraordinarily experienced business development executive. She was the architect of SmithKline Beecham’s major ventures in strategic partnering, including the landmark transaction with Human Genome Sciences some years ago. Her group was responsible for virtually all the business development activities and a substantial percentage of the products in SmithKline’s product portfolio. Without question, she will be very helpful in defining ARIAD’s business strategy, along with other members of the board and our management team. She clearly appreciates our strategy for corporate partnering. We have many partnership opportunities available. In fact, one of our key challenges is to prioritize and select the best partnerships. Our goal, and where we expect that Ms. Howson will help us, is to use corporate partnerships as a way to build shareholder value. We need to act more like a biopharmaceutical company and not give away the company’s future revenue base through early partnering. We think Ms. Howson will help us in arriving at the best strategic direction to create long-term value and a clear revenue stream for the company.

StreetSideInvestor: And finally, if there was one thing you could leave with our readers to think about when ARIAD Pharmaceuticals comes to mind, what would it be?

Dr. Berger: Everyone has great expectations of gene therapy, genomics, stem-cell therapy, and the whole biotech arena. It’s our opinion that to succeed, companies need several factors: a broad and deep proprietary position, a way to turn genes on and off with small-molecule drugs, and a broadly applicable genomics-based drug discovery machine. That is what ARIAD is all about, and I think that’s what will continue to create value in the company.

[Riskman2]

Selbst wenn eine Übernahme droht, ist daß für die Kleinaktionäre nicht schlecht, da der Kurs dementsprechend in die Höhe geht.
Ich rechne bei einer Übernahme mit mind. 20 USD/Aktie.

[gholzbauer]

Und ich rechne mit 50 bis 100$ im Verlauf der nächsten 2 bis 3 Jahre, ohne Übernahme.

[Riskman2]

Kann durchaus sein, wenn es Ariad dann noch eigenstädig gibt. Freuen würde ich mich auch über 100 $.

[gholzbauer]

October 5, 2000
RECOMMENDATION: BUY Jeffrey Davis / John Dwyer

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA)

ARIA Expands Gene Therapy and Genomics Programs Into Gene Activation and Stem Cell Areas; Reiterating BUY Recommendation

Market Data:



Price of Common Stock (10/4/00)........$11.63
Shares Outstanding (MM)..................26.9
Market Cap (MM)........................$312.4
Average Daily Volume..................505,954
52-Week High/Low.................$48.50/$0.50

ARIA Corporate Information

Address..................26 Landsdowne Street
..........................Cambridge, MA 02139
Telephone......................[phone]
Chairman & CEO.........Harvey J. Berger, M.D.
EVP & CFO.....................Jay R. LaMarche


Recent Announcements


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIA has had numerous announcements since our last update that highlight the strength of the Company’s platform technologies. ARIA is developing key technologies in stem cell research and gene activation (using RAGE); as well as in-vivo protein expression using ARGENT and RAPID. These research areas are likely to be the next frontier for therapeutic development, and we feel that ARIA is extremely well-positioned to capitalize on these emerging areas. Moreover, the National Institutes of Health has recently issued new guidelines for stem cell research which may greatly expand the potential for developing novel therapies using these progenitor cells.



ARIA Uses ARGENT to Engineer Stem Cells


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIA announced recently that the Company’s regulated gene therapy approach (ARGENT) has been used to overcome one of the major obstacles facing successful stem cell therapy. Stem cells are found in bone marrow and have the ability to form different types of blood cells. These cells have significant therapeutic value in both bone marrow transplantation as well as in diseases of the blood. ARIA scientists, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Washington, were able to successfully engineer stem cells using ARGENT so that the growth of these cells was under the control of ARIA’s Dimerizer Drug. Using mice as a model, the growth and differentiation of stem cells in vivo was successfully achieved. Prior to this development, stem cells were found to be much less amenable to gene transfer than more fully developed cells. Therefore, it was difficult, if not impossible, to generate therapeutically relevant quantities of genetically engineered stem cells. ARIA’ s development is very significant, because many inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia, could be more effectively treated using genetically modified stem cells. Moreover, the wide range of potential therapies utilizing stem cells may be more easily facilitated using ARIA’s technology. Another company, that we are aware of, that focuses on stem cells to develop novel therapeutics is Geron.



ARIA Signs ARGENT Agreement with European Firm, NsGene


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIA recently announced a collaboration with NsGene A/S, a biotechnology company located in Copenhagen Denmark, to combine ARIA’s ARGENT technology with NsGene’s proprietary neurotrophic factors (e.g. neublastin) and methods for engineering neural cells. The goal of the agreement is to jointly develop novel drugs to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders utilizing the advantages of regulated gene therapy technology provided by ARGENT. Although the collaboration is initially exploratory, additional agreements will be made to develop potential therapies that arise out of the joint effort. NsGene’s leadership position in CNS therapeutics is highlighted by its recently announced collaboration with Biogen in multiple sclerosis. We are excited about this deal since it gives ARIA exposure in the CNS area, another very large market that is in need of novel, more effective therapeutics. Currently, other companies developing novel CNS therapeutics include Biogen, Regeneron and Amgen.



Key Aspects of Protein Transport Studied with RAPID


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIA also recently demonstrated the use of the Company’s RAPID gene regulation technology in the discovery of a novel mechanism of protein transport in cells. It was shown by ARIAD scientists in collaboration with others that proteins can be transported in large, fast-moving packets called “megavesicles” within the cell. Protein transport within the cell is a vital cellular event and it is thought that some metabolic disorders arise from problems in protein transport pathways. Therefore, the ability to study these pathways should lead to a better understanding of these diseases and hopefully new therapeutic targets.



ARIA Issued First Patent for Novel RAGE Technology


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIA recently announced the first issued patent covering the Company’s latest technology known as Robust Activation of Gene Expression (RAGE). This technology is the third major platform in ARIA’s portfolio and places them in the forefront of the emerging new field of controlled gene activation. What separates RAGE from ARGENT and RAPID is that with RAGE, genes within the body can be precisely activated. Therefore, instead of introducing both naturally occurring and engineered genes via gene therapy, RAGE can increase protein production of genes that already exist in the body. Although this technology is in the early stages of development, the potential of RAGE in therapeutic applications as well as in the discovery of genes involved in disease, makes RAGE a very valuable intellectual property asset.



ARIA Reports In Vivo Results of Src Inhibitor, AP22408


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In August, ARIA published the data from an in vivo study using one of the Company’s small-molecule compounds under development for the treatment of osteoporosis. ARIA has been working for some time on developing inhibitors directed toward Src, a protein involved in the signal transduction pathway that results in bone resorption. A specific domain of this protein (the SH2 domain) plays a key role in this signaling process and it is thought that targeting a small molecule to this region would prevent signaling. A reduction of bone resorption may benefit patients suffering from diseases involving weakened bone structure, such as osteoporosis. ARIA’s latest findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discuses the structure-based design of compounds that inhibit protein-protein interactions involving Src. ARIA scientists were able to design a small-molecule inhibitor (AP22408) that binds significantly tighter than previously reported peptide inhibitors of Src. This molecule was also shown to be selective for Src proteins involved in bone breakdown (as opposed to similar Src proteins involved in signaling pathways in other cells). Therefore, this class of small molecules has the potential to deliver better and more specific inhibitors for Src. Small molecules are also expected to have better pharmacokinetic properties, since peptides typically are degraded quickly by the body. The ARIA paper also reports results from in vivo animal models of bone resorption that shows AP22408 significantly decreases bone breakdown. Since this model is widely used to evaluate antiresorptive compounds, these results would suggest that this class of compounds, including AP22408, has significant potential as a possible treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.



ARIA Issued Patent Covering NF-AT Genes


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In early August, ARIA announced the issuance of a patent on a family of genes (known as NF-AT) involved in signal transduction pathways that regulate certain aspects of immune response as well as pathways thought to be involved in cardiac hypertrophy (thickening of the heart walls). Although ARIA does not plan to develop these programs in-house, these genes have been implicated in a variety of autoimmune disorders and so we feel ARIA should have significant opportunities to license these targets to other biopharmaceutical companies.



ARIA Appoints Tamar Howson to Board of Directors


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ARIA announced that Ms. Tamar Howson has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Ms. Howson has been extremely successful in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as the Director of worldwide business development at SmithKline Beecham. Known as a very astute strategist, Ms. Howson brings a great deal of experience and ability to an already very impressive Board. We feel her decision to join ARIA’s Board reflects the strength of the technology platform and the enormous potential that platform possesses in changing the future of therapeutics.

ARIA Improves Financial Position Through Equity Financing


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In late June, ARIA announced the arrangement of a $75 million equity financing facility through an agreement with Acqua Wellington North American Equities Fund, Ltd. The agreement calls for the sale of up to $75 million of the Company’s stock over the next eighteen months. ARIA has complete control over the amount and the timing of the sales. ARIA received $8 million in a stock placement to Acqua Wellington that was closed at the time of the agreement. This arrangement allows ARIA the financial strength to aggressively pursue clinical development of its product candidates in the pipeline or to acquire therapeutic genes that are discovered through the analysis of the recently completed human genome.

Copyright © 2000 by SmallCaps Online Group LLC. All rights reserved.

[gholzbauer]

Dual-Action Osteoporosis Drug Candidate Targeting Critical Disease Gene Announced by ARIADIn Vivo Studies Demonstrate Both Stimulation of Bone Formation and Inhibition of Bone Breakdown
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 16, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced at the Salomon Smith Barney Health Care Conference the initial results of in vivo studies on its small-molecule osteoporosis drug, demonstrating not only inhibition of bone breakdown but also stimulation of new bone formation.

Development of a dual-action osteoporosis drug that affects both stages of the normal process of bone remodeling has been a long-standing goal of osteoporosis research, because such a drug would block bone loss, as well as rebuild lost bone and prevent debilitating fractures in osteoporosis patients. Clinical trials of ARIAD`s new osteoporosis product candidate are being planned for next year.

In papers published today in the Journal of Cell Biology by Marzia et al and in Bone by Amling et al, an international group of scientists including ARIAD collaborators, demonstrate, for the first time, that deleting the Src gene by genetic methods leads not only to an arrest of bone-dissolving cells but also to stimulation of bone-forming cells in animals. These genetic studies further validate Src as a novel therapeutic target for osteoporosis and provide mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects demonstrated with ARIAD`s dual-action Src inhibitor.

Today`s presentation at the Salomon Smith Barney Health Care Conference in New York highlights the medical importance of ARIAD`s lead osteoporosis product candidate. The Company`s proprietary structure-based drug design methods were used to discover AP23286, which selectively inhibits the Src tyrosine kinase in bone cells and mimics the results of genetic studies in which the Src gene has been deleted.

"The findings presented today and the publication of two definitive papers from leading bone research groups should lead to improved therapies for patients with osteoporosis," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. During bone resorption, special cells on the bone`s surface (osteoclasts) dissolve bone tissue and create small cavities. During formation, other cells (osteoblasts) fill the cavities with new bone tissue. Osteoporosis results from a persistent imbalance in this remodeling process which leads to loss of bone mass and strength.

Men as well as women suffer from osteoporosis. In the United States, over 10 million individuals already have osteoporosis, and 18 million have low bone mass, placing them at risk for the disease. One in two women and one in eight men over the age of 50 are expected to have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is a silent disease, with bone loss progressing without symptoms. Thus, most patients already have established osteoporosis by the time the disease is diagnosed and need treatment with a drug that not only stops further bone loss, but also promotes new bone formation. The estimated national direct expenditure for osteoporosis and related fractures is approximately $14 billion annually, and the current worldwide market for osteoporosis therapies is over $3 billion annually. Available drugs marketed for osteoporosis in the United States only target bone resorption, and all have clinically important limitations.

The paper by Marzia et al, entitled "Decreased c-src expression leads to enhanced osteoblast differentiation" (J. Cell Biol. 151(2), Oct. 16, 2000), and the paper by Amling et al, "Progressive increase in bone mass and development of odontomas in aging osteopetrotic c-src-deficient mice" (Bone 27(5), Nov. 2000), are available online today at www.jcb.org and www.ibmsonline.org, respectively.

Further information on osteoporosis and available therapies can be found at the websites for the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (www.osteo.org) and the National Osteoporosis Foundation (www.nof.org).

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.ariad.com) is a leader in the discovery and development of gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cell therapy and protein therapy products featuring dose-dependent regulation by small-molecule drugs, as well as small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction.

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD`s Bone Marrow Transplant Product Featured in Emerging Cancer Therapy Program At Biotech Investment Conference
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 19, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) announced that its ARGENT(TM) graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) product is featured today in the program on "Emerging Options in Cancer Therapy" at the second annual investment conference of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. The session, sponsored by Adams, Harkness & Hill, reviews the status of novel cancer treatments being developed by ARIAD, Millennium, Genzyme and Therion. GvHD is a serious complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). BMT is widely used as first-line treatment in hematologic malignancies, such as leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, and is being studied extensively in solid tumors, such as colon and breast cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inherited blood disorders.

ARIAD also announced today the issuance of the first of a series of new patents on AP1903, the small-molecule drug used in the ARGENT GvHD product. U.S. Patent No. 6,133,456, issued on October 17, 2000, covers a broad class of fully synthetic, small-molecule drugs, including AP1903, that regulate cellular processes through drug-mediated dimerization of proteins. Dimerization, or clustering of molecules within the cell, is the key step in many cellular processes, including apoptosis (cell death), cell growth, and gene expression. The newly issued patent compliments three other issued ARIAD patents on its ARGENT GvHD product and ten additional issued patents on the ARGENT gene regulation system.

GvHD occurs when donor lymphocytes given with a BMT attack a patient`s normal tissues and contributes to the morbidity and mortality of allogeneic BMT. Susceptibility to GvHD is dependent on the dose of donor lymphocytes administered, the age of the recipient, and the degree of mismatch between the donor and recipient. Approximately 80% of BMT candidates do not have a matched donor, and thus many patients who could benefit from allogeneic BMT cannot receive this potentially curative therapy because of the risk of developing life-threatening GvHD.

The ARGENT GvHD product includes infusion of donor T lymphocytes engineered with a gene encoding an inactive apoptosis protein. These engineered donor lymphocytes maintain their beneficial anti-tumor and anti-infectious effects. However, they are programmed to die in vivo when AP1903 is administered to the patient. AP1903 causes dose-dependent elimination of the donor lymphocytes responsible for the abnormal immune response, but does not affect immune cells arising from the newly transplanted bone marrow. ARIAD`s product is in Phase 2 clinical development.

"The availability of a graft-vs-host disease treatment that does not cause generalized immune suppression, coupled with the expanding clinical utilization of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, could result in a five to ten fold increase in the number of patients undergoing allogeneic transplants," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

Further information about the Massachusetts Opportunities Investment Conference can be found at the meeting`s website (www.massopps.com). Copies of the new ARIAD patent (U. S. Patent No. 6,133,456) and the other patents on the GvHD product (U.S. Patent Nos. 5,834,266, 5,994,313, and 6,054,436) are available at website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html).

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD to Host Investor Conference Call With Senior Management On October 26, 2000 At 4:15 PM EDT
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 24, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced that it will be hosting an investor conference call on Thursday, October 26, 2000 at 4:15 p.m. EDT, to discuss ongoing progress in the development of the Company`s lead product candidates, recent results of in vivo studies with its dual-action osteoporosis drug, and third-quarter financial results. Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer, and Jay LaMarche, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will participate on the conference call. There will a question and answer period following introductory remarks by Dr. Berger.

The call-in number for United States participants is 1-800-260-0702; international participants may call 303-446-0284. The event will be simultaneously Webcast via Vcall and may be accessed at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=48783 at the time of the call.

For those unable to participate, a digitized replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:45 p.m. on October 26, 2000 until midnight, November 2, 2000 by calling 1-800-475-6701 in the United States and 320-365-3844 internationally; the access code for replay is 545202.

The Webcast will also be archived on Vcall for thirty days beginning one hour after the conference call ends at http://www.vcall.com/NASApp/VCall/EventPage?ID=48783.

[gholzbauer]

Nett, aber vom realen Einsatz noch meilenweit entfernt.
Es zeigt immerhin wieder einmal das Riesenpotenzial von Ariads Technologien.


Replacement of Dead Heart Muscle Tissue Made Possible by ARIAD Gene Regulation TechnologyPotential New Treatment for Heart Failure Described At the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 13, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced that engineered muscle cells, incorporating its ARGENT(TM) cell-growth switch, may be used for transplantation to the heart as a potential treatment for heart muscle damage due to myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy. ARIAD collaborators from the University of Washington, led by Charles E. Murry, present their findings, "Selective control of myoblast proliferation by a synthetic ligand," today at the Scientific Sessions 2000 of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, LA.

In patients with coronary artery disease, healing of myocardial tissue is limited to scar formation, as opposed to replacement of lost myocardium with healthy muscle tissue. Researchers have been exploring alternative ways of replacing dead heart muscle with healthy tissue. Grafting skeletal muscle precursor cells (known as myoblasts) to the heart results in new contractile tissue, but the amount of newly functioning myocardium is limited. In vivo administration of growth factors increases the proliferation of grafted myoblasts but also results in unwanted proliferation of other cardiac cells, such as fibroblasts, which may increase the extent of scar tissue - a clinically undesirable outcome.

Treatment of engineered myoblasts, incorporating the ARGENT cell-growth switch, with ARIAD`s small-molecule Dimerizer Drug resulted in selective myoblast proliferation comparable to the level achieved with growth factors, but without deleterious effects on other cardiac cells. Use of ARIAD`s gene regulation technology may make the broader use of myoblast transplantation to the injured heart feasible.

The abstract of the presentation by Whitney, et al can be found in Circulation 102: II-139, 2000 and online at the website of the American Heart Association (www.circulationaha.org).

[gholzbauer]

ARIAD Genomics Technology, Argent, Overcomes Key Limitations of AlternativesProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences publication highlights applications in drug target validation
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 15, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today reported, in a paper by ARIAD scientists in the November 21, 2000 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, the adaptation and optimization of its ARGENT(TM) gene regulation technology to rapid, high-throughput, stringent analysis of in vivo and in vitro gene function.

The enhanced ARGENT system overcomes key limitations of alternative technologies for gene regulation. Perhaps the most important distinguishing feature of ARIAD`s genomics technology is its extraordinarily "tight" regulation of genes. Other gene regulation technologies are "leaky," making it impossible to study the function of extremely toxic genes, such as those involved in cell death and survival (cancer and degenerative diseases). In the research published today in PNAS, ARIAD scientists introduced the gene for diphtheria toxin into cells, where it remained completely quiescent until activated by ARIAD`s small-molecule dimerizer compound. A single molecule of this toxin normally would have killed the cells had the gene not been tightly regulated.

Secondly, while many other approaches are limited to on/off control, the enhanced ARGENT system provides dose-dependent modulation of gene expression using cell-permeable dimerizer compounds. Thirdly, the magnitude of gene expression activated by the enhanced ARGENT system is far more robust than that of other technologies. Lastly, the single-step specialized gene-delivery vector utilized with the ARGENT genomics technology can be introduced rapidly into a wide range of normal and diseased cell types.

A key challenge in the post-genomic era is deciphering the function of newly identified genes. The enhanced ARGENT system for genomics makes high-throughput and rigorous analysis of gene function feasible and will accelerate understanding of the functional role of new genes in disease. These features should lead to more rapid and accurate validation of genes and proteins as targets for drug

ARIAD gene regulation kits are being used by nearly 400 academic investigators worldwide, with ARIAD receiving commercial and intellectual property rights to resulting discoveries. ARIAD intends to license its portfolio of gene regulation technologies, especially those described in the PNAS paper, to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for use in their target validation and drug discovery programs.

"The discoveries published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences underscore the universal applicability and robustness of the ARGENT gene regulation technology for determining the biologic role of new genes. Its utility includes functional analysis of the genome in animal models and in cells," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. "Based on its widespread acceptance by academic investigators, the ARGENT system has become recognized as the benchmark for gene regulation."

The paper by Pollock et al, "Delivery of a stringent dimerizer-regulated gene expression system in a single retroviral vector," is being published in the November 21, 2000 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA and is available today online at the journal`s website (www.pnas.org).

[gholzbauer]

Leider profitiert der ARIA-Kurs in der schlechten allg. Börsenverfassung nicht von guten Nachrichten. V.a. der dritte Absatz bzgl. möglicher Lizensierungen ist ein Hammer.
Damit hat Ariad bei sämtlichen diese Targets betreffenden Entwicklungen einen Fuß in der Tür.


Two ARIAD Patents Issued On Drugs Targeting Human Gene Regulator Proteins
Potential New Therapies for Inflammatory, Immune, Cardiac, and Bone Diseases, and Cancer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2000--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced the issuance of two new U.S. patents covering the discovery of pharmaceuticals that target two critically important families of proteins that regulate the function of human genes. These protein families, collectively known as ``NF-(kappa)B`` and ``NF-AT,`` have been rigorously validated by genetic methods and are being actively pursued by numerous groups as targets for pharmaceutical research and development. The newly issued patents include methods to identify and test inhibitors or activators of NF-(kappa)B or NF-AT function at key points in their cellular pathways.

Based on current understanding of the roles of NF-(kappa)B and NF-AT in human biology, drugs that inhibit or activate specific targets in their pathways may be effective in a spectrum of serious diseases, including, for example, osteoarthritis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, and congestive heart failure.

``The NF-(kappa)B and NF-AT human gene regulator proteins have been well validated as targets for drug discovery. Our six issued patents collectively cover treatment methods and drug discovery techniques, as well as genes, proteins, and pathways associated with NF-(kappa)B and NF-AT. Many pharmaceutical companies already are developing drugs that affect targets in these cellular pathways, creating new commercial licensing opportunties for us,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

The NF-(kappa)B patent is based on the pioneering research of Dr. David Baltimore, a founding member of ARIAD`s scientific advisory board and a Nobel laureate, Dr. Philip Sharp, also a Nobel laureate, and their colleagues from MIT, the Whitehead Institute, and Harvard University. Their research defined, for the first time, a novel class of gene regulator proteins that play a critical role in immune function, inflammatory response, cell adhesion, growth control, cell death, and bone development. ARIAD has an exclusive worldwide license to the newly issued U.S. patent (6,150,090) and two previously issued patents from the same group (6,095,515 and EP 0,407,411 B1).

The NF-AT patent is based on the breakthrough research of Dr. Gerald Crabtree, another founding member of ARIAD`s scientific advisory board, and his colleagues from Stanford University. Their research identified a novel class of gene regulator proteins that play a key role in immune function and cardiac hypertrophy. ARIAD has an exclusive worldwide license to the newly issued U.S. patent (6,150,099) and two previously issued patents from the same group (6,095,515 and 5,837,840).

The U.S. patents are available online at the website of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html). Further information about ongoing research in the laboratories of ARIAD`s scientific advisors can be found at their websites: Dr. Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology (www.caltech.edu/president) and Dr. Crabtree of Stanford University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (http://crablab.stanford.edu).

[gholzbauer]

Twentieth Patent Issued On ARIAD Gene Regulation Technology
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 29, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA chart, msgs) today announced the issuance of four new patents on its ARGENT(TM) gene regulation technology.

Thus far, twenty patents have issued worldwide on the ARGENT system, including its medical and scientific uses, biological components and small-molecule dimerizer drugs. ARIAD is developing the ARGENT gene regulation technology for dose-dependent control of gene and cell therapy and for rapid, high-throughput stringent analysis of in vivo and in vitro gene function.

The latest U.S. patent covers discovery of new synthetic gene regulators, which further extends the versatility of the ARGENT system. This advance is based on the research of Dr. Gregory Verdine, a founding member of ARIAD`s scientific advisory board, and his colleagues from Harvard University. ARIAD has an exclusive worldwide license to this patent (6,153,383).

The three other U.S. patents also complement the family of previously issued ARGENT patents. One of the new patents is based on the research of Dr. Stuart Schreiber of Harvard University and Dr. Gerald Crabtree of Stanford University, founding members of ARIAD`s scientific advisory board, and their colleagues. ARIAD has an exclusive worldwide license to this patent (6,140,120) and other ARGENT patents from their laboratories.

"The breadth of our intellectual property portfolio provides a solid foundation for the commercial development of therapeutic products and high-value research tools using our ARGENT gene regulation technology," said David Berstein, senior vice-president and chief patent counsel of ARIAD.

The ARIAD patents (6,140,120, 6,150,137, 6,150,527, and 6,153,383) are available online at the website of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html). Further information about ongoing research in the laboratories of ARIAD`s scientific advisors can be found at their websites: Dr. Verdine (http://glviris.harvard.edu), Dr. Schreiber (http://www-schreiber.chem.harvard.edu), and Dr. Crabtree (http://crablab.stanford.edu).

[puhvogel]

Wenn man ehrlich ist, hat man im augenblicklichen Umfeld auch gar keine Lust mehr zur Recherche.
Alles wird zerdeppert, viel wird verkauft, um steuerliche Verluste geltend zu machen.
aber deswegen poste ich hier nicht. Habe gerade das hier gefunden:
http://www2.marketwatch.com/news/yhoo/story.asp?source=blq&g…
Betrifft zawr eine andere Firma , aber dieselbe Branche. Die aussage kann ich nur unterstreichen!
Another California small-cap, Tularik (TLRK: news, msgs) , is involved in gene regulation. Isaly said he`s very impressed with the company`s management, including Chief Executive Officer David Goeddel, a former chief scientist at Genentech (DNA: news, msgs) . "They play right into a modern theory of disease that all disease is either over-active or under-active genes," Isaly said. "So if you can regulate genes by stimulating their activity or stopping their activity, you could control all disease." The stock dropped $1.38 to $29.88.

[gholzbauer]

TLRK hat sich in letzter Zeit besser gehalten als ARIA. Immer noch 1.4 Mrd. $ Marktkap., 7x so viel wie ARIA.
Hoffentlich ändert sich das bald.


Monday December 4, 7:58 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Clinical Data Supporting Broad Use of ARIAD`s Graft-vs-Host Disease Product Presented At American Society of Hematology Meeting
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2000--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced that results of a phase 2 clinical study of a first-generation graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) treatment, developed by an Italian medical research team, demonstrate the efficacy of regulated lymphocyte elimination as a treatment strategy following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

The study, being presented today at the American Society of Hematology meeting, also underscores the clinical value of ARIAD`s second-generation GvHD product, because it overcomes the limitations of the first-generation therapy.

The first-generation GvHD treatment, developed by Professor Claudio Bordignon, director of the gene therapy and cell transplantation center at the Hospital San Raffaele in Milan, Italy, involved infusion of donor T lymphocytes (white blood cells) engineered with a gene encoding a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk). The engineered cells were programmed to die in vivo when the anti-viral drug, ganciclovir, was administered to activate the HSV-tk gene.

Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study. All cases of GvHD were successfully treated by eliminating the disease-causing donor lymphocytes. However, serious clinical limitations were observed with the first-generation treatment. Fifty percent of the patients (1) developed a strong immune response to the viral protein used to engineer the donor lymphocytes and/or (2) could not be optimally treated for viral infections post-BMT with ganciclovir because of its use as the gene-activating drug. These limitations preclude commercial development of the first-generation treatment.

ARIAD has a second-generation GvHD product - currently in phase 2 clinical development - that overcomes these limitations, while maintaining the therapeutic benefits of the regulated lymphocyte elimination treatment strategy. Only human, non-immunogenic components are included in ARIAD`s product (as opposed to an immunogenic herpes virus protein). A highly specific drug, AP1903, is used in ARIAD`s product to kill and eliminate the engineered donor lymphocytes when a patient develops GvHD (as opposed to a potent anti-viral drug that may be required to treat severe viral infections).

``Professor Bordignon has pioneered efforts to make bone marrow transplants safer, more effective, and more widely applicable. The study of his first-generation treatment provides a solid foundation for clinical development of our second-generation GvHD product in the growing field of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Professor Bordingon`s team is leading the phase 2 clinical development of our product,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

GvHD occurs when donor lymphocytes given with a BMT attack a patient`s normal tissues and contributes to the morbidity and mortality of allogeneic BMT. Many patients who could benefit from allogeneic BMT cannot receive this potentially curative therapy because of the risk of developing life-threatening GvHD.

The abstract (3460) of the presentation by Bonini, et al, entitled ``Fas-based suicide gene strategy for controlled GvHD: an alternative to HSV-tk,`` is published in Blood 96 (11), Nov. 16, 2000 and is available online at the meeting website (http://www.abstracts-on-line.com/abstracts/hem/). The abstract (1727) of a related presentation by Iuliucci, et al, entitled ``A phase 1 study of AP1903, a small-molecule activator of a novel T cell suicide system for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease`` also is published in Blood and is available online.

[gholzbauer]

Tuesday December 5, 8:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
ARIAD Announces Progress With ARGENT Stem Cell Therapy At American Society of Hematology Meeting
Efficient Expansion of Stem Cells Expressing Globin Gene for Treatment of Inherited Blood Disorders
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2000-- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced that bone marrow stem cells, engineered with the human globin gene and the ARGENT(TM) cell-growth switch, uniformly produce therapeutic levels of the globin protein due to regulated growth of these cells induced by ARIAD`s dimerizer drug. Mutations in the globin gene are the molecular basis of a family of genetic blood cell disorders known broadly as hemoglobinopathies. The presentation by Emery et al of the University of Washington illustrates that the ARGENT cell-growth switch can be used to overcome one of the key limitations of stem cell gene therapy - the inability to deliver genes, such as globin, to a therapeutically relevant number of stem cells.

Treatment of inherited blood cell disorders, such as thalassemia (the most common genetic blood disease in the world) and sickle cell anemia, are among ARIAD`s initial regulated stem cell therapy product applications. None of the current therapies for these diseases are curative, which creates a substantial market opportunity for innovative products that address the underlying genetic basis of these diseases.

Richard et al, also of the University of Washington, highlighted in a separate presentation that human progenitor cells, isolated from cord blood, can be stimulated to grow and develop into specialized blood cells in response to ARIAD`s dimerizer drug. Use of the ARGENT cell-growth switch in human cord blood - an expanding source of donor stem cells for transplantation - is an important step in the broader application of ARGENT stem cell therapy.

``Ongoing research from Dr. Anthony Blau`s group at the University of Washington suggests that patients with genetic blood disorders, such as thallasemia or sickle cell anemia, may be treated by administering stem cells derived from cord blood or other sources, engineered with the ARGENT cell-growth switch and a curative therapeutic gene, and then dosed with ARIAD`s dimerizer drug to stimulate production of the specifically modified blood cells in the body,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

The abstracts (3649 and 933) of the presentations by Emery et al, entitled ``Circumventing chromosomal position effects on globin gene vectors with an Mpl cell-growth switch,`` and Richard et al, entitled ``Regulated dimerization of c-Mpl can selectively expand transduced human cord blood cultured in the presence of cytokines,`` are published in Blood 96 (11), Nov. 16, 2000 and are available online at the meeting website (http://www.abstracts-on-line.com/abstracts/hem/). The abstract (2453) of a related presentation by Broudy et al, entitled ``Membrane localization is not required for Mpl function in normal hematopoeitic cells,`` also is published in Blood and is available online.

[gholzbauer]

"Gelesen heute: 105" halte ich für ein Gerücht. Die w-o-Zähler funktionieren wohl immer noch nicht.



Thursday December 7, 2:26 pm Eastern Time
New gene therapy approach may treat diabetes
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Cells in the stomach and intestine might be retrained, using gene therapy, to produce insulin and treat diabetes, scientists said in a report published on Thursday.

They said they had genetically engineered gut cells in mice to produce human insulin. The genetically engineered mice lived even after their pancreatic cells, which normally produce insulin, were destroyed, the researchers said.

Their report, published in the journal Science, is the second in as many months to suggest that gene therapy might be used to treat or even cure diabetes, which affects 16 million people in the United States alone.

The idea is to replace the insulin produced by pancreatic beta cells by genetically altering cells that make similar substances in the body. In type I, or juvenile, diabetes, the beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed and in type II, or adult-onset, diabetes the body is no longer able to use insulin effectively.

Anthony Cheung and colleagues at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, along with teams at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and Boston Medical Center in Boston, used cells in the gut called K cells, which are similar to beta cells.

They said there are few cells in the body that respond to glucose.

``K cells located primarily in the stomach, duodenum and jejunum secrete the hormone GIP, which normally functions to potentiate insulin release after a meal,`` they wrote in their report.

``Given the similarity between K cells and pancreatic beta cells, we proposed to use K cells in the gut as target cells for insulin gene therapy.``

They took these cells from mice and inserted the human preproinsulin gene, which can instruct cells to make insulin. They injected this new gene into mouse embryos and found when the mice were born, they produced human insulin in the small intestine and stomach.

``This insulin protected the mice from developing diabetes,`` the researchers wrote.

They tested this by destroying the beta cells of the mice. Normal mice died of diabetes but the genetically engineered mice survived.

This could be a useful approach for gene therapy for diabetes, Cheung`s group said.

``There are many features of the upper gastrointestinal tract that make it an attractive target for gene therapy,`` they wrote. It is easy to get to without surgery, using tools such as endoscopes, so it would be easy to deliver gene therapy directly to the area.

It also constantly sheds and renews cells, and the retroviruses used in many kinds of gene therapy work better in growing cells.

And it is full of stem cells -- the immature master cells that can give rise to many other types of cells, which are again preferred targets of gene therapy.

Theirs is the second report in as many months on gene therapy and diabetes. In November, teams at the University of Calgary and Yonsei Medical School in Seoul used genetic engineering to make mice produce human insulin in their livers.

In February a team at Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NasdaqNM:ARIA - news) said they genetically engineered mouse muscle cells to produce extra insulin when ``told`` to do so by a drug given orally.

[gholzbauer]

Monday January 8, 12:39 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Vaccine Research Demonstrates New Applications of ARIAD`S Regulated Cell Therapy
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARIA - news) today reported the results of in vivo studies demonstrating promising new applications of its ARGENT(TM) regulated cell-elimination technology for both the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

These findings, based on studies in animals with implanted human prostate tumors, are being presented at the Keystone Symposium, ``Gene Therapy 2001: A Gene Odyssey,`` by ARIAD collaborator David Spencer, Ph. D. from Baylor College of Medicine.

In the first set of in vivo studies, scientists delivered the gene for the ARGENT cell-death switch directly to the implanted prostate tumor using an adenovirus and then administered ARIAD`s gene-activating dimerizer drug to the animals. The tumor cells took up the cell-death gene, and the drug successfully caused controlled death and elimination of the prostate cancer cells.

The killed tumor cells then were used to develop a prostate cancer vaccine. Administration of this ARGENT cell-based vaccine to animals with implanted prostate tumors led to a significant delay in tumor growth, whereas use of cells killed by several alternative methods had little or no effect. Furthermore, in mouse models that develop prostate tumors spontaneously, ARGENT-based vaccination caused a substantial reduction in the incidence of new prostate tumors.

ARIAD`s lead clinical program, ARGENT regulated cell therapy for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, also is based on the use of the ARGENT cell-death switch. In this product, donor lymphocytes, which may attack a patient`s own tissues causing the unwanted graft-vs-host response, are engineered to die and be eliminated in response to one of ARIAD`s gene-activating dimerizer drugs. This product is in phase 2 clinical development.

``The research presented today from a leading immunology group highlights the broad utility of ARIAD`s gene regulation technologies. By being able to turn genes on and off in vivo, cell survival can be put under the control of small-molecule drugs. The development of a new cancer therapeutic and a cancer vaccine based on the ARGENT system represents a promising new application of this approach to cancer,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

[gholzbauer]

Tuesday February 6, 8:17 am Eastern Time
Press Release
ARIAD Appoints Fritz Casselman, Former SmithKline Executive, to New Position of Chief Business Officer and Senior Vice President
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced the appointment of Mr. Fritz Casselman to the newly created position of chief business officer and senior vice president.

Mr. Casselman currently is senior vice president, strategy and corporate development at Avant Immunotherapeutics, Inc. and most recently was director of worldwide business development at SmithKline Beecham, plc. At ARIAD, Mr. Casselman will be responsible for business development, licensing and commercial operations and will be a member of the Company`s executive committee.

Previously, Mr. Casselman was vice president and general counsel at Cambridge Biotech Corporation, a partner at Bromberg, Sunstein & Casselman, a high-technology law firm in Boston, and chief counsel of the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission. Mr. Casselman earned a J.D. from Boston University Law School and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin (Madison).

``Mr. Casselman`s wealth of experience in structuring and negotiating commercial partnerships makes him ideally suited to lead our business activities. Fritz brings almost twenty years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology expertise to our executive team,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

Mr. Casselman added, ``Given the untapped value of ARIAD`s technologies and products, completing a series of licenses and partnerships should be readily achievable. My highest priority is to further monetize these assets this year through revenue-generating transactions.``



Wird auch Zeit, daß hier was passiert.

[gholzbauer]

Ist doch kein Zufall, daß diese Meldung am Tag nach der CRA-Meldung zur vollständigen Sequenzierung des menschlichen Genoms herauskommt.

[gholzbauer]

Tuesday February 13, 8:19 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Ariad Announces New Patent On Determining the Function of Genes and Proteins
Highly Efficient Technology for Probing the Human Genome
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced the issuance of the first in a new series of patents on a novel approach to determining the function of genes and the proteins that they encode.

This technology, an application of the ARGENT(TM) gene regulation system, provides a powerful method to control the expression of genes in the genome of man and other animals. Using small molecules to regulate the extent to which a gene is activated, scientists can identify the physiologic or pathologic consequences of turning a given gene on or off. This technology has direct applications to interpreting the mass of information generated by the human genome project - identifying the specific functions and controls of each of the approximately 30,000 genes in the human genome and relating them to human biology and disease.

The newly issued U.S. patent (6,187,757) compliments over twenty patents that already have issued worldwide on ARIAD`s portfolio of gene regulation technologies, known as the ARGENT(TM), RPD(TM) and RGE(TM) technologies. ARIAD is developing these systems for rapid, high-throughput, stringent analysis of in vivo and in vitro gene function, as well as for dose-dependent control of gene and cell therapy products.

``With the entire human genome now available to scientists around the world, the challenge shifts to uncovering the function of each human gene and making use of this knowledge to develop innovative therapies,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D, chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. ``Commercial licenses to our gene regulation technologies, including the one described in today`s patent, are now available to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate their drug discovery efforts,`` added Dr. Berger.

The ARIAD patent is available online at the website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/search.html).

[gholzbauer]

Tuesday February 20, 8:28 am Eastern Time
Press Release
ARIAD Publishes Definitive Preclinical Results On the Use of Its Argent Graft-Vs-Host Disease Product
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today reported, in a paper published in the March 1, 2001 issue of the journal Blood, definitive preclinical studies supporting the use of the ARGENT(TM) gene regulation technology for the treatment for graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

ARIAD`s regulated cell therapy product, based on the ARGENT system, is in phase 2 clinical development.

GvHD occurs when donor lymphocytes, given after an allogeneic BMT to augment the patient`s immune system, attack the patient`s own tissues, contributing to the morbidity and mortality of the transplant. Many patients who could benefit from allogeneic BMT cannot receive this potentially curative therapy because of the risk of developing life-threatening GvHD.

ARIAD`s GvHD product involves infusion of donor T lymphocytes engineered with a gene encoding an inactive apoptosis (cell death) protein. These engineered lymphocytes maintain their beneficial anti-tumor and anti-viral effects. However, they are programmed to undergo apoptosis in vivo upon treatment with ARIAD`s gene-targeted small-molecule drug, AP1903. AP1903 is expected to be effective in treating GvHD, since it should cause dose-dependent elimination of the donor lymphocytes responsible for the abnormal immune response associated with GvHD.

In the newly published paper, scientists from ARIAD and the gene therapy and cell transplantation program at the Hospital San Raffaele in Milan, Italy systematically tested and validated the ARGENT GvHD product. They first optimized the design of the ARGENT ``cell-death`` switch for clinical use and demonstrated that the engineered human T cells can be readily separated from unmodified cells, allowing a pure population of engineered cells to be administered to patients. They then showed that engineered T cells can be eliminated efficiently and rapidly using very low doses of AP1903. A detailed dose-finding study was performed to define the optimal dosing regimen of AP1903 to be used in the clinical setting. They also showed that T cells engineered with the ARGENT cell-death switch could mount a strong immune response -- a requirement for clinical use.

Together with recently presented clinical data, the results published in Blood provide a compelling rationale for clinical development of the ARGENT GvHD product. ARIAD`s collaborators at the Hospital San Raffaele are conducting a phase 2 trial of this product in patients with chronic leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma undergoing allogeneic BMT.

``This publication in the official journal of the American Society of Hematology underscores the strong scientific and medical foundation for the ARGENT GvHD product,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. ``Our product has the potential to significantly lower mortality and morbidity in post-transplant patients and substantially expand the population of patients that could benefit from BMT procedures by reducing the risk of GvHD,`` continued Dr. Berger.

The paper by Thomis et al, ``A Fas-based suicide switch in human T cells for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease,`` can be accessed at the journal`s website (www.bloodjournal.org).

[FLOTSAM_AND_JETSAM_US]

ARIAD Announces Discovery of New Oncology Drug Candidates At UBS Warburg Life Sciences Conference


CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 11, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA) today announced results of recent studies on its new small-molecule drug candidates to treat bone metastases and solid tumors.

AP23451, a small-molecule inhibitor of bone breakdown being developed by ARIAD to treat cancer that has spread to bone, is targeted to enter clinical trials during the second half of 2002. Bone metastases are a frequent and debilitating complication of many cancers, especially breast, prostate, and lung cancer and multiple myeloma. Bone metastases, like osteoporosis, result in severe bone loss but also are associated with local pain, fractures, vertebral instability and compression, and elevations in blood calcium often to life-threatening levels. Use of a drug that blocks bone resorption, such as AP23451, may lead to a less favorable environment for cancer cell proliferation and growth by reducing the cell-growth promoters released locally by the breakdown of bone. ARIAD`s development of AP23451 complements its ongoing development of a dual-action drug candidate to treat osteoporosis - a compound that stimulates bone formation in addition to blocking bone resorption.

Another major advance in ARIAD`s oncology product portfolio is the development of AP21626 and its analogs to treat solid tumors. Compounds of the AP21626 class block cell cycle and growth of tumors by down-regulating a key signaling pathway that is accentuated in cancer cells deficient in a tumor suppressor gene, known as PTEN. This suggests that these compounds may be especially potent against cancers that are deficient in PTEN, such as cancer of the prostate, uterus, pancreas, and ovaries, as well as melanoma, leukemia, and gliomas. Genetic characterization of such tumors may allow selection of patients most likely to benefit from ARIAD`s new drug candidate.

"Today`s announcement of the discovery of two new cancer drug candidates, along with our product candidates to treat graft-vs-host disease following T cell immunotherapy and to treat anemia, underscores our commitment to building a hematology and oncology business," said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD.

The Company`s programs in bone therapeutics (osteoporosis and bone metastases) will be the subject of four presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, which begins tomorrow in Phoenix, Arizona. Further information about this meeting is available at the Society`s website (www.asbmr.org).

ARIAD is engaged in the discovery and development of breakthrough medicines that regulate cell signaling with small molecules. The Company`s lead product candidates - treatments for bone metastases and bone pain, osteoporosis, cancer, anemia and graft-vs-host disease following T cell immunotherapy - all were developed through the integration of genomics, proteomics and structure-based drug design. ARIAD`s RegTech cell-signaling regulation technologies are being used by almost 500 academic investigators providing a robust source of potential new technologies, drug targets and product candidates that the Company may develop. ARIAD also has an exclusive license to pioneering technology related to the discovery and development of drugs that modulate the cellular protein, NF-(kappa)B, and its associated pathways, which regulate the transcription of key genes involved in many major diseases. Additional information about ARIAD can be found on the web at www.ariad.com.

[gholzbauer]

Ach ja, die guten Ariad ...
Ich hatte mal irgendeinen Blödsinn von 50-100$ geschrieben lang ist`s her ...
Wenn nicht bald Partnerschaften und Lizenzabkommen folgen, lautet mein Kursziel ungefähr 0.

[gholzbauer]

Friday October 12, 7:32 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
New Data On ARIAD Drug Candidates to Treat Bone Metastases and Osteoporosis Presented
Four reports at annual meeting of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 12, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced that comprehensive data establishing the activity, selectivity, and potency of its lead product candidates to treat bone metastases and osteoporosis are being reported, for the first time, at the twenty-third annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Four presentations will be made at the international meeting, which begins today, by scientists from ARIAD and leading academic teams headed by Brendan Boyce, M.D. of the University of Rochester Medical Center and Michael Rosenblatt, M.D. of Harvard Medical School and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Dr. Boyce reports that ARIAD`s small-molecule drug candidates, AP23485 and its analogs, both block bone resorption and stimulate bone formation. The dual activity of specific compounds makes them ideal candidates for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. In animal models of postmenopausal osteoporosis, ARIAD`s product candidates prevent bone loss and increase bone mass and strength. These beneficial effects were achieved through an entirely different molecular mechanism than that of currently marketed drugs such as the bisphosphonates.

Dr. Boyce also presented data showing that AP23451, ARIAD`s drug candidate to treat the complications of cancer due to bone metastases, produced dose-dependent, potent inhibition of bone resorption and blood calcium levels in animal models. Dr. Rosenblatt`s group independently corroborated the potent anti-resorptive activity of AP23451 analogs using x-ray computed tomography to quantitate bone density and architecture in an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

``Currently available therapies for bone metastases and osteoporosis have important clinical limitations. The studies presented at the ASBMR meeting represent major advances in the development of our drug candidates to treat these diseases,`` said Harvey J. Berger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of ARIAD. ``AP23451 is targeted to enter clinical trials during the second half of 2002.``

ARIAD`s product candidates for bone metastases and osteoporosis are both inhibitors of a cell signaling protein, known as the Src tyrosine kinase. ARIAD scientists designed drug candidates that selectively inhibit this protein only in bone using a novel chemistry that optimizes the bone-binding affinity of the compounds. As a result, ARIAD`s proprietary compounds are highly selective, potent and without evident toxicity. David Dalgarno, Ph.D., vice president, physical and chemical sciences of ARIAD, will describe this achievement.

An overview of ARIAD`s bone-targeted product development programs also will be presented by Tomi Sawyer, Ph.D., vice president, drug discovery of ARIAD, at a special symposium sponsored by the Working Group on Hormone-Receptor Interactions held during the ASBMR meeting.

The ASBMR abstracts (Boyce, 1048; Rosenblatt, F425, and Dalgarno, M311) are available online at the Society`s website (www.asbmr.org).

[gholzbauer]

1 von dpaAFX 29.10.01 17:25:01 4747153
CAMBRIDGE (dpa-AFX) - Nach einer Pressemitteilung über die Entdeckung gleich mehrerer hochwirksamer Moleküle zur Krebsbekämpfung stieg am Montag der Aktienkurs von Ariad Pharmaceuticals deutlich.

Bei fast 25 Mal so hohem Volumen wie im Monatsdurchschnitt kletterte der Aktienkurs bis 17.08 Uhr des Biotech-Unternehmens um 56,78 Prozent auf 4,97 US-Dollar, während der marktbreite NASDAQ-Composite-Index um 1,43 Prozent auf 1.743,74 Zähler abgab.

Nach Unternehmensangaben hätten die Moleküle in Versuchen das Wachstum von Brust-, Prostata, Lungen-, Nieren- und Knochenkrebs gestoppt. Danach sollen gleich mehrere Verbindungen die für das Krebswachstum notwendige Zellkommunikation unterbinden. Angaben über die weitere Nutzung oder Weiterentwicklung der Verbindungen machte das Unternehmen nicht./so/js



Autor: dpa - AFX (© dpa),17:25 29.10.2001

------------------

Cancer research boosts Ariad shares

By Ted Griffith, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 9:41 AM ET Oct. 29, 2001


CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (CBS.MW) -- Shares of Ariad Pharmaceuticals soared 60 percent in early trading Monday after the biotech firm said it had discovered experimental compounds that could potentially be used to fight cancer.

The compounds appear to inhibit cellular signals linked to cancer, the company.

Ariad scientist Marie Rose van Schravendijk is presenting the company`s findings at the International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Miami Beach.

"The discoveries being reported today clearly demonstrate the strength of our drug discovery program," said Harvey J. Berger, chairman and chief executive of Ariad, in a statement.

The small biotech firm`s announcement did not specify what the company`s plans are for further development of the early-stage compounds. An Ariad spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

Often, compounds that show initial promise in the lab fail to live up to expectations in later, more extensive testing on patients.

Shares of Cambridge, Mass.-based Ariad (ARIA: news, chart, profile) jumped $1.83 to trade at $5 in recent action, after climbing as high as $5.50 shortly after the opening bell.

Ted Griffith is a reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com

--------

Die Meldungen von heute wurden im Grunde schon am 11.10. mitgeteilt, s.#50.


Die Ankündigungen von heute sind natürlich wieder alle Entwicklungen im vorklinischen Stadium.
Stärker würde mich interessieren, wo die Lizensierungen von Argent/Rapid bleiben und wie es mit dem GvHD-Projekt steht.

Lots of science, lack of deals, IMHO.

[qbass]

29.10. 17:48
Ariad entdeckt Krebsheilmittel- Kursexplosion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(©BörseGo - http://www.boerse-go.de)

Eine wahre Kursexplosion gibt es heute beim Biotechunternehmen Ariad Pharmaceuticals (ARIA) zu beobachten, welches zeitweise um 73,5% zulegen konnte. Momentan liegen die Aktien um 57,7% bei 5$ im Plus.

Das Unternehmen hatte zuvor bekannt gegeben, daß es eine Reihe von Medikamenten entdeckt habe, welche Krebs bekämpfen könnten. Nach ersten Testergebnissen hätten diese das Wachstum von Brust-, Prostata-, Dickdarm-, Lungen-, Knochen und Blutkrebs blockieren können.

Ariad will die genauen Informationen heute auf der Internationalen Konferenz zur Molekularforschung und Krebstherapien in Miami Beach präsentieren.



http://62.146.24.165/news/?show=42258

[gholzbauer]

Thursday November 1, 7:29 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ARIAD Closes $8 Million Direct Equity Placement
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 1, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced a direct equity placement of 1,927,712 shares of its common stock to selected institutional investors at $4.15 per share for gross proceeds of $8 million. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. served as placement agent for the offering. The shares were offered through a prospectus supplement pursuant to the Company`s effective universal shelf registration statement.

[Bizcom]

@gholzbauer Kann ich nun davon ausgehen,dass sich der Kurs wegen der Plazierung um die 4$ halten wird?

[gholzbauer]

Nö.

Nur wenn ARIA z.B. endlich die Gensteuerungstechnologien Argent(TM)/Rapid(TM) an eine oder ein paar andere Biotech/Pharma-Firmen lizensiert (mit damit verbundenen substanziellen Zahlungen, nicht etwa ein paar Prozent Anteil an Medikamentenverkäufen ab 2010 o.ä.), wäre mit einer grundsätzlichen Trendwende zu rechnen. Leider kommt zu diesem Thema immer nur Gesülze über die tollen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten, aber die Deals bleiben bisher aus.
Andere positive Ereignisse wären der lang erwartete Beginn der Phase II-Studien zum GvHD-Projekt, oder der Einstieg von Geldgebern in die GvHD-, Krebs- und Osteoporose-Projekte.

Ariad hat es versäumt, den Biotech-Hype von 2000 für eine größere Kapitalaufnahme zu nutzen, und wird deshalb einen großen Teil der zukünftig möglichen Umsätze an finanzkräftige Partner abgeben müssen, um die Produkte überhaupt bis zur Marktreife entwickeln zu können.
Dennoch könnte die weitere Verwässerung durch zusätzliche Aktienemissionen in Zukunft erheblich sein.

Bis auf weiteres taugt ARIA nur zum Zocken. Z.B. bei 2$ oder 2.5$ einsammeln, und nach einer halbwegs positiven Nachricht wie am 29.10. wieder rausschmeissen, dann 2 Dollar tiefer wieder kaufen usw.

[pauer1]

ARIAD hat in USA 2 Dollar geknackt!

Jetzt ist der Weg frei, wenn nicht wieder
unter 2 Dollar.

[Bizcom]

Ariad steht z.zt.bei 3,99$,demnach müsste der Weg längst frei sein.Ich frage mich nur,wo ist das Ziel?

[pauer1]

Sorryyyy, ich meinte 4$.

Im Online Brief Biotech, ein Blatt aus der Schweiz, schreiben sie über ARIAD. Spekulativ, haben Informationen aus USA, sie hätten etwas gegen Krebs in der Pippline.

Abwarten.

Das Blatt kommt nächste Woche wieder, mal sehen was dazu wieder schreiben.

[Bizcom]

Ariad hat gestern in den USA den ganzen Tag um die 4$ notiert,erst gegen 21:30 zogen sie bis auf 4,41$ an.Wenn das kein gutes Zeichen ist.

[pauer1]

In USA halten die 4$. Hohe Umsätze in USA.
Nächste Woche kann es bei nur einer guten Nachricht explodieren.

ARIAD war schon 50$.
100% könnten schnell erreicht werden. 10Euro

[pauer1]

Hoechst und ARIAD arbeiten zusammen!

http://www.archiv.hoechst.de/deutsch/news/97/007_97.html


Ein Ausschnitt

Hoechst Marion Roussel etabliert Biotechnologie-Zentrum in den USA

JV mit Ariad konzentriert sich auf Genomforschung

Hoechst Marion Roussel, der Pharmabereich von Hoechst, und ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. gründen ein Gemeinschaftsunternehmen, das auf dem Gebiet der funktionellen Genomforschung tätig sein wird, und an dem die beiden Unternehmen je zur Hälfte beteiligt sind. Vorbehaltlich der Zustimmung der Kartellbehörden haben Hoechst Marion Roussel und ARIAD vereinbart, 85 Millionen Dollar in den Aufbau des Joint Ventures und in die ersten fünf Jahre seiner Geschäftstätigkeit zu investieren.

Das Gemeinschaftsunternehmen mit dem Namen Hoechst-Ariad Genomics Center wird als amerikanisches Biotechnologie-Zentrum für funktionelle Genomforschung von Hoechst Marion Roussel fungieren.

[pauer1]

BB Biotech hält ebenfalls Aktien von ARIAD

[gholzbauer]

Die Aussagen aus #63 und #64 sind überholt.

Das JV mit Hoechst wurde Ende 99 beendet, BBBiotech hat ebenfalls Ende 99 alle ARIAD-Anteile verkauft (vor dem großen Anstieg! ).

[biologist]

@pauer1
Die Meldung stammt vom Juli 97. Das hättest Du schon an der URL sehen können! Aber keine Bange, ist mir auch schon mal passiert!!!

@all
Trotzdem scheint sich bei ARIA etwas zu tun! Der Kurs zieht in Deutschland merklich an. Auf den US-Message-Boards (Yahoo) geht die Meldung über die angebliche Bekanntgabe von Phase II Ergebnissen zu ARIAD`s GvHD um, die in einer klinischen Studie von italienischen Medizinern erzielt worden sind. Sie halten Ariad`s GvHD Produkt der zweiten Generation für "klinisch wertvoll". Ob die wahr ist????? Eine offizielle Pressemitteilung habe ich nicht gefunden. Hier der Beitrag eines Posters:

Quelle: http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?.mm=FN&action=m&board=7076574&…


gvhd

by: mitosis03 (M/Branch Offices) 11/18/01 11:52 am
Msg: 27415 of 27420

Dr. Berger comments in the interview, "Results of a clinical study presented at the ASH meeting of a graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) treatment developed by a group of Italian medical researchers underscored the clinical value of ARIAD`s second-generation GvHD product, because our product - which is in phase 2 clinical development - overcomes the limitations of the treatment they reported on, while maintaining its therapeutic benefits and targeted mechanism of action. In fact, the ARIAD GvHD product was specifically designed utilizing the ARGENT gene regulation system to address those limitations. The efficacy demonstrated in the Milan study provides compelling proof in man that lymphocyte elimination controlled by small-molecule drugs is an effective treatment strategy for GvHD.

The second generation gvhd statement is interesting..call Ariad ask them if they are in phase 2 gvhd, find out for yourself!...it`s better that way!"

Warten wir es mal ab! Eine kleine Position habe ich noch im Depot (allerdings kräftig im Minus!!!!).

cu biologist

[gholzbauer]

Ich habe die letzten Tage so ein seltsames Gefühl, als würden ARIA bald übernommen. CRA hat sicher weiteren Bedarf die Pipeline aufzufüllen. AXPH hat nicht allzu viel mitgebracht.

[biologist]

News bzgl. ARIAD: Upgrade to STRONG BUY von Ladenburg Thalmann. Z. Zt. ca. +20%.

Gruß

biologist

[LowBudget]

gestern gut +13%, heute schon + 4,7%
kennt jemand den aktuellen Hintergrund ??

[biologist]

News bei ARIAD, WKN 895301, ARIA

@LowBudget

Da ist Dein Hintergrund: Paßt wunderbar zu der Kaufempfehlung von Thalmann (strong buy)!


Friday December 7, 7:30 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Safety Benefits of ARIAD Regulated Erythropoietin Therapy to Treat Anemia Presented At Hematology Meeting
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2001--ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARIA - news) today announced results of preclinical studies comparing the safety profile of ARIAD`s regulated erythropoietin (Epo) product candidate with that of an uncontrolled version of Epo therapy in animal models. Severe anemia resulting from the genetic blood disease, beta-thalassemia, was effectively and safely treated using ARIAD`s product candidate. In contrast, all animals receiving an uncontrolled version of Epo therapy died within two months due to excessive levels of Epo and extremely high numbers of red blood cells.

The study being presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and ARIAD underscores the importance of dose-dependent regulation of protein therapy to achieve therapeutic benefit without life-threatening toxicity.


Gruß

biologist

[nessyone]

was ist los, habt ihr euch alle verkrochen???

bisher habe ich sehr interssiert eure kommentare gelesen.
gibt mir bitte jemand einen tipp, wo ich mich am besten über biotech-aktien rundum informieren kann?
... und wann soltte man am besten wo einsteigen?
.
thanks

[tobischlobi]

ARIAD.

Bald gibts Zahlen. Die sind zwar wichtig, aber nicht dahingehend, dass man weniger Verlust gemacht hat. Dies wird nicht passieren, die müssen noch viel Geld in die Forschung stecken. Deshalb: wird es gute Meldungen zu Fort / Neuentwicklung von "Produkten" geben. Bald ist es soweit und dann wird es wohl zu einer Gegenbewegung kommen, KZ kurzfristig (12 Wochen): 6-7 $

[haggibaer]

@tobischlobi

Weist Du wann die Zahlen kommen ?
Und warum fällt aria in letzter Zeit so ?
Warum glaubst Du an einen Anstieg bis auf 6-7$ ?

Vielen Dank für Deine Info

haggi - der aria seit längerer Zeit verfolgt