Vertex Pharmaceuticals erfogreicher Test mit Aidsmedikament - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[betterthantherest]

Bei 96% der Patienten, welche das von Vertex und Glaxo entwickelte Medikament Lexiva verabreicht bekamen, lag der Anteil der Viren nach 2 Jahren unter der Nachweisgrenze.

Wenn man die weltweit zunehmende Ausbreitung von Aids in Betracht zieht, kann man sich gut vorstellen, welches Potenzial in diesem Medikament und damit in Vertex steckt.


Reuters
Glaxo, Vertex drug keeps HIV at bay for two years
Tuesday July 13, 3:02 am ET

BANGKOK, July 13 (Reuters) - A new HIV-fighting drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline (London:GSK.L - News) and biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqNM:VRTX - News) has demonstrated sustained virus suppression over two years, researchers said on Tuesday.

The drug, which is known as Lexiva in the United States and Telzir in Europe, is part of a class of AIDS medicines called protease inhibitors.

It offers an advantage over older protease inhibitors because fewer pills are needed. Patients only take two pills twice a day, or one pill twice a day plus another drug called ritonavir. Other medicines can require as many as eight pills twice a day.

New data presented at the 15th International AIDS Conference showed 96 percent of patients taking Lexiva/Telzir plus ritonavir in combination with other antiretrovirals had undetectable levels of virus in their blood after two years.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug last October and a final European green light is expected soon, following a positive recommendation from a panel of experts earlier this year.

Lexiva/Telzir is chemically similar to an older HIV drug from Vertex called Agenerase. The new product is expected to cannibalise much of the Agenerase market.

[gebby]

suuuper, dann dauert´s ja nur noch 13 jahre bis sie wieder bei meinem einstiegskurs von 30,20 € sind.....
und ich werde doch reich - mit aktien!

[betterthantherest]

Mein Einstieg lag bei ca. 15€.

Ich habe eine Versiebenfachung mit anschließendem Absturz in die Verlustzone mitgemacht. Das Ganze passierte relativ schnell. Einen ähnlichen Anstieg könnte ich mir aber durchaus noch einmal vorstellen.

[galaxy903]

ich hab bei 105 gekauft und bei 40 wieder verkauft.

Ich fasse den Mist nicht mal mehr an wenn sie das ultimative Krebsmittel erfinden

[betterthantherest]

@galaxy

Vielleicht solltest du deine Kaufkriterien überdenken.

Warum hast du bei 105 gekauft?

Weil die Aktie gestiegen ist, oder was war eigentlich der Grund?

[betterthantherest]

Die Genehmigung zur Vermarktung von Telzir in Europa könnte endlich zu signifikanten Umsätzen bei Vertex führen.


LONDON, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced today that they have received marketing approval from the European Commission for Telzir(R) (fosamprenavir) for the treatment of HIV infection in adults in combination with other anti-HIV medications. Protease inhibitors, like Telzir, act by inhibiting the HIV-1 protease enzyme leading to the formation of immature virus and preventing the infection of new cells. Telzir was co-discovered by GSK and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

When combined with other antiretroviral drugs, Telzir has demonstrated its ability to reduce the concentrations of HIV in plasma in both antiretroviral treatment-naive and experienced patients. Telzir with low-dose ritonavir offers a low pill burden (4 tablets per day), good tolerability, and may be dosed with or without food and water, which may facilitate HIV-infected patients`` long-term adherence to therapy.

"The European approval of Telzir is good news as it gives clinicians and HIV-infected patients a simpler and well-tolerated treatment option," commented Lynn Marks, M.D., Senior Vice President of Infectious Diseases at GSK. "Today``s approval is supported by an extensive clinical trial programme. Recent interim 96-week data for Telzir demonstrated sustained viral suppression, improved immunological status and a lack of protease resistance mutations in previously treatment-naive patients receiving Telzir boosted with ritonavir."

"Telzir``s potency, tolerability, and convenience profile make it an excellent choice for protease inhibitor-based combination therapy," said Tony Coles, M.D., Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at Vertex. "The approval of Telzir in the European Union marks an important step in bringing HIV patients new, state-of-the art treatment options. Our eleven-year collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline in the area of HIV protease inhibitors has been highly productive, and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovation to HIV patients and their physicians."

In connection with the approval, Vertex has earned a $1.5 million milestone payment that will be recognized as revenue in the third quarter of 2004.

Indication for Telzir

The indication for Telzir in the European Union is: Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir is indicated for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) infected adults in combination with other antiretroviral medicinal products. In moderately antiretroviral- experienced patients, Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir has not been shown to be as effective as lopinavir/ritonavir. In heavily pretreated patients the use of Telzir in combination with low dose ritonavir has not been sufficiently studied. In protease inhibitor (PI)-experienced patients the choice of Telzir should be based on individual viral resistance testing and treatment history.

Clinical Data

More than 1,200 people -- both treatment-naive and PI-experienced patients -- participated in clinical studies to test the safety and efficacy of Telzir with and without ritonavir. In all trials, study drugs were taken as part of combination therapy that included two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. In these clinical trials(1), Telzir with ritonavir demonstrated:

-- Durable anti-viral responses through 48 weeks of therapy in treatment- naive patients (<400 copies HIV-1 RNA/mL of blood in 69 percent of patients) and treatment-experienced patients (<400 copies HIV-1 RNA/mL of blood in 58 percent of patients) -- Each grade 2-4 drug-related adverse event was reported by <10 percent of treatment-naive patients, with less drug-related diarrhoea than nelfinavir -- No treatment-naive patients with wild type virus receiving Telzir with ritonavir developed any PI resistance mutations -- Each grade 2-4 drug-related adverse event was reported by <12 percent of PI-experienced patients -- Improved immunological status -- Durable virological suppression with boosted Telzir up to 96 weeks in treatment-naive subjects (interim observed analysis)

In the EU, the recommended dose of Telzir is one 700mg tablet twice-daily with one 100mg capsule of ritonavir twice-daily (BID) in combination with other antiretroviral medications in both antiretroviral treatment-naive and experienced patients.

GSK and Vertex will co-promote Telzir in key markets in Europe. Telzir is currently marketed in the United States under the brand name Lexiva(R).

[betterthantherest]

Es kann sich nur noch um Jahrzehnte handeln, bis dieser Laden endlich Geld verdient.


26.07.2004 22:05: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2004 Financial Results and Provides ...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) today reported consolidated financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.

For the quarter ending June 30, 2004, the Company``s net loss on a GAAP basis was $44.3 million, or $0.56 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $89.9 million, or $1.17 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, 2003.

Excluding restructuring and other charges, the loss for the quarter ending June 30, 2004 was $42.4 million, or $0.54 per basic and diluted share, compared to a loss of $45.4 million, or $0.59 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, 2003. The reduced loss was primarily the result of increased revenues and a decrease in research and development expenses.

Total revenues for the quarter ending June 30, 2004 increased to $18.5 million from $16.0 million in 2003, primarily due to increased HIV product royalties. Research and development expenses for the quarter ending June 30, 2004 were $47.5 million compared to $50.1 million for the second quarter of 2003. The decrease in research and development expenses reflects a focus of resources on clinical development of proprietary hepatitis C and inflammation product candidates. Sales, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ending June 30, 2004 were $10.2 million, as compared to $9.7 million for the second quarter of 2003.

The quarter ending June 30, 2004 includes a charge of $1.8 million for imputed interest cost relating to the Company``s accrual of restructuring and other expense.

Other interest expense, net, for the quarter ending June 30, 2004 was $2.0 million compared to other interest expense, net, of $0.9 million for the second quarter of 2003.

At June 30, 2004, Vertex had approximately $460.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, $162 million in convertible debt due September 2007, and $153 million in convertible debt due February 2011.

"We have strongly executed on our plan to advance our business during the first half of 2004, resulting in achievements across multiple fronts," stated Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "Notably, Vertex has entered into three new collaborations, reflecting our leadership position across a number of breakthrough areas. High-value collaborations represent a fundamental component of our business model, allowing us to capture significant near and long-term value for our research and clinical development investments."

Dr. Boger continued, "On the commercial front, we recently announced the approval of our new HIV protease inhibitor (PI), Telzir(R) (fosamprenavir calcium; marketed in the U.S. as Lexiva(R)) in the European Union (EU), providing clinicians and HIV-infected patients a simpler and well-tolerated treatment option. The launch of Telzir in the E.U. with our partner GlaxoSmithKline is an important step in the extension of our franchise efforts in the field of HIV."

"Our clinical progress to date in 2004 reflects our commitment to leadership in the development of breakthrough drugs that can transform the treatment paradigm for major diseases," Dr. Boger added. "We have taken key steps to advance our proprietary HCV product pipeline, initiating the Phase IIb METRO (MErimepodib TRiple cOmbination) study as well as first-in-human studies for our oral HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950. In addition, we have generated positive results from our Phase IIa pilot study of VX-702 in acute coronary syndromes (ACS)."

Dr. Boger continued, "During the second half of 2004, we anticipate announcing further progress in key research and clinical programs as we continue to focus on achieving important business objectives that enable sustained value creation."

Recent Corporate and Clinical Highlights

Vertex highlighted several key corporate and clinical milestones from the second quarter of 2004.

Corporate Milestones: -- Vertex and Merck entered into a global collaboration to develop and commercialize VX-680, Vertex``s lead Aurora kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, Vertex has received a $20 million up-front payment and will receive an additional $14 million in research funding over the next two years. In addition, Vertex could receive as much as $350 million in milestone payments, including $130 million for the successful development of VX-680 in the first oncology indication and additional milestone payments for development of VX-680 and follow-on compounds in subsequent major oncology indications. Merck will be responsible for clinical development and commercialization of VX-680 worldwide and will pay Vertex royalties on product sales. -- Vertex signed an agreement with Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation for the development and commercialization of the oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor VX-950 in Japan and other Far East countries. As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi could make pre-commercial payments of up to $33 million to Vertex and will pay royalties to Vertex on any commercial sales of VX-950 in Mitsubishi``s territories. Vertex retains exclusive development and marketing rights to VX-950 in the rest of the world, including North America and Europe. -- Vertex expanded its drug discovery and development collaboration with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT). Under the expanded collaboration, CFFT has committed $21 million in contracted research payments to Vertex through 2005. Vertex will retain the right to develop and commercialize any compounds discovered. Commercial and Clinical Milestones HIV: -- Earlier this month, Vertex announced that the European Commission has granted marketing clearance for the HIV protease inhibitor Telzir(R) (fosamprenavir calcium), indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection. Vertex anticipates that its partner GlaxoSmithKline will launch Telzir in the E.U. in the second half of 2004. HCV: -- Vertex announced today that patient enrollment has begun for the METRO study, a Phase IIb clinical trial evaluating the oral HCV therapy merimepodib (MMPD) in patients with HCV who are non-responders to prior treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The METRO trial is expected to enroll approximately 315 patients who will receive MMPD or placebo in combination with Pegasys(R) (peginterferon alfa-2a) and Copegus(R) (ribavirin). -- In June, Vertex initiated a Phase Ia clinical study of VX-950, an investigational oral protease inhibitor for the treatment of HCV infection. The objective of the trial is to assess safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in escalating single doses of VX-950 in healthy volunteers. Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammation: -- Vertex today announced top-line results from the pilot Phase IIa study of VX-702, a novel, orally active inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. The study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VX-702 in patients with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Preliminary results indicated that VX-702 met its primary endpoint of safety and tolerability. Treatment with VX-702 also resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of C-reactive protein (CRP), a key biomarker of inflammation. The Company expects to present detailed results from this study in a medical forum later in 2004.

The Company believes that the results from the pilot Phase IIa study support further development of VX-702 for the treatment of ACS. As part of the Company``s development program for VX-702, Vertex is also evaluating the clinical and commercial potential for VX-702 in additional indications, including chronic indications, in which a reduction of CRP is associated with clinical activity.

2004 Corporate Goals: Outlook

Vertex is on track to achieve its targeted milestones for 2004, which are important in sustained value creation for the Company. In the second half of 2004, Vertex expects to accomplish the following:

-- Establish new pharmaceutical collaborations * Such collaborations would augment development and commercialization of proprietary compounds as well as support Vertex``s discovery organization. -- Initiate multiple clinical trials * Vertex expects to begin a pilot Phase II study of MMPD in combination with ribavirin. In addition, the Company expects to initiate clinical evaluation of VX-950 in patients with chronic hepatitis C later this year. * Vertex expects to begin Phase IIa clinical development of VX-765 in an inflammatory disease indication. * Vertex anticipates that Merck will begin Phase I clinical development of VX-680, its lead Aurora kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of cancer. -- Select new drug candidates for preclinical development * Vertex has advanced discovery efforts underway targeting kinases, ion channels, and bacterial gyrase, and anticipates advancing preclinical drug candidates from one or more of these programs in 2004. Full Year 2004 Financial Guidance

This section contains forward-looking guidance about the financial outlook for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Vertex today reiterated its 2004 financial guidance that was originally provided on February 3, 2004. The Company expects that full year 2004 loss, before charges and gains, will be in the range of $140 to $150 million. Vertex anticipates a loss, before charges and gains, for the third quarter in the range of $37 million to $40 million.

"At the beginning of the year, we established several key initiatives to improve our operating profile and strengthen our capital structure," stated Ian Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Vertex. "With the successful signing of three strategic collaborations, the increase in revenues from Lexiva, recent approval of Telzir, and focused R&D investments, we have reduced our operating cash burn. Additionally, we successfully strengthened our balance sheet earlier in the year by exchanging 2007 convertible debt for 2011 convertible debt, and providing greater flexibility for equity conversion of the newly issued debt. We will continue to focus on these important financial aspects of our business."

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, Vertex``s financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Vertex provides its second quarter 2004 loss, guidance for a third quarter and full year 2004 loss, excluding any charges or gains, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company``s business, and uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company``s business and to evaluate its performance.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company``s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical partners. Vertex``s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the new HIV protease inhibitor Lexiva(R) (fosamprenavir calcium) with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) and Telzir(R) are registered trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Pegasys(R) and Copegus(R) are registered trademarks of Roche Pharmaceuticals.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) collaborations enable Vertex to capture significant near- term and long-term value for the Company``s research and clinical development investments; (ii) Vertex is positioned for clinical advancements in the areas of autoimmune disease and inflammation in the second half of 2004, and that Vertex anticipates announcing further progress in research and clinical programs in the second half of 2004; (iii) in the second half of the year, that Vertex expects to enter into new collaborations, begin a pilot clinical study of merimepodib in combination with ribavirin, initiate clinical evaluation of VX-950 in patients with chronic hepatitis C, begin a Phase IIa clinical study of VX-765 in an inflammatory disease indication, present detailed clinical data from a Phase IIa study of VX-702 in ACS, and advance additional new preclinical drug candidates from its research programs; (iv) Vertex expects Merck to initiate Phase I clinical development of VX-680; and (v) Vertex expects its 2004 loss, and its third quarter loss to be within the ranges set forth above. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex``s actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that any one or more of Vertex``s internal and external drug development programs will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons or due to patient enrollment issues or based on new information from nonclinical or clinical studies or from other sources, that Vertex will be unable to realize one or more of its financial objectives for 2004 as set forth above, due to any number of financial, technical or collaboration considerations, that future competitive or other market factors may adversely impact the commercial potential for our product candidates in HCV and inflammation; that our drug discovery efforts will not ultimately result in commercial products due to scientific, medical or technical developments, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex``s form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2004.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 2004 Second Quarter and Six Month Results Consolidated Statement of Operations Data (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Pharmaceutical revenues: Royalties $4,011 $2,020 $6,593 $3,941 Collaborative R&D and other revenues 14,530 13,932 29,461 28,000 Total revenues $18,541 $15,952 $36,054 $31,941 Costs and expenses: Royalty payments 1,328 668 2,174 1,320 Research and development 47,450 50,080 89,125 101,709 Sales, general & administrative 10,160 9,687 19,882 19,172 58,938 60,435 111,181 122,201 Other interest (income) / expense, net 2,035 921 3,472 (484) Loss excluding charge for retirement of 2007 convertible notes, restructuring and other expense and income / (loss) from discontinued operations $(42,432) $(45,404) $(78,599) $(89,776) Basic and diluted loss per common share excluding charge for retirement of 2007 convertible notes, restructuring and other expense and income/ (loss) from discontinued operations $(0.54) $(0.59) $(1.00) $(1.17) Charge for retirement of 2007 convertible notes (Note 1) - - (2,453) - Restructuring and other expense (Note 2)(1,837) (44,131) (3,655) (48,030) Income (loss) from discontinued operations (Note 3): Gain on sale of assets - - - 69,232 Loss from discontinued operations - (393) - (743) Total income (loss) from discontinued operations - (393) - 68,489 Net loss $(44,269) $(89,928) $(84,707) $(69,317) Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.56) $(1.17) $(1.08) $(0.91) Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding 78,807 76,764 78,356 76,588

Note 1: In February 2004. the Company exchanged approximately $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 for approximately $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of newly issued 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. This transaction resulted in a charge of approximately $2.5 million relating to the write-off of the remaining unamortized issuance charges for the $153.1 million of the 2007 5% convertibles notes, which were retired.

Note 2: For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred restructuring and other expense charges. The charge for the three and six months ending June 30, 2004 is $1.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively, and relates to an imputed interest cost in connection with the restructuring and other expense accrual. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, the Company recorded $44.1 million and $48.0 million, respectively, of restructuring and other expense. That expense includes anticipated costs to exit a facilities lease, including $2.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, of lease operating expense incurred prior to the decision not to occupy the leased space, as well as costs associated with the reduction of the Company``s workforce including severance pay, continuation of benefits and outplacement services in addition to the write-off of leasehold improvements and other assets. This expense has been estimated in accordance with SFAS 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and is reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances.

Note 3: The Company sold certain assets and liabilities of the Discovery Tools and Services business in March and December 2003, respectively. In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB 144 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"). SFAS 144 provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of. The combination of the assets sold in March 2003 and in December 2003 represents a component of the Company``s business that, beginning in 2002, had separately identifiable cash flows. As such, pursuant to SFAS No. 144, the tables presented in this release give effect to the disposition of the assets sold in March and December 2003, accounting for such assets as discontinued operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2003 the Company recorded total income from discontinued operations of $68.5 million, including a gain on the sale of assets.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 2004 Second Quarter Results Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In thousands) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2004 2003 Assets Cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities $460,368 $583,164 Other current assets 13,847 10,642 Property, plant and equipment, net 73,226 80,083 Restricted cash 52,416 26,061 Other noncurrent assets 24,194 24,461 Total assets $624,051 $724,411 Liabilities and Equity Deferred revenue, collaborator development loan and other current liabilities $80,750 $69,541 Accrued restructuring and other expense 56,701 69,526 Deferred revenue - noncurrent 38,385 51,771 Collaborator development loan - noncurrent 19,997 18,460 Other long term obligations 2,925 7,268 Convertible notes (due 2007) 161,867 315,000 Convertible notes (due 2011) 153,133 ---- Stockholders`` equity 110,293 192,845 Total liabilities and equity $624,051 $724,411 Conference Call and Webcast: Second Quarter 2004 Financial Results:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call today, July 26, 2004, at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review financial results and recent developments. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com/ in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International).

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing July 26, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. EDT running through 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 9, 2004. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 8660961. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex``s website until 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 9, 2004.

Vertex``s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

© PR Newswire

[Mannerl]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Closing of Convertible Note Exchange

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) announced today that it has completed the exchange of approximately $79.3 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 for approximately $79.3 million in aggregate principal amount of newly issued 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. The Senior Subordinated Notes were issued through a private offering to qualified institutional buyers. The Senior Subordinated Notes are convertible into Vertex common stock at a price equal to $14.94 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, which represents a 41.6% premium over the average closing price of the Vertex common stock over the four-day period ending on Monday, September 13 of $10.55. The Senior Subordinated Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.75% per annum, have a seven-year term and can be redeemed by Vertex on or after February 15, 2007.

Vertex now has $82.6 million in aggregate principal amount of its existing 5% Convertible Notes due 2007 and $232.4 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. The $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 issued in February 2004 and the newly issued $79.3 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 will trade as separate series.

Vertex has agreed to file a registration statement for the resale of the new notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the new notes within 120 days of today.

[Mannerl]

Vertex raises $80m for new fund

Vertex Management plans to close the new Israeli fund at $150 million.


Vertex Venture Capital will apparently become Israel`s third venture capital group to raise its third fund, following Pitango Venture Capital and Gemini Israel Funds.
Singapore daily "The Straits Times" reports that Vertex recently raised $80 million out of a planned $150 million for a new fund. Vertex Management senior vice-president Chua Joo Hock told the "The Straits Times", The returns are quite good and we continue to see opportunities there. The Israeli funds have performed well and have been among the better-performing funds that we have managed."

Hock cited the sale of Telegate to Terayon Communications Systems (Nasdaq:TERN) for $400 million and the sale of MoreCom to Liberate Technologies (Nasdaq:LBRT). He said that in each case, Vertex had earned more than ten times its investment.

Vertex president Yoram Oron, one of Israel`s leading venture capitalists, founded the company in 1997. Oron manages Vertex with managing partner Moshe Shahaf and four other partners. Vertex focuses on early-stage companies, investing $5-10 million in each deal. Vertex has invested in 300 US, Taiwanese, Singaporean and Israeli companies to date. A fifth of its portfolio is Israeli companies. Vertex has a reputation as a good and respected Israeli venture capital company, investing in communications security, IT and some types of biotechnology companies.

In response to the reports, Vertex said today that it did not divulge details of its capital raising.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 19, 2004

[Mannerl]

bist Du da investiert?

[betterthantherest]

Vertex Venture Capital

Das ist eine andere Baustelle.

[Mannerl]

ich mein natürlich schon das Pharmazieunternehmen!

MFG
Mannerl

[betterthantherest]

Bei Vertex Pharmaceuticals bin ich schon länger dabei. Mein Einsatz hatte sich schon einmal versiebenfacht. Zwischenzeitlich ist der Kurs jedoch so weit gefallen, dass die Hälfte meines Einsatzes verloren ist.

Man glaubt ja gar nicht, wie lange die Entwicklung eines neuen Medikaments dauern kann. Meine Zweifel werden immer größer, ob es diesem Unternehmen je gelingen wird etwas auf den Markt zu bringen, was letztlich auch zu Gewinnen führt.

Mir kommt es so vor, als ob sich das Management nur über die Jahre hinwegrettet und die dicke Kohle einschiebt.

Trotzdem bleibe ich dabei. Wäre ja auch zu ärgerlich, gelänge der Durchbruch, gleich nachdem ich verkauft habe.

[Mannerl]

Die Wertpapierexperten von "Fuchs Hitech" empfehlen risikofreudigen Anlegern die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) zu kaufen.

Nach dem jüngsten Kurseinbruch habe der Titel einen erneuten Ausbruchsversuch gestartet und am Freitag sogar den Höchststand von Anfang Juli überwunden. Bei 11 US-Dollar befinde sich jedoch noch massiver Widerstand. Das Unternehmen habe die Verlustschätzungen für das nächste Finanzjahr leicht reduziert.

[Bettelkrueck]

Fuchs Hitech liest ja hoffentlich keiner.
Ich glaube, daß wir uns durchaus darüber freuen können, daß die Anhänger der Sell-on-good-News-Philosophie sich aus dem Titel verabschiedet haben, und rechne mit einer kerngesunden Bodenbildung in den nächsten Tagen und Wochen, die die Kraft für einen nachhaltigen Aufwärtstrend vorbereiten könnte.
Bloß nicht die Eintagsfliegen auf sich aufmerksam machen!
Daytrader, Pfoten weg! Kein Goldfund, kein Nichts, auch nicht übernächste Woche!! Mühsame Entwicklungsarbeit!! Langweiliges Warten! Ksch, Ksch, kschschsch!!

[Mannerl]

Hallo Bettelkrueck!

(ein Neuzugang hier bei wo!)

Aktien sollte man eh als Wertanlange sehen und eigentlich nicht als Zock!

MFG
Mannerl

[Bettelkrueck]

Hallo Mannerl,
wenn ich es recht verstanden habe, dann ist doch der Unterschied zwischen Anleger und Zocker, daß jener das Warten gelernt hat, und dieser nicht warten kann oder will.
Oder negativ gesehen: der Anleger hält immer noch seine Eisenbahnaktien von 1827, der Zocker hält die Dinge in Bewegung und sorgt für eine Zirkulation der Ideen.
Die Anleger kann ich bewundern (z.B. Warren Buffet), aber von den Zockern kann ich eine Menge lernen, und vor allem helfen sie mir, daß ich nicht noch selbstgefälliger werde, als ich es ohnehin schon bin.
Also nichts gegen die Zocker, das kschscht war natürlich spaßhaft gemeint.
Und wenn es letzteren gelingt, den Vertex-Kurs unter sechs EU zu treiben, dann werde ich vor der überlegenen Macht (eventuell auch überlegenen Weisheit) meinen Hut ziehen und mit Verlust verkaufen.
Aber angesichts der nicht gar so abschreckenden Nachrichtenlage könnte es ja auch mal anders kommen.
Und dann würde die Aufgabe sein, wegen 20% Kursgewinn nicht gleich in Panik zu geraten, was ja auch (wie ich mühsam gelernt habe) etwas Übung erfordert.
Okay, jetzt höre ich schon auf zu philosophieren, nur noch schnell ein herzliches Danke für die substantiellen Beiträge!
Gruß
Bettelkrueck

[Mannerl]

man sollte "etwas" Geld in die Zockerei geben und das "Meiste" anlegen!

bist Du ein Zocker oder mehr ein Anleger?

[Bettelkrueck]

Hallo Mannerl,
im Prinzip wohl eher Anleger. Nokia habe ich schon gekauft, als sie noch vorwiegend Gummistiefel herstellten (übrigens hervorragende Gummistiefel), und zur Zeit sind meine Lieblingswerte K&S, R.Stahl und BP.
Werde da auch nicht wegen eines Schlaglochs aussteigen.
Vertex Pharma ist nun schon etwas spekulativer - aber ein bißchen Kick darf ja auch mal sein. Habe jetzt natürlich nicht Haus und Hof investiert.
Aber der Titel interessiert mich. Relative Schwäche zur Nachrichtenlage (wie auch relative Stärke zur Nachrichtenlage, klassisches Beispiel Siemens) deutet doch darauf hin, daß die Seitwärtstendenz bald mal zu Ende sein könnte.

[Mannerl]

das mit den Eisenbahnunternehmen....!

ich hab sogar ein paar Threads dazu laufen...

wems interessiert!

[michulki]

Bei Vertex waren mir vor ein paar Tagen schon die hohen Umsätze aufgefallen.

Heute wieder, 6% rauf. Nicht schlecht.

Michael

[Bettelkrueck]

Das ist doch merkwürdig: immer wenn ich mir einen Wert zugelegt habe, also jedenfalls in 75% der Fälle, und vor allem bei den späteren richtigen Erfolgsstories, geht der Kurs kurz nach Kauf erstmal recht deutlich nach unten.
Wenn ich jetzt kurzfristig ausgerichtet wäre, hätte ich mich längst von der Börse verabschieden müssen.
Vielleicht hat das etwas mit dem mysteriösen Ding zu tun, das Kostolany als "Logik AG" bezeichnet, von dem ich aber noch nicht ganz genau verstanden habe, was er damit meint. Jedenfalls fange ich schon an, abergläubisch zu werden, und wenn mir ein Wert kaufenswert scheint, investiere ich häufig erstmal nur ne Teilsumme.
Insofern kommt mir der Kursanstieg jetzt (FSE 9,48) gar nicht so recht gelegen...
Habe zwar zu den schönen Kursen unter 9 nochmal kräftig nachgelöffelt, aber etwas mehr hätt es doch sein dürfen.
Naja, man soll den anderen auch was gönnen. Darf meinetwegen auch weiter steigen.

[Indie.Jana]

!

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

[Mannerl]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2004 Financial Results and Provides Clinical Update

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) today reported consolidated financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2004.

For the quarter ending September 30, 2004, the Company`s GAAP net loss was $38.8 million, or $0.49 per basic and diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $86.4 million, or $1.12 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending September 30, 2003. The net loss for the quarter ending September 30, 2003 included a restructuring and other expense charge of $42.4 million.

Excluding restructuring and other charges, the loss for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 was $36.2 million, or $0.46 per basic and diluted share, compared to a loss of $45.2 million, or $0.59 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending September 30, 2003. The reduced loss was primarily the result of increased revenues.

Total revenues for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 increased $11 million to $26.8 million from $15.8 million in 2003, primarily due to increased collaborative revenues from increased HIV product royalties from the sales of Lexiva(R) and from new collaborations.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 were $48.8 million compared to $49.6 million for the third quarter of 2003. Sales, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 were $10.6 million, as compared to $9.4 million for the third quarter of 2003.

Other interest expense, net, for the quarter ending September 30, 2004 was $2.2 million compared to $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2003.

At September 30, 2004, Vertex had approximately $418 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, $232.4 million in convertible debt due February 2011 and $82.6 million in convertible debt due September 2007.

[betterthantherest]

Bei Vertex weiß ich auch langsam nicht mehr was ich von der Firma halten soll. Wenn man bedenkt wie lange die schon am Forschen sind und noch immer ist nichts Anständiges dabei herausgekommen.

Ein echtes Trauerspiel.

Hauptsache das Management füllt sich die Taschen.

[Mannerl]

gut dass ich nicht alle Deine Aktien auch habe...

[betterthantherest]

Zu Vertex hatte ich ja auch geschrieben, es handelt sich um meine einzige wirkliche Spekulation auf eine glorreiche Zukunft. Einer Nichtspielernatur könnte ich auch beim besten Willen kein Engagement in diese Aktie empfehlen.

[Mannerl]

Aufnahme in meiner LIste bei
bei 7,05€ am 15.07.2004
dabei ein Minus bis jezt von 0,75 %

es ist immer eine Frage des Zeitpunktes!

[betterthantherest]

Aber wenn die weiterhin nur Geld verbrennen und kein lukratives Medikament auf den Markt bringen ist die Zukunft absehbar.

Das geht nach dem Motto: Geld weg, Kurs weg.

[Bettelkrueck]

Habe inzwischen mal satte 3 Prozent meines Portfolios in Vertex (und mehr kriegt von mir auch die beste Aktie nicht.)
Kann natürlich sein, daß sie nichts gescheites zustande bringen, aber wer kann das wirklich vorhersagen?
Die Situation scheint mir doch die zu sein, daß ein Lichtblick (oder vermeintlicher Lichtblick) ganz schnell den Kurs nach oben bringen könnte, während umgekehrt das Hoffen und Harren eher so langsam vor sich hin abkrümelt im Lauf der Monate, also die Chance mit mäßigen Verlusten davonzukommen, so schnell nicht verloren geht...
Oder seh ich da irgendwas schief?

[betterthantherest]

Ich komme immer mehr zu der Überzeugung, dass es besser ist, bei solchen Firmen abzuwarten, bis sie es in die Gewinnzone geschafft haben.

Wenn das, was auf den Markt gebracht wird, wirklich etwas taugt, hat man noch genügend Zeit, um am Aufstieg des Unternehmens zu partizipieren.

Nur ist dann das Risiko weitaus begrenzter.

[NOBODY_III]

01.11.2004 14:13:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results from First-in-Human Study for VX-950, an Investigational Oral Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

BOSTON, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor VX-950 is well-tolerated and has favorable pharmacokinetic properties in healthy volunteers, according to Phase Ia clinical results presented by researchers from Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) held this week in Boston. Based on the positive results from this study, Vertex is now planning to initiate a Phase Ib clinical trial of VX-950 in healthy volunteers and in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

"VX-950 is a novel approach to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C that directly targets an enzyme the virus requires for replication," stated John Alam, M.D., Senior Vice President for Drug Evaluation and Approval at Vertex. "We look forward to demonstrating VX-950`s clinical activity in a first study in HCV patients, which we expect to initiate in the next several weeks."

VX-950 Results and Clinical Plans

The Phase I study reported today involved healthy volunteers and was placebo-controlled. Researchers assessed safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in escalating, single oral doses of VX-950 ranging from 25 mg to 1250 mg. In the study, VX-950 was well-tolerated at all dose levels and was not associated with any serious adverse events. In addition, there did not appear to be an increase in adverse events with increasing dose levels.

Pharmacokinetic assessments showed that VX-950 is orally bioavailable and achieved desired blood concentrations at and above the middle range of the doses tested. Liver exposures to VX-950 were predicted based on integrated preclinical and clinical data. These analyses suggest that average liver concentration values are up to 57-fold above the replicon 90% inhibitory concentration ("IC90") and 113-fold above the 50% inhibitory concentration ("IC50") based on antiviral activity of VX-950 in the replicon assay. The liver is the target organ for antiviral therapies directed against hepatitis C infection.

Based on the encouraging results from this study, Vertex expects to initiate a multi-dose, Phase Ib clinical study with VX-950 in November 2004. The study will be conducted in Europe. This placebo-controlled trial will be designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity of up to 14 days of dosing with VX-950 in both healthy volunteers and in patients with HCV infection.

Additional VX-950 Preclinical Data Presented by Vertex Researchers at AASLD

In addition to the Phase Ia clinical study results for VX-950 being reported today, Vertex scientists presented or will present the following poster or oral presentations related to the VX-950 research and development program:

* "In Vitro Resistance Mutations Against VX-950 and BILN 2061, Two HCV Protease Inhibitor Clinical Candidates: Single-Resistance, Cross- Resistance, and Fitness"; Poster # 552 * "A Novel Animal Model to Assess HCV NS3-4A Protease Inhibitors Validated Using VX-950 and BILN 2061"; Poster # 546 * "Development of a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infectious Virus Assay"; Poster # 1213 * "Expression of HCV Protease in the Liver of Mice Results in Liver Injury which can be Inhibited by VX-950"; Oral Presentation #266 About VX-950 and Hepatitis C

VX-950 is Vertex`s lead oral HCV protease inhibitor and one of the most advanced of a new class of antivirals in development for HCV. Beginning in 1997, Vertex scientists pioneered novel chemistry and virology-based approaches to design oral inhibitors of HCV protease, efforts which contributed to the discovery of VX-950. Preclinical data have shown that VX- 950 significantly reduces levels of HCV-RNA in both the replicon system and infectious virus assays within days. Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies completed to date have indicated that VX-950 is orally bioavailable and achieves excellent exposure in the liver, the target organ for HCV treatment. Vertex holds exclusive development and marketing rights to VX-950 worldwide, except for Japan and certain Far East countries where Vertex is collaborating with Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health concern affecting approximately 2.7 million people in the United States. HCV causes inflammation of the liver, which may lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, liver cancer and ultimately, liver failure. Cirrhosis of the liver resulting from chronic HCV infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the U.S. Due to the asymptomatic nature of HCV infection, it often goes undetected for up to 20 years following initial infection. Worldwide, the disease strikes as many as 185 million people. Each year, 8,000 to 10,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of HCV.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical partners. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the new HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Phase I clinical results support the initiation of a Phase Ib clinical study in patients with chronic hepatitis C; (ii) a Phase Ib study is expected to commence in November 2004; (iii) adverse events did not increase with increasing dose levels of VX-950; (iv) Vertex looks forward to demonstrating the antiviral activity of VX-950 in patients; and (v) the concentrations of VX-950 observed in the bloodstream of healthy volunteers increase the likelihood that antiviral activity will be observed in HCV- infected patients. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, supply or patient enrollment issues, that antiviral effects VX-950 observed in nonclinical studies will not be replicated in a human clinical setting, that the pharmacokinetic results obtained in the initial clinical study will not be replicated in future studies, that observed bloodstream concentrations of VX-950 will not produce expected antiviral activity, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2004 and amended on September 8, 2004.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contacts: Lynne Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations [phone]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

[betterthantherest]

Wenn die Entwicklung von Medikamenten nur nicht so verdammt lange dauern würde.

[NOBODY_III]

Nach den vielen negativen Meldungen ist diese positive Studie doch immerhin ein Lichtblick wie auch die gestrige Kursentwicklung zeigt.

[Mannerl]

ein ziemliches auf und ab...

[betterthantherest]

Eine Auszeichnung fürs Geldverdienen wäre mir lieber.


08.11.2004 14:20:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Receives Distinguished Recognition by Scientific American Magazine

NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) has been named a Business Leader by Scientific American magazine in its annual list recognizing outstanding acts of scientific and technological leadership from the past year. Vertex was chosen based on its leadership in the development of new medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

"Scientific American believes strongly that the best hope for a safer, healthier, more prosperous world rests in the enlightened use of technology," said John Rennie, Editor-In-Chief of Scientific American. "The Scientific American 50 is our annual opportunity to salute the people and organizations making that possible through their outstanding efforts as leaders of research, industry and policymaking."

Selected by the magazine`s Board of Editors with the help of distinguished outside advisors, the Scientific American 50 recognizes research, business and policy leaders in various technological categories including Medical Treatments, Computing, Environment and more.

Vertex has been named Business Leader in Medical Treatment based on efforts by the Company to develop VX-950, an oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor and one of the most advanced of a new class of direct antivirals in development for treatment of HCV infection. Earlier in 2004, Vertex initiated a first-in-human clinical trial for VX-950, and last week the Company reported results from that trial in a late-breaker presentation at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases` annual meeting in Boston. Today, Vertex announced that it has begun the first study of VX-950 that will enroll patients with hepatitis C.

"Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a serious public health concern for some 2.7 million people in the United States alone," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "VX- 950 exemplifies Vertex`s commitment to people infected with chronic HCV by developing innovative medicines that can transform their care."

Vertex`s drug development portfolio includes two different approaches for advancing the future standard of care in HCV. In addition to VX-950, Vertex is developing merimepodib, an IMPDH inhibitor in combination with pegylated interferon alpha (peg-IFN) and ribavirin. Addition of merimepodib to standard therapy has the potential to enhance antiviral activity and improve clinical outcomes for a larger percentage of patients. Vertex owns worldwide development and commercialization rights for merimepodib, and owns worldwide development and commercialization rights to VX-950 except for Japan and certain Far East markets.

The Scientific American 50 appears in the magazine`s December issue, which hits newsstands November 23.

Clinical Need and Market Opportunity in HCV Infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health concern affecting approximately 2.7 million people in the United States. HCV causes inflammation of the liver, which may lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, liver cancer and ultimately, liver failure. Cirrhosis of the liver resulting from chronic HCV infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the U.S. Due to the asymptomatic nature of HCV infection, it often goes undetected for up to 20 years following initial infection. Worldwide, the disease strikes as many as 185 million people. Each year, 8,000 to 10,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of HCV.

The current standard of care in HCV treatment is a combination of weekly injections of peg-IFN and daily oral dosing of ribavirin. This combination therapy provides a sustained viral response for only 40 to 50 percent of patients chronically infected with genotype 1 HCV, the most difficult viral strain to treat and the most common form in the U.S.

[betterthantherest]

Wozu nur die vielen Studien? Andere Unternehmen testen doch auch erst beim Kunden.


08.11.2004 14:35:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Advancement to Phase Ib Clinical Trial for VX-950, an Investigational Oral Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) announced today the initiation of a Phase Ib clinical trial for VX-950, an investigational oral protease inhibitor for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The double-blind, placebo- controlled study will evaluate the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and viral kinetics of multiple, ascending doses of VX-950 over a period of up to 14 days. Approximately 60 subjects will be enrolled in the study, which will include both healthy volunteers and patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. This is the first reported initiation of a study that involves 14 days of administration of an HCV protease inhibitor in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

"Vertex has been a pioneer in the discovery and development of direct antivirals for the treatment of HCV infection, which have the potential to transform HCV clinical care," said John Alam, M.D., Senior Vice President of Drug Evaluation and Approval at Vertex. "The Phase Ib study announced today is expected to provide us with important information on the ability of VX-950 to reduce viral load, which we expect will help to define the potential clinical impact of this new class of drugs."

Study Design

The clinical study will first assess healthy volunteers receiving multiple doses of VX-950 for a five-day period. Following this initial assessment, the study will evaluate three different doses of VX-950 in HCV patients, over 14 days of treatment in serially configured dose groups. Vertex plans to evaluate the data from the three dose groups in this double-blind, placebo- controlled study when the third dose is complete. The study, which will enroll subjects at two centers in Europe, may include patients with HCV who are either treatment-naive or treatment-experienced. Vertex anticipates that the Phase Ib study will be completed in the first half of 2005.

Preclinical studies have shown that VX-950 significantly reduces levels of HCV RNA in both an in vitro replicon system and infectious virus assays. In the Phase Ia clinical study, VX-950 was well-tolerated and demonstrated oral bioavailability. Furthermore, combined clinical and preclinical pharmacokinetic results indicate that VX-950 can be administered in a dose regimen that may achieve liver concentrations substantially greater than target concentrations (IC50 and IC90 in non-clinical studies).

[blb]

Kopf hoch, nach dem Absturz hat sich der Kurs die letzten Monate deutlich stabilisiert. Wichtig wär, dass sie ein Medikament erfolgreich durchbringen. Dann wird auch das Vertrauen der Anleger wiederkommen. Die Kosten sind aber immer noch immens. Versteh auch nicht, warum sie die nicht besser in den Griff bekommen...

Grü
blb

[Mannerl]

Novartis Selects Drug Candidate for Clinical Development from Protein Kinase Research Collaboration with Vertex

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) today announced that Novartis (Nachrichten) has selected a small molecule protein kinase inhibitor, VX-322, from Vertex for clinical development for the treatment of cancer. VX-322 is the first drug candidate to be transferred from Vertex to Novartis under an amended agreement to discover and develop drug candidates directed at the protein kinase gene family, and represents a novel, highly targeted approach to the treatment of cancer. In conjunction with the selection of VX-322, Vertex will receive $10 million from Novartis, a portion of which will be recognized by Vertex as revenue in the fourth quarter of 2004, with the remainder recognized through the term of the contract

[betterthantherest]

Ist ja toll.

Dann macht Vertex nur noch 140 statt 150 Mio Verlust.

Vielleicht wird`s ja doch noch was bis zu meinem nächsten Leben.

[NOBODY_III]

15.11.2004 13:56:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcast of its Presentation at the CSFB 2004 Healthcare Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) will webcast its corporate presentation at Credit Suisse First Boston (Nachrichten)`s 2004 Healthcare Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The presentation will be delivered by John Alam, M.D., Vertex`s Senior Vice President, Drug Evaluation and Approval on Thursday, November 18, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. E.S.T.

The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the audio webcast will also be available on the Company`s website until December 2, 2004. To access the audio webcast, go to Vertex`s website and select `Credit Suisse First Boston`s 2004 Healthcare Conference` from the `Events Calendar.` To ensure a timely connection to the webcast, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical partners. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

[NOBODY_III]

Noch `ne Präsentation

02.12.2004 13:58:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcast of its Presentation at the Harris Nesbitt Focus on Healthcare Conference 2004

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) will webcast its corporate presentation at Harris Nesbitt`s Focus on Healthcare Conference 2004 in New York City. The presentation will be delivered by Ian Smith, Vertex`s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 11:45 a.m. EST.

The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company`s website until December 22, 2004. To access the webcast, go to Vertex`s website and select `Harris Nesbitt Focus on Healthcare Conference 2004` from the `Events Calendar.` To ensure a timely connection to the webcast, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical partners. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


Quelle: PR Newswire

[NOBODY_III]

United Utilities underlines Vertex potential
Tue 14 Dec 2004

LONDON (SHARECAST) - United Utilities proved once again the importance of gaining control of Vertex as it gave details of another potential contract.

The company’s Contract Solutions business and Vertex are currently in negotiations with Fujitsu Services to provide services to Walsall Council and have now been named preferred suppliers.

Vertex will manage a number of Walsall`s business processes, from administration to customer services while Contract Solutions will provide property and facilities management services across the councils` portfolio of buildings.

The contract is expected to be worth some several hundred million pounds in total to United Utilities, and formal contract signature is due early next year.

Chief executive John Roberts said, “Together with our Westminster City Council contract, Vertex is involved in three of the largest local government business process outsourcing deals ever let.”

“By working together Vertex and United Utilities Contract Solutions are able to offer a broader spectrum of services to clients. Through this contract we`re targeting a number of other business opportunities,” added Roberts.

United Utilities announced last month that it was snapping up the remaining 14.6% stake it did not own in Vertex from Capgemini for £47.5m in cash.

Separately United Utilities also confirmed today that it would now accept both final determinations from energy regulator Ofgem and water regulator Ofwat, saying its cost cutting plans should enable it to meet the efficiency targets.

Quelle: http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_i…

[leonide]

# 42

Handelt sich wohl kaum um Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc!
Oder?

leonide

[NOBODY_III]

Du hast natürlich recht. Sorry!

Wäre auch zu schön gewesen.

[betterthantherest]

Diese Meldung betrifft die richtige Vertex, wobei das alles nichts nützt, wenn nicht endlich Medikamente gewinnbringend unter die Leute gebracht werden.


Press Release Source: GlaxoSmithKline

Viral Suppression of Once Daily LEXIVA Plus Ritonavir Sustained Over 120 Weeks In ART-naive Subjects, According to Study Presented at DART
Wednesday December 15, 3:00 pm ET

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The protease inhibitor (PI) LEXIVA® (fosamprenavir calcium) plus ritonavir (LEXIVA/r) dosed once daily (QD) demonstrated sustained viral suppression and safety over 120 weeks, according to data presented here today at the Frontiers in Drug Development for Antiretroviral Therapies (DART) conference. The findings are from study APV30005, a rollover study that enrolled 211 patients who completed 48 weeks of treatment in the SOLO study (APV30002) with LEXIVA/r QD in combination with abacavir and lamivudine twice daily. Results of the study were based on Observed and Missing or Discontinuation= Failure (MD=F) analyses.

LEXIVA was co-discovered by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX - News).

LEXIVA is indicated for the treatment of HIV infection in adults in combination with other antiretroviral medications. The following points should be considered when initiating therapy with LEXIVA/r in PI-experienced patients: the PI-experienced patient study was not large enough to reach a definitive conclusion that LEXIVA/r and lopinavir/ritonavir are clinically equivalent. Once-daily administration of LEXIVA plus ritonavir is not recommended for PI-experienced patients.

LEXIVA is the first PI to offer flexible dosing options with no food or fluid restrictions.

Study APV30005

Undetectable viral load (VL) (<400 copies/mL) was observed at 120 weeks in 159 of 171 subjects (93 percent, Observed) and 159 of 211 subjects (75 percent, MD=F) taking LEXIVA/r.

Other findings at 120 weeks:

-- No primary or secondary PI mutations were observed in patients who had
no baseline mutations and who experienced virologic failure (>=1,000
copies/mL).
-- CD4 cells increased a median of 292 cells/mm3 from baseline median of
168 cells/mm3
-- 91 of 98 patients (93 percent, Observed) and 91 of 120 patients (76
percent MD=F) with low baseline (BL) CD4 counts (<200 cells/mm3)
achieved undetectable VL, and 32 of 33 (97 percent, Observed) and 32
of 42 (76 percent, MD=F) with BL CD4 <50 cells/mm3 achieved
undetectable VL (Observed).


"This analysis concluded that long-term treatment with LEXIVA/r resulted in sustained viral suppression, continued increase in CD4 cell count, no selection of PI resistance in virologic failures, and no new safety concerns," said Joe Gathe, M.D., clinical instructor, department of internal medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

Lipodystrophy Data at 120 Weeks

The data presented at DART complement 120-week data presented at the International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV, which found no increase in the proportion of patients with fat redistribution or wasting between week 48 and week 120 among ART-naive patients taking LEXIVA/r QD. Of the patients with no body composition changes at baseline, fat redistribution was reported by 34/180 (19 percent) at week 48 and 29/156 (19 percent) at week 120. This study included 211 treatment-naive patients from the SOLO trial who continued taking LEXIVA/r through 120 weeks (Study APV30005).

A median increase of 4 kg in body weight was observed from baseline to 120 weeks (n=170), and, there was no median change in waist/hip ratio. Redistribution/accumulation of body fat including central obesity, dorsocervical fat enlargement (buffalo hump), peripheral wasting, facial wasting, breast enlargement, and "cushingoid appearance" have been observed in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. The causal relationship, mechanism, and long-term consequences of these events are currently unknown.

LEXIVA may be dosed three different ways in ART-naive patients: 1) two 700 mg tablets twice daily (BID), 2) two 700 mg tablets once daily (QD) in combination with two 100 mg capsules of ritonavir QD (LEXIVA/r QD), or 3) one 700 mg tablet BID in combination with one 100 mg capsule of ritonavir BID (LEXIVA/r BID). For PI-experienced patients, the recommended dose is one 700 mg tablet BID in combination with one 100 mg capsule of ritonavir BID.

The FDA approval of LEXIVA was based on experience in more than 1,200 HIV- infected people -- both ART-naive and PI-experienced patients -- who participated in three pivotal Phase III trials to test the safety and efficacy of LEXIVA with and without ritonavir. In all three trials, study drugs were taken as part of combination therapy that included two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Important Safety Information about LEXIVA

HIV medicines do not cure HIV infection/AIDS or prevent passing HIV to others.

LEXIVA is contraindicated in patients with previously demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity to any of the components of this product or to amprenavir. Hyperglycemia, new onset or exacerbations of diabetes mellitus, and spontaneous bleeding in hemophiliacs have been reported with protease inhibitors.

LEXIVA is contraindicated with ergot derivatives, cisapride, pimozide, midazolam, and triazolam. If LEXIVA is coadministered with ritonavir, flecainide and propafenone are also contraindicated. The most common adverse events seen in clinical trials with LEXIVA were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and rash. Treatment with LEXIVA/r has resulted in increases in the concentration of triglycerides. Triglyceride and cholesterol testing should be performed prior to initiating therapy with LEXIVA and at periodic intervals during therapy.

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world`s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and an industry leader in HIV research and therapies. The company is engaged in basic research programs designed to investigate new targets to treat HIV. For full prescribing information please go to http://www.treathiv.com .

GSK`s Bridges to Access program can help provide qualified individuals with access to GSK`s antiretroviral medications, as well as help identify insurance or other support for medications. Patients may be eligible for this program if they are not eligible for prescription drug benefits through any other private or public insurer, payer, or program. In 2003, GlaxoSmithKline donated more than $205 million worth of prescription drugs to 400,000 patients. For more information, visit http://www.bridgestoaccess.gsk.com or call 1-866-PATIENT.

At a Glance

According to the 120-week data from the rollover study APV30005 presented at DART:

-- From 75 percent (MD=F) to 93 percent (Observed) of treatment-naive
patients taking ART regimens containing LEXIVA + ritonavir dosed once
daily maintained undetectable viral loads (<400 c/mL).
-- No new safety concerns were observed.
-- No primary or secondary PI mutations were observed in patients who had
no baseline mutations and who experienced virologic failure defined as
>=1,000 copies/mL.


The data presented at DART complement 120-week lipodystrophy data which observed no changes in the proportion of patients with fat redistribution between week 48 and week 120.

LEXIVA is the first PI with flexible dosing and no food or fluid restrictions, which may help simplify ART regimens for some patients.

[betterthantherest]

Und noch mal in Deutsch.

15.12.2004 21:55:
Glaxo/Vertex: Erfolg bei Aids-Studie

Der Protease-Inhibitor Lexiva, entwickelt von GlaxoSmithKline (Nachrichten) und Vertex Pharma (Nachrichten)ceutical, hat in Kombination mit Ritonavir (Abbott Labs) in einer Aids-Studie eine erfreuliche Wirksamkeit gezeigt. Wie die Unternehmen bekannt gaben, konnte durch die einmal tägliche Verabreichung der Medikamenten-Kombination die Virenentwicklung über 120 Wochen hinweg unterdrückt werden. Lexiva wird meist in Verbindung mit anderen Präparaten gegen die Entstehung von Retroviren bei erwachsenen HIV-Patienten eingesetzt.

GlaxoSmithKline verbessern sich in New York derzeit um 0,11 Prozent auf 45,63 Dollar, Vertex geben an der Nasdaq 0,44 Prozent auf 11,42 Dollar ab.

[betterthantherest]

Das habe ich inzwischen auch schon bemerkt.

17.12.2004
Vertex Pharmaceut. Ersteinschätzung
J.P. Morgan Securities

Rating-Update:

Die Analysten von J.P. Morgan Securities stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) in einer Ersteinschätzung mit "neutral" ein. Die Pipeline weise zwar einige bedeutende Lizenzmöglichkeiten auf, doch würden sich die Präparate noch in frühen Entwicklungsphasen befinden.

[AragornMW]

Hallo zusammen!

Aussichten 2005: 60% Potential gem CSFB:

Update Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Outperform (Credit Suisse First Boston)
Aktien & Co


Die Analysten von Credit Suisse First Boston bewerten in ihrer Analyse vom Mittwoch, 5. Januar 2005 die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. neu mit dem Rating "Outperform". Das Kursziel für die Aktie liegt momentan bei 16 $.

Analyst: Credit Suisse First Boston
Rating des Analysten: Outperform

Diese Seite drucken
Quelle: Aktien & Co 05.01.2005


Ciao, AMW

[betterthantherest]

Am Besten gefällt mir die Erklärung für das Kursziel.

[betterthantherest]

Worüber ich gerne mal lesen würde, wäre die erfolgreiche Einführung eines Medikamentes und die daraus hervorgehende, explosive Gewinnentwicklung.


06.01.2005 14:04:
Vertex and Merck Announce First Clinical Study for Aurora Kinase Inhibitor, VX-680, in Solid Tumor Cancers

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- Merck & Co. (Nachrichten) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) announced today that they have begun a Phase I clinical study for VX-680, a small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases, in patients with solid tumor cancers. The open-label, dose escalation study conducted at two major cancer treatment centers is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VX-680 when administered in multiple cycles to patients with solid tumors refractory to prior chemotherapy treatment. The initiation of this clinical study is supported by VX-680`s activity in both in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Merck and Vertex plan to initiate additional Phase I studies of VX-680 this year.

Aurora kinases are implicated in the onset of many human cancers, and Aurora kinase inhibitors such as VX-680 have the potential to play an important role in the treatment and management of a wide range of tumor types. In June 2004, Vertex and Merck entered into a global collaboration to develop and commercialize VX-680. Along with clinical development, Vertex and Merck are conducting a joint research program to characterize VX-680`s activity across a broad range of cancer types and will seek to identify additional drug candidates targeting the Aurora kinases.

"The Aurora kinases represent a target of high interest for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs because of the multiple roles Aurora kinases play in the development and progression of tumors," said Stephen H. Friend, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Molecular Profiling and Cancer Research at Merck Research Laboratories. "Oncology represents a key area of focus for Merck, and compounds such as VX-680 could potentially create a foundation for new types of chemotherapy regimens in the future treatment of cancer."

Aurora Kinases and Cancer

Cancer cells typically contain mutations in a number of genes, which ultimately result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor metastasis. As enzymes specific for and essential to cell growth and division, Aurora kinases hold the potential to be important control points for slowing the growth and spread of tumors. Aurora kinases (also known as BTAK and STK15) are a family of serine-threonine kinases that are believed to play multiple roles in the development and progression of cancer, by acting as regulators of cell proliferation, by transforming normal cells into cancer cells and by down- regulating p53, one of the body`s natural tumor suppressors. Aurora kinases are known to be over-expressed in many tumor types, including colon cancer, breast cancer and leukemia. Amplification of Aurora genes is associated with progression of colorectal cancer and poor prognosis in certain types of breast cancer.

Discovery of VX-680

VX-680 was discovered by scientists at Vertex`s Oxford, U.K. research site as part of a broad research effort targeting the kinase gene family. Vertex researchers published the three-dimensional atomic crystal structure of Aurora-A kinase in 2002, a key scientific advance that enabled the design and optimization of multiple classes of small molecule Aurora kinase inhibitors. VX-680 was advanced to preclinical development in 2002, following evaluation of the compound`s activity in tumor cell lines and in animal models of tumor growth. In studies published early in 2004, Vertex demonstrated that VX-680 induced tumor regression in xenograft models of human pancreatic and colon cancer. In addition, Vertex has presented data that shows that VX-680 prolonged survival and induced sustained remission in an oncogene driven model of human acute myelocytic leukemia (AML).

[betterthantherest]

Es kann sich nur noch um Jahre handeln


10.01.2005 14:14:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Updates Business Progress and Announces 2005 Product Development Goals at 23rd Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) today will review its 2004 achievements and will describe its 2005 product development goals and anticipated 2005 financial performance at JPMorgan (Nachrichten)`s 23rd Annual Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. The update will be presented by Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex`s website, http://www.vrtx.com/, at 4:30 p.m. EST, January 10, 2005. An archived webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex`s website through January 24, 2005.

"Our progress in 2004 was highlighted by significant clinical advances with our proprietary drug candidates, including the development of VX-950, one of the most promising in a new class of direct acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection," stated Dr. Boger. "Additionally, we strengthened our financial profile based on performance in our existing collaborations, signing of three new partnerships, and an improvement in our convertible debt structure. The increased revenue from collaborations provides a financial platform to support investment in our product pipeline and deliver value from our clinical programs in 2005."

2004 Corporate Achievements

Vertex reviewed its progress against 2004 milestones that enabled the Company to advance its business.

Financial Platform: * Increased revenues, reduced loss as compared to 2003 * Entered new collaborations with Merck, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics and Mitsubishi Pharma, and amended a collaboration with Novartis * Increased HIV product royalties * Improved capital structure Products: * Advanced proprietary HCV candidates, including the initiation of a Phase IIb triple combination study (METRO) of the oral therapy MMPD (merimepodib) and the initiation of a Phase Ib study of VX-950 in HCV patients * Advanced oral anti-cytokine product candidates, including completion of a Phase IIa study of VX-702 in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) that demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in CRP and initiation of a Phase IIa study of VX-765 in psoriasis * Named five new preclinical candidates from research, including a novel kinase inhibitor, VX-322, for treatment of cancer; a dual gyrase B/topoisomerase IV inhibitor, VX-692, for treatment of bacterial infection; and a novel ion channel modulator, VX-409, for treatment of pain

"The year ahead will be marked by a number of product development milestones in our core product pipeline that represent potential catalysts for value creation," continued Dr. Boger. "In 2005, we will seek to build on our leadership position in the development of novel oral HCV therapies that could enhance or change the current standard of care in HCV. In the near-term, we look forward to obtaining clinical data in patients with hepatitis C that support VX-950`s profile as a breakthrough compound that could fundamentally shift the treatment paradigm in HCV. We also look forward to completing enrollment in the Phase IIb METRO study of MMPD and defining the registration path for the product."

"Vertex also is a leader in the development of novel, oral anti-cytokine therapies. VX-702, our p38 MAP kinase inhibitor targeting the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and VX-765, our ICE inhibitor candidate for the treatment of psoriasis, both represent exciting new potential treatment options. In 2005, we expect to initiate clinical studies that we anticipate will further establish the clinical and commercial potential for these unique product opportunities," continued Dr. Boger.

"Additionally, we expect to realize important progress with our collaborative development programs, including the Aurora kinase inhibitor, VX- 680, which has just entered a Phase I study with Merck in cancer patients. VX-322 is advancing in preclinical development with Novartis, also for cancer," said Dr. Boger. "Progress in our ongoing drug discovery programs, as reflected by the recent advancement of new drug candidates into preclinical development, is expected to form the basis for new collaborations in the year ahead."

2005 Corporate Objectives

Vertex today will outline its key 2005 financial and corporate objectives, which are designed to contribute to the Company`s goal of becoming a major drug company.

Maintain and Enhance Financial Strength * Increase revenues (2005: $150-160 million), reduce loss (2005: $125-135 million) and maintain strong capital structure to support clinical investment * Sign new collaborations, primarily focused on early-stage assets * Increase HIV product royalties

Advance Vertex-Driven Products Toward the Market, and Realize Value in Collaborations

HCV * Report data from a Phase Ib clinical study of VX-950 in 1H05 and file an Investigational New Drug application (IND) in 2H05 to initiate Phase II development in the U.S. * Fully enroll the METRO study of merimepodib (MMPD) in 1H05 and define the registration path for MMPD in 2H05 * Complete in 2H05 a 28-day clinical virology study to evaluate the combination of oral compounds MMPD and ribavirin in HCV patients * Initiate a Phase II triple combination study of MMPD in treatment-naive patients in 2H05 Oral Anti-Cytokines * Initiate and enroll a three-month, 200+ patient Phase II study of the oral p38 MAP kinase inhibitor VX-702 in rheumatoid arthritis * Complete a four-week, Phase IIa safety and pharmacokinetic study of VX- 765 in psoriasis * Complete ongoing nonclinical toxicology evaluation of ICE inhibitor pralnacasan with partner Sanofi-Aventis Cancer * Complete initial Phase I clinical study with Merck of novel Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680 in solid tumors with Merck, and initiate additional clinical studies * Conduct preclinical program for the novel Flt-3/c-kit inhibitor VX-322 with Novartis Drug Discovery * Advance two or more new drug candidates from drug discovery into preclinical development Financial Outlook

In today`s presentation, Vertex will provide estimates of certain financial performance targets for 2005. The Company expects its loss, excluding certain charge and gains, to be in the range of $125 to $135 million, with total revenues of $150 to $160 million. Vertex plans to provide complete 2005 financial guidance when it releases its year-end 2004 financial results on Wednesday, February 9, 2005. In conjunction with its year-end 2004 financial results announcement, the Company will host a conference call at 5:00 pm EST, February 9, 2005. The conference call also will be webcast to all interested parties on Vertex`s website, http://www.vrtx.com/.

[Haraldius]

Kann das eigentlich mal jemand übersetzen? Bin nicht so gut in Englisch. Ist das möglich???????? Danke

[betterthantherest]

Übersetzten wird das wohl keiner. Das macht viel zu viel Arbeit. Die im Internet angebotenen Übersetzungsprogramme taugen auch nichts. Es bleibt also nicht anderes übrig als englisch zu lernen. Ist ja auch nicht schlecht für die Gehirnzellen.

Grundtenor dieses Textes ist, alles wird gut. Das heißt es allerdings auch schon seit Jahren.

[DrBio]

Solange der President Vicky Sato nicht aufhört kontinuierlich Aktien zu ca. 10$ auf den Markt zuwerfen werden wir wohl keine höheren Kurse sehen.
Siehe
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=VRTX

[betterthantherest]

Ich bin schon immer dafür gewesen alle Optionspläne zu streichen.

Als Aktionär wird man nur doppelt besch...

[betterthantherest]

Dr. Sato geht. So weit ich das beurteilen kann, war die Frau schon des längeren umstritten. Sonderlich erfolgreich im Sinne der Aktionäre war sie jedenfalls nicht.

08.02.2005 14:02:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Two Senior Management Changes

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) announced today that Dr. Vicki Sato will retire as President of the Company effective during the second quarter of 2005. Dr. Sato joined Vertex in 1992 as Vice President of Research and was named President of the Company in 2000. She plans to continue working with companies in the areas of life science and biotechnology and on expanding her commitment to her interests in education.

"Vicki has been instrumental in establishing Vertex as a leading innovator in small molecule drug discovery and in guiding the progress of our drug candidates into advanced clinical trials," said Dr. Joshua Boger, Vertex`s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We appreciate her many significant contributions to our business during her 14 years at Vertex."

Additionally, Vertex announced today that Dr. Victor A. Hartmann, M.D. will join Vertex as Executive Vice President, Strategic and Corporate Development. Dr. Hartmann joins Vertex from Novartis Pharma AG. Dr. Hartmann has more than 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience primarily in the areas of drug development, portfolio management and licensing. In this newly created position, Dr. Hartmann will lead the areas of Strategic Development and Portfolio Management, and will have responsibility for management of the Company`s Business Development and Corporate Development functions. In his role leading Strategic Development, Dr. Hartmann will work closely with Vertex`s Drug Evaluation & Approval and Drug Discovery & Innovation organizations. In addition, the Program Executives who lead Vertex`s cross- functional project teams through to launch will report directly to him. Dr. Hartmann will also serve on the senior management team. Dr. Hartmann will report to Dr. Vicki Sato during a planned transition period, and following that will report directly to Dr. Joshua Boger, Vertex`s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Following the transition period, Dr. Boger will also assume the title of President.

"Victor Hartmann brings broad pharmaceutical industry experience and an outstanding track record to Vertex. We look forward to Victor`s leadership and contributions to setting the strategic direction of the business as Vertex`s product candidates advance toward the market," said Dr. Sato. "I am delighted to welcome him to Vertex."

"I have come to know Vertex well and have been impressed with the innovative drive of the Company as well as its success in new areas of drug discovery and development," said Dr. Victor Hartmann. "I am enthusiastic about joining the Vertex organization and view Vertex as a Company that can play a key role in the future of the pharmaceutical industry."

"I`ve known Victor a number of years and believe that he brings leadership talent and a broad skill set that will benefit the organization at this stage of development and beyond," said Dr. Boger. "I expect Victor will play a pivotal role at Vertex as we continue to attract value creating partnerships and further advance our pipeline of innovative drugs."

Prior to joining Vertex, Dr. Hartmann held various positions at Novartis, most recently as Senior Vice President, Head Global Business Development and Licensing from 2000 to 2005. Prior to that, Dr. Hartmann was Vice President, Head Scientific and Business Evaluation, and from 1996 to 1999, Dr. Hartmann was Vice President, Head Global Project Management. From 1994 to 1996, he held various positions at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation (U.S.) and Sandoz Pharma AG including Vice President, Head Corporate Project Management. From 1982 to 1994, Dr. Hartmann served in a variety of roles at Boehringer Ingelheim including Vice President Medical Affairs in the United States. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Macalester College. He earned his M.D. degree at the University of Bonn, Germany and has a degree as a specialist in internal medicine.

[blb]

Vertex ist die letzten Tage sehr stark! Wir sind nun seit 2 Jahren in der Range 8-12$. Am 17.5. kommen Daten zu VX-950! Vielleicht gelingt ja der Ausbruch nach oben!

[leonide]

Hallo,
bei Vertex tut sich auch mal was und sogar positiv!
Meldung gibt es auch:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports that VX-950, an Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor, Displays Potent Antiviral Activity in Early Clinical Study

— Presentation of Study Results Planned at DDW —

Cambridge, MA, May 10, 2005 -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced interim results that indicate that the investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor VX-950 was well-tolerated and demonstrated potent antiviral activity in a Phase Ib clinical trial.

The study enrolled 34 patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection who were treated for 14 days with placebo or one of three dose regimens of VX-950. Patients receiving 750 mg of VX-950 every eight hours achieved a median reduction in HCV-RNA of greater than
4 log10, equivalent to a more than 10,000-fold decrease in viral levels, at the end of 14 days of treatment. A median reduction in HCV-RNA of greater than 2 log10 was seen in each of the other two VX-950 dose groups at the end of 14 days of treatment. Every patient receiving VX-950 achieved greater than a 2 log10 reduction in HCV-RNA within the first three days of treatment. Genotype 1 HCV infection is the most difficult strain of HCV to treat and the most prevalent strain in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. Results from the study will be presented by a clinical investigator on May 17, 2005 at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), a medical conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois. In accordance with the embargo policy of the meeting, the specific data from the trial beyond what is described in this press release will not be disclosed until the DDW presentation.

“Vertex is committed to developing innovative compounds for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. VX-950, one of the most advanced agents in a promising new class of direct antivirals, underscores that commitment,” said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. “The demonstration of antiviral activity in this early clinical study is highly encouraging, and we look forward to sharing these data in greater detail at DDW next week.”

Based on the results of the Phase Ib clinical study, the Company plans to explore the development of VX-950 as monotherapy and in combination with other HCV treatments. Vertex plans to consult with the U.S. FDA and European regulatory authorities on the Company’s development plans. Vertex expects to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in the second half of 2005 to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950 in the United States. In collaboration with Vertex, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation is developing VX-950 in Japan and certain Far East countries.

Trial Design
The Phase Ib clinical trial was a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on viral kinetics of three doses of VX-950 — 450 mg every 8 hours, 1250 mg every 12 hours, or 750 mg every 8 hours — over a period of 14 days, with additional post-treatment follow-up. A key goal of the study was to assess different dosing levels and frequencies for VX-950 to provide insight into dose selection for future monotherapy and combination therapy studies. Thirty-four patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection were enrolled in the study; six patients received placebo and 28 patients received
VX-950. The study was conducted at three centers in Europe. The trial included treatment-experienced and treatment-naïve HCV-infected patients.

VX-950 Demonstrates Antiviral Activity
Interim Phase Ib clinical trial results indicate that VX-950 was well-tolerated across all three dose groups with no serious adverse events reported, and no treatment discontinuations. Treatment with VX-950 also resulted in significant reductions in plasma HCV-RNA. Within three days of treatment, the median reduction in HCV-RNA was greater than 3 log10 in all three VX-950 dose groups. In the dose group receiving 750 mg of VX-950 every 8 hours, there was a further reduction in viral levels between days 3 and 14 of treatment, with mean and median HCV-RNA reductions of greater than 4 log10 at day 14. Trough plasma concentrations of VX-950 were highest in the 750 mg every 8 hour dose group. In the 450 mg q8h and 1250 mg q12h dose groups, maximal effects were seen between days 3 and 7 of treatment. Subsequently, there was an increase of approximately 1 log10 in median HCV-RNA between days 7 and 14 evident in both groups. Full analysis of the study, including a detailed pharmacokinetic and viral sequencing evaluation, is underway.

Web Cast Conference Call on May 17
Following the presentation of VX-950 clinical data at DDW, Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call on May 17, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This call will be broadcast live via the Internet at www.vrtx.com in the investor center until end of day on May 30, 2005. Alternatively, to listen to the call live on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International). The archived call will be available via telephone commencing May 17, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. EDT through 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 23, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone]. The conference ID number is 6231209 for both numbers.

[blb]

Aha, doch schon heute also! Da wussten einige mehr! Egal, klingt gut!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Vorbörslich bei 13$, +15%!!!

Wichtig wäre Schlusskurs über 12$...

Grüße
blb

[Zock1000]

von blb:
Aha, doch schon heute also! Da wussten einige mehr! Egal, klingt gut!

Nein, bleibt beim 17.5. (wie Du es sagtest.)

s.a. Zitat:
"Results from the study will be presented by a clinical investigator on May 17, 2005 at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), a medical conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois. In accordance with the embargo policy of the meeting, the specific data from the trial beyond what is described in this press release will not be disclosed until the DDW presentation."

Deutsch by "AltaVista":
Resultate von der Studie werden von einem klinischen Forscher an Mai 17, 2005 an der verdauungsfördernden Krankheit Week® (DDW), eine medizinische in dargestellt Chicago, Illinois gehalten zu werden Konferenz. In Übereinstimmung mit der Embargopolitik der Sitzung, werden die spezifischen Daten vom Versuch über was hinaus in diesem Pressekommuniquã© beschrieben wird, nicht bis die DDW Darstellung freigegeben.

Klingt trotzdem gut.
Gruß
Zock

[blb]

Ja, die Präsentation ist am 17., die Meldung heute sagt aber schon, dass VX-950 die Phase erfolgreich durchlaufen hat!



Bin mal auf den Schlusskurs gespannt...
Vorbösrlich neues Jahreshoch!

[Zock1000]

Mir missfällt, dass die in Amiland ein Riesen-GAP (1$) gerissen haben.
Um das zu schließen und dann wieder auf über 12$ zu kommen .... na, warten wir`s ab. Ich gebe meine nicht ab.
Gruß
Zock

[fasel]

sieht gut aus

[gmorf]

[Haraldius]

War das jetzt nur ein Strohfeuer oder explodierts hier gleich??????

[ABV2003]

Na endlich! Hier geht´s in den nächsten Tagen ab und ich werde meine Verluste verringern. Vertex ist für mich ganz klar weiterhin ein TOP-Unternehmen der Branche, auch wenn es die letzte Zeit (Ausnahme gestern) wenig zu lachen gab. Die Pipeline ist weiterhin voll; und dort arbeiten immer noch Top-Leute aus Pharma-Riesen, die bestimmt nicht einfach mal was Neues ausprobieren wollten. Da stecken handfeste Überlegungen dahinter (und nicht nur Aktienoptionen).

Mein Tipp: Dabei bleiben und in den nächsten Jahren einsammeln!

[ABV2003]

Steige weiter, mein Kurs, steige weiter. Und am 17.05. springst du auch mal

[bioperformer]

habe ich da was falsch verstanden oder ist es tatsächlich so, dass der Kurssprung der letzten Tage auf den Ergebnissen einer Phase1-Studie mit einer Laufzeit von 14 Tagen beruhen?

[blb]

Produktpipeline:

[betterthantherest]

[posting]16.591.173 von blb am 12.05.05 11:28:03[/posting]Wenn man bedenkt, wie lange bei Vertex bereits geforscht wird, so ist das bisherige Ergebnis schon ein Trauerspiel. Ich hoffe darum um so mehr, die Medikamente schlagen am Markt entsprechend ein.

[bioperformer]

zunächst mal danke fürs reinstellen der Produktpipeline.

Da diese jedoch schon seit geraumer Zeit ohne größere Kurszuwächse besteht, der Kurs jedoch am Tag der Bekanntgabe folgender News zulegte, gehe ich mal davon aus, dass also die Meldung ursächlich war.




BOSTON (MarketWatch) - Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. shot up over 20% on Tuesday on news that its drug candidate VX-950 was showing promise in treating hepatitis C.

Shares of Vertex closed up $2.21 at $13.40.

Early Tuesday, Vertex (VRTX: news, chart, profile) said that a Phase I clinical trial had shown VX-950 to be safe and effective in treating the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a debilitating inflammation of the liver.

[ABV2003]

@bioperformer: Richtig. Einzelheiten gibt´s dann am 17.05.2005. Ich hoffe nur, dass es wirklich super Nachrichten sind und der Kurs weiter steigt und nicht schon alles eingepreist ist. Warten wir es ab.

[blb]

@betterthantherest: Ich bin auch schon ziemlich lange investiert und wollte erstmal Erfolge abwarten, bis ich nochmal nachkaufe. Wir hingen ja monatelang zwischen 8 und 12$ fest! Nach dem Bruch der 12$ sieht es aber wieder besser aus. Fundamental ist weiterhin die extrem hohe Burnrate sehr negativ zu werten. Ohne Kapitalerhöhung wird der Cash nicht mehr lange ausreichen, das ist aber schon länger bekannt.

@bioperformer: Die Meldung kannst du weiter unten auch nachlesen. Es handelte sich tatächlich um die Phase 1B von VX-950. Der Kurssprung zeigt wie wichtig das Medikament für Vertex ist!

Allerdings ist es noch ein langer Weg bis zur Vermarktung, die Ergebnisse sollen aber für eine Phase 1 überragend gewesen sein!

Grüße
blb

[Haraldius]

Und was glaubt ihr nun wie hoch der Kurs nach dem 17. hochgeht oder runtergeht???

[leonide]

Hallo,

wie erwartet sehr gute Ergebnisse für eine Phase 1b Studie. Nicht mehr, nicht weniger. Weiterer Kursverlauf? Das schnelle Geld bedeutet das natürlich (noch) nicht.

ertex Pharmaceuticals Reports that Oral Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor,
VX-950, Dramatically Reduces Viral Levels in Phase Ib Clinical Study

— Five Patients on 14-day Clinical Study Achieve Plasma Levels
Below Limit of Quantitation —

Chicago, IL, May 17, 2005 -- In an oral presentation today at the Digestive Disease Week conference, Henk W. Reesink, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, presented results of a Phase Ib clinical trial with the oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor VX-950, an investigational drug discovered by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX). In the study, dosing with VX-950 for 5 and 14 days was well-tolerated in both healthy volunteers and in patients with chronic HCV infection. In addition, patients treated with 750 mg of VX-950 every eight hours achieved a median reduction of HCV-RNA of 4.4 log10, equivalent to a 25,000-fold reduction in viral levels, at the end of 14 days of treatment. At the end of 14 days of treatment, 4 of 8 patients in the 750 mg dose group tested HCV-RNA negative in the quantitative Roche COBAS TaqMan® assay (<30 IU/mL); 2 of these 4 patients tested undetectable in the qualitative Roche TaqMan® assay (limit of detection 10 IU/mL). A patient in another VX-950 dose group also achieved plasma HCV-RNA below the limit of quantitation by the end of treatment. All patients in the clinical trial had genotype 1 HCV infection, the most difficult strain to treat, and were either non-responsive to prior treatment or treatment-naïve. VX-950 is one of the most advanced of a new class of direct antivirals for hepatitis C.

“Preliminary results from this early Phase Ib clinical study suggest that the investigational drug VX-950 produces a rapid and profound reduction in HCV-RNA as a single agent,” said Prof. Reesink. “In the best dose group in the Phase Ib clinical study, VX-950 reduced HCV viral load in some patients to below the limit of detection of the most sensitive assays in two weeks. VX-950 was also well-tolerated in this study. These data further support the view that HCV protease is the most potent single mechanism for suppressing hepatitis C viral replication.”

“The antiviral effect of VX-950 in this first study has exceeded our expectations,” said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “The rapidity of viral load decline and the achievement of viral levels to below detection in some patients means that we have a broad opportunity to explore VX-950 in more advanced studies in hepatitis C patients. Vertex is committed to moving as rapidly as possible to advance VX-950 to the next stage of clinical development.”

Key Phase Ib Study Findings
Significant reductions in HCV-RNA were observed in HCV patients taking VX-950 across three dose groups — 450 mg every 8 hours, 1250 mg every 12 hours, or 750 mg every 8 hours — over a period of 14 days. Within three days of treatment, the median reduction in HCV-RNA was greater than 3 log10, a reduction of at least 1,000-fold, in all three VX-950 dose groups. In the dose group receiving 750 mg of VX-950 every 8 hours, there was a further reduction in viral levels between days 3 and 14 of treatment, with a median HCV-RNA reduction of 4.4 log10 at day 14. Trough VX-950 plasma concentrations were highest in the 750 mg every 8 hour dose group. At the end of treatment, 4 of 8 patients in the 750 mg dose group tested HCV-RNA negative in the quantitative Roche COBAS TaqMan‚ assay (<30 IU/mL), and 2 of these 4 patients tested undetectable in the qualitative Roche COBAS TaqMan‚ assay (limit of detection 10 IU/mL).

At the end of dosing, a total of 5 patients in the Phase Ib study across the dose groups tested HCV-RNA negative in the quantitative Roche COBAS TaqMan‚ assay (<30 IU/mL), reaching this level sometime between day 11 and 14. Following completion of the 14-day dosing period, a slow increase in HCV-RNA levels was observed during a 28-day post-dosing period in these patients. Twenty-eight days after receiving their last dose of VX-950, there were two patients that had viral levels of more than 1 log10 below their pre-treatment levels.

Preliminary data indicate that across the three dose groups, VX-950 was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations reported. In addition, no elevations of ALT/AST or other clinical chemistry findings were reported.

About VX-950
VX-950 is an oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication. Vertex completed a Phase Ia clinical study of VX-950 in healthy volunteers in 2004, which indicated that VX-950 was well-tolerated in ascending single doses up to 1250 mg. Pharmacokinetic results from the Phase Ia study suggested that VX-950 can achieve liver concentrations substantially greater than IC50 and IC90 observed in non-clinical studies. Preclinical studies, presented at various medical conferences in 2003 and 2004, demonstrated that VX-950 significantly reduces levels of HCV RNA in both an in vitro replicon system and infectious virus assays. Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

Next Steps
The Company is actively planning more advanced studies to evaluate VX-950 as monotherapy and in combination with other HCV treatments. Vertex plans to consult with the U.S. FDA and European regulatory authorities on the Company’s development plans. Vertex expects to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in the second half of 2005 to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950 in the United States. In collaboration with Vertex, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation is developing VX-950 in Japan and certain Far East countries.

Web Cast Conference Call on May 17
Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call on May 17, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (EDT) to review results from the Phase Ib clinical trial of VX-950. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at www.vrtx.com in the investor center and will be available until end of day on May 31, 2005. Alternatively, to listen to the call live on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International).

The archived call will be available via telephone commencing May 17, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. EDT through 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 24, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone]. The conference ID number is 6231209 for both numbers.

Background
Phase Ib Trial Design: Healthy Volunteers
The Phase Ib clinical trial involved dosing of VX-950 in healthy volunteers as well as patients chronically infected with genotype 1 HCV. Initially, 24 healthy volunteers were randomized to receive one of three doses of VX-950 — 450 mg every 8 hours, 750 mg every 8 hours, or 1250 mg every 8 hours — or placebo, for five days. The purpose of dosing in healthy volunteers was to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of VX-950 before proceeding to dosing in patients.

Healthy Volunteer Results
Full analysis of the data in healthy volunteers has been completed. No serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations were reported. The most common adverse events considered to be possibly related to study drug were headache (5 of 24 subjects), diarrhea (3 subjects), nausea (2 subjects), frequent urination (2 subjects) and sleepiness/drowsiness (2 subjects); all were mild in severity. No changes were observed in vital signs, physical examinations, or heart rhythm and electrical intervals (as measured by digital ECGs).

Phase Ib Trial Design: HCV Patients
Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled dosing of VX-950 in HCV patients was then conducted to evaluate the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on viral kinetics of three doses of VX-950 — 450 mg every 8 hours, 1250 mg every 12 hours, or 750 mg every 8 hours. Each dose was administered over a period of 14 days, with additional post-treatment follow-up. A key goal of this portion of the study was to assess different dosing levels and frequencies for VX-950 to provide insight into dose selection for future monotherapy and combination therapy studies. Thirty-four patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection were enrolled in the study. Six patients received placebo and 28 patients received VX-950. The study was conducted at three centers in Europe. The trial enrolled 25 patients who were non-responders to prior interferon-based regimens, and 9 patients who were treatment-naïve. In the HCV patient dosing portion of the study, patient demographics were similar across the three dose groups. Median serum viral load at study entry ranged between 6.13 log10 and 6.48 log10 HCV-RNA (approximately 1.5- 3 million IU/mL).

Vertex continues to evaluate data from the Phase Ib clinical study. Complete analyses of the safety and tolerability of VX-950, as well as pharmacokinetic and viral sequencing analyses for all patients, are underway.

About Vertex
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company’s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex’s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva®.

Lexiva® is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

About Digestive Disease Week
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 14-19, 2005 in Chicago. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex’s HCV protease inhibitor VX-950 is well-tolerated and produces rapid and profound reduction in HCV-RNA as a single agent; (ii) that Vertex expects to explore development of VX-950 as monotherapy and as part of combination therapy; (iii) protease inhibitor-based therapy has the potential to become a powerful option in future HCV therapy; and (iv) Vertex plans to file an IND during the second half of 2005 to support clinical development of VX-950 in the United States. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex’s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that (i) full analysis of the data, or further testing, will not reflect the interim results, or support any or all of the conclusions provided in this press release; (ii) clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, clinical trial results may not be available when expected, or expected regulatory filings may not occur or may be delayed due to adverse clinical or non-clinical trial developments; (iii) further clinical trials will not confirm the potential of VX-950 for the treatment of HCV infection; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex Contacts:
(Chicago Contacts)
Lynne Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
(Cambridge Contacts)
Katie Burns, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]

[fasel]

CHICAGO, May 18 /PRNewswire/ --




- Fünf Patienten in 14-tägiger klinischer Studie erreichen Plasmaspiegel
unterhalb der Bestimmungsgrenze




Dr. Henk W. Reesink ist ausserordentlicher Professor für Medizin am
Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. Während einem Vortrag heute an der
Konferenz "Digestive Disease Week" präsentierte er die Resultate eines
klinischen Phase Ib-Versuches mit VX-950, einem oralen Hepatitis C-Virus
(HCV) Proteasehemmer. VX-950 ist ein experimenteller Wirkstoff, der von
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) entdeckt wurde. Im Verlauf
der Studie wurden Dosierungen mit VX-950 für 5 und 14 Tage von sowohl
gesunden Freiwilligen, als auch Patienten mit chronischer HCV Infektion, gut
vertragen. Patienten, die alle acht Stunden 750 mg VX-950 verabreicht
bekamen, erreichten darüber hinaus eine mittlere Reduktion der HCV-RNS von
4,4 log10, was einer 25.000-fachen Reduktion der Virenanzahl entspricht. 4
von 8 Patienten in der Gruppe 750 mg testeten negativ für HCV-RNS mittels dem
quantitativen Roche COBAS TaqMan(R) Prüfsystem (<30 IU/ml); bei 2 dieser 4
Patienten konnten keine HCV-RNS nachgewiesen werden mittels dem qualitativen
Roche TaqMan(R) Prüfsystem (Erkennungsgrenze bei 10 IU/ml). Ein Patient aus
einer anderen VX-950-Dosierungsgruppe erreichte bei Behandlungsende ebenfalls
HCV-RNS-Plasmaspiegel unterhalb der Bestimmungsgrenze. Alle Patienten des
klinischen Versuchs hatten HCV-Genotyp-1-Infektionen. Dies ist der am
schwierigsten zu behandelnde Stamm. Die Patienten haben auf vorgängige
Behandlungen entweder nicht angesprochen oder waren behandlungsnaiv. VX-950
ist in einer neuen Klasse von direkt antiviralen Wirkstoffen zur Behandlung
von Hepatitis C einer der am weitesten entwickelten.




"Erste Resultate aus dieser frühen klinischen Phase Ib-Studie legen nahe,
dass das experimentelle VX-950 als Einzelwirkstoff eine schnelle und
signifikante Reduktion der HCV-RNS zu erzielen vermag", kommentierte
Professor Dr. Reesink. "Bei der besten Dosierungsgruppe in dieser klinischen
Phase Ib-Studie reduzierte VX-950 innerhalb von zwei Wochen den
HCV-Virenanteil bei einigen Patienten bis unterhalb die Erkennungsgrenze der
besten Prüfsysteme. VX-950 zeigte auch eine gute Verträglichkeit in dieser
Studie. Diese Resultate bestätigen demnach die Annahme, dass HCV-Protease die
wirkungsvollste Weise ist zur Unterdrückung der
Hepatitis-C-Virenreplikation."




"Die antivirale Wirkung von VX-950, die in dieser ersten Studie gezeigt
werden konnte, hat unsere besten Erwartungen übertroffen", ergänzte Dr.
Joshua Boger, Chairman, Präsident und Chief Executive Officer der Vertex
Pharmaceuticals, die Kommentare. "Diese schnelle Abnahme der Virenanzahl und
das Erzielen von Virenleveln unterhalb der Erkennungsgrenzen bei einigen
Patienten bedeutet die Grundlage für weitergehende Studien mit VX-950 als
Behandlung von Hepatitis-C-Patienten. Vertex wird sich dafür einsetzen, dass
die nächste Phase der klinischen Entwicklung von VX-950 so schnell wie
möglich beginnt."




Die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse aus der Phase Ib-Studie




In allen drei Dosierungsgruppen konnte bei HCV-Patienten, denen VX-950
verabreicht wurde, eine signifikante Reduktion der HCV-RNS beobachtet werden:
450 mg alle 8 Stunden, 1250 mg alle 12 Stunden oder 750 mg alle 8 Stunden;
während einer Periode von 14 Tagen. Innerhalb von drei Behandlungstagen
betrug in allen drei Dosierungsgruppen mit VX-950 die mittlere Reduktion der
HCV-RNS mehr als 3 log10, was einer mindestens 1000-fachen Reduktion gleich
kommt. In der Dosierungsgruppe, die alle 8 Stunden 750 mg VX-950 verabreicht
bekam, wurde eine weitere Reduktion der Virenanzahl zwischen dem 3. und 14.
Behandlungstag festgestellt. Die mittlere Reduktion der HCV-RNS betrug hier
4,4 log10 am 14. Tag. Der Tiefpunkt der VX-950 Plasmakonzentrationen
erreichte in der Gruppe mit 750 mg alle 8 Stunden den höchsten Stand. Bei
Behandlungsende testeten 4 von 8 Patienten in der Dosierungsgruppe 750 mg
negativ für HCV-RNS mittels dem quantitativen Roche COBAS TaqMan(R)
Prüfsystem (<30 IU/ml) und bei 2 von diesen 4 Patienten konnten keine HCV-RNS
mehr nachgewiesen werden mittels dem qualitativen Roche COBAS TaqMan(R)
Prüfsystem (Erkennungsgrenze bei 10 IU/ml).




Am Versuchsende testeten 5 Patienten aus allen Dosierungsgruppen der
Phase Ib-Studie negativ für HCV-RNS mittels dem quantitativen Roche COBAS
TaqMan(R) Prüfsystem (<30 IU/ml). Dieser Wert wurde zwischen dem 11. und 14.
Tag erreicht. Nach Beendigung der 14-tägigen Dosierungsperiode konnte eine
langsame Zunahme beim HCV-RNS-Spiegel festgestellt werden. Dies geschah bei
diesen Patienten während der 28-tägigen Nachuntersuchungsphase. 28 Tage nach
Erhalt der letzten Dosis VX-950 zeigten zwei Patienten Virenanteile von mehr
als 1 log10 unterhalb dem Anteil aus den Untersuchungen vor der Behandlung.




Vorläufige Daten legen nahe, dass in allen drei Dosierungsgruppen VX-950
gut vertragen wurde. Keine ernsthaften Nebenwirkungen oder
Behandlungsabbrüche wurden gemeldet. Ferner wurde von keinen Anstiegen bei
ALT, AST oder anderen Erkenntnissen der klinischen Chemie berichtet.




Näheres zu VX-950




VX-950 ist ein oraler Inhibitor der Hepatitis-C-Virusprotease, einem
Enzym, das für die virale Replikation erforderlich ist. Vertex schloss im
Jahr 2004 eine klinische Phase Ia-Studie mit gesunden Freiwilligen ab. Die
Ergebnisse liessen vermuten, dass VX-950 gut verträglich ist bei zunehmenden
Dosierungen bis zu 1250 mg. Die pharmakokinetischen Resultate aus
nicht-klinischen Studien legten nahe, dass VX-950 in der Lage ist, erheblich
grössere Leberkonzentrationen zu erzielen als IC50 und IC90. Präklinische
Studien, die in den Jahren 2003 und 2004 an verschiedenen medizinischen
Kongressen vorgestellt wurden, zeigten, dass VX-950 den HCV-RNS-Spiegel
signifikant zu senken vermag, sowohl mittels einem In-vitro-Replikonsystem,
als auch mittels einem Prüfsystem für infektiöse Viren. Die Forscher bei der
Vertex waren die ersten, die die dreidimensionale Kristallstruktur der
HCV-Protease entschlüsselten. Sie benutzten diese Erkenntnisse über die
Struktur zur Entwicklung von kleinmolekularen HCV-Protease-Hemmern,
einschliesslich VX-950.




Die nächsten Schritte




Das Unternehmen plant aktiv zusätzliche weiterführende Studien zur
Untersuchung von VX-950 als Monotherapie und in Kombination mit anderen
HCV-Behandlungsmethoden. Vertex beabsichtigt, sich von der FDA und
europäischen Zulassungsbehörden bezüglich ihrer Entwicklungspläne beraten zu
lassen und erwartet die Einreichung eines INDs (Antrag für experimentelle
neue Arzneimittel) in der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2005 zur Unterstützung der
klinischen Phase II-Entwicklung von VX-950 in den USA. In Zusammenarbeit mit
Vertex wird VX-950 von Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation in Japan und bestimmten
Ländern im Fernen Osten entwickelt.




Internet-Telefonkonferenz am 17. Mai




Vertex Pharmaceuticals wird am 17. Mai 2005 um 16:00 Uhr (amerikanische
Ostküstenzeit) eine Telefonkonferenz abhalten zur Besprechung der Ergebnisse
aus den klinischen Phase Ib-Versuchen mit VX-950. Die Konferenz wird via
Internet unter www.vrtx.com im "Investor Center" übertragen und bis am 31.
Mai 2005 abrufbar sein. Sie können auch via Telefon der Konferenz beiwohnen
unter den Rufnummern [phone] (USA und Kanada) oder [phone]
(international).




Die gespeicherte Telefonkonferenz wird via Telefon vom 17. Mai 2005 um
20:00 Uhr (amerikanische Ostküstenzeit) bis 24. Mai 2005 um 17:00 Uhr
(amerikanische Ostküstenzeit) abrufbar sein. Die Rufnummer für diese
Wiederholungssendung lautet in den USA und Kanada [phone] und für
internationale Anrufe [phone]. Der Erkennungscode für beide
Rufnummern ist 6231209.




Hintergründe




Phase Ib-Studiendesign: gesunde Freiwillige




Der klinische Phase Ib-Versuch involvierte die Verabreichung von VX-950
an gesunde Freiwillige sowie an Patienten mit chronischer
Genotyp-1-HCV-Infektion. Zu Beginn wurden 24 gesunde Freiwillige randomisiert
zwecks Verabreichung einer von drei VX-950-Dosierungen - 450 mg alle 8
Stunden, 750 mg alle 8 Stunden oder 1250 mg alle 8 Stunden - oder Placebo für
fünf Tage. Das Ziel der Verabreichung an gesunde Freiwillige war die
Untersuchung der Verträglichkeit und der pharmakokinetischen Auswirkungen von
mehreren Dosierungen mit VX-950 bevor der Anwendung in Patienten.




Ergebnisse aus den Versuchen mit gesunden Freiwilligen




Die vollständige Analyse der Daten aus den Versuchen mit den gesunden
Freiwilligen wurde abgeschlossen. Es wurden keine ernsthaften Nebenwirkungen
oder Behandlungsabbrüche gemeldet. Die häufigsten Nebenwirkungen, die
möglicherweise mit der Studie zusammenhängen, waren: Kopfschmerzen (5 von 24
Probanden), Diarrhö (3 Probanden), Brechreiz (2 Probanden), häufiges
Wasserlassen (2 Probanden) sowie Schläfrigkeit/Benommenheit (2 Probanden);
alles mittelschwere Fälle. Während den körperlichen und (digitalen)
EKG-Untersuchungen konnten keine Veränderungen bei den Lebenszeichen
beobachtet werden.




Phase Ib-Studiendesign: HCV-Patienten




Diese doppelblinde, randomisierte, placebokontrollierte Phase Ib-Studie
mit VX-950 wurde mit HCV-Patienten durchgeführt zur Untersuchung der
Verträglichkeit, pharmakokinetischen Auswirkungen und Einflüssen auf die
virale Kinetik von drei Dosierungen mit VX-950 - 450 mg alle 8 Stunden, 1250
mg alle 12 Stunden oder 750 mg alle 8 Stunden. Jede Dosierung wurde über
einen Zeitraum von 14 Tagen verabreicht mit zusätzlichen Nachbehandlungen.
Ein wichtiges Ziel dieses Teils der Studie war es, die möglichen
Dosierungsmengen und Anwendungshäufigkeiten von VX-950 festzustellen, um
dadurch die Dosierungen für künftige Monotherapie- und
Kombinationstherapiestudien bestimmen zu können. 34 Patienten mit chronischer
Genotyp-1-Hepatitis-C-Virusinfektion wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Sechs
Patienten erhielten Placebos und 28 Patienten wurde VX-950 verabreicht. Die
Studie wurde in drei Zentren in Europa durchgeführt. 25 Patienten hatten auf
vorgängige Interferonbehandlungen nicht angesprochen und 9 Patienten waren
behandlungsnaiv. Die Patientendemografien waren in allen drei Gruppen
vergleichbar. Die mittlere Virenanzahl im Serum zu Beginn der Studie lag
zwischen 6,13 log10 und 6,48 log10 HCV-RNS (rund 1,5 bis 3 Millionen IU/ml).




Vertex wird die Auswertung der Daten der Phase Ib-Studie weiter
fortsetzen. Die vollständige Analyse der Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit von
VX-950 sowie pharmakokinetische und virale Sequenzanalysen von allen
Patienten sind beinahe abgeschlossen.




Näheres zu Vertex




Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ist ein globales biotechnologisches
Unternehmen, das sich der Entdeckung und Entwicklung von bahnbrechenden
kleinmolekularen Arzneimitteln zur Behandlung von schweren Krankheiten
verschrieben hat. Die Strategie des Unternehmens besteht aus der
Kommerzialisierung seiner Produkte sowohl unabhängig, als auch in
Zusammenarbeit mit grossen Pharmakonzernen. Der Schwerpunkt des
Produktangebots der Vertex liegt auf Behandlungsmethoden von Virusinfektionen
, Entzündungen, Autoimmunkrankheiten und Krebs. Vertex vermarktet den
HIV-Proteasehemmer Lexiva(R) zusammen mit GlaxoSmithKline.




Lexiva(R) ist ein eingetragenes Warenzeichen der GlaxoSmithKline
Unternehmensgruppe.




Die Pressemitteilungen der Vertex sind unter http://www.vrtx.com
einsehbar.




Näheres zur "Digestive Disease Week"




Digestive Disease Week (DDW) ist die grösste Zusammenkunft von Ärzten,
Wissenschaftlern und akademischen Hochschulangehörigen auf den Gebieten der
Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Endoskopie und gastrointestinalen Chirurgie.
Gemeinsam gesponsort durch die American Association for the Study of Liver
Diseases (AASLD), der American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), der
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) und der Society for
Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), findet die DDW vom 14. bis 19. Mai
2005 in Chicago statt. An der Veranstaltung werden ungefähr 5.000 Abstracts
vorgestellt und Hunderte von Vorträgen über die jüngsten Fortschritte auf dem
Gebiet der GI-Forschung, -Medizin und -Technologie gehalten.




Safe Harbor Statement




Diese Pressemitteilung kann vorausschauende Aussagen enthalten,
einschliesslich Aussagen, dass (i) der HCV-Proteaseinhibitor VX-950 von
Vertex gut vertragen wird und als Einzelwirkstoff eine schnelle und
wirkungsvolle Reduktion der HCV-RNS erzielt; (ii) dass Vertex erwartet, die
Entwicklung von VX-950 als Monotherapie und als Bestandteil einer
Kombinationstherapie weiter zu verfolgen; (iii) dass die Behandlungsmethode
mit proteasehemmenden Therapien das Potenzial hat, eine wirkungsvolle
künftige HCV-Thearpie zu werden; (iv) dass Vertex plant, in der zweiten
Jahreshälfte 2005 einen IND-Antrag einzureichen, um die klinische Entwicklung
von VX-950 in den USA zu unterstützen. Obschon das Management alles
unternimmt, die vorausschauenden Aussagen sorgfältig zu verfassen,
unterliegen diese Aussagen Risiken und Ungewissheiten, die dazu führen
können, dass die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse materiell abweichen. Diese Risiken
und Unsicherheiten bestehen u. a. aus: (i) Keine Bestätigung der
Zwischenresultate durch vollständige Analysen oder weitere Versuche bzw. die
Folgerungen in dieser Pressemitteilung werden nicht weiter untermauert; (ii)
die klinischen Versuche mit VX-950 können nicht wie geplant fortgesetzt
werden aufgrund von technischen oder wissenschaftlichen Problemen oder
Schwierigkeiten bei der Patientenaufnahme sowie klinische Versuchsresultate,
die nicht wie erwartet verfügbar sind oder regulatorische
Antragseinreichungen erfolgen verspätet oder überhaupt nicht aufgrund von
ungünstigen klinischen oder nicht-klinischen Versuchsprozessen; (iii) weitere
klinische Versuche bestätigen das Potenzial von VX-950 zur Behandlung von
HCV-Infektionen nicht und andere Risiken, die unter der Überschrift "Risk
Factors" auf dem Formular 10-K erwähnt sind, das von Vertex bei der
Securities and Exchange Commission am 16. März 2005 eingereicht wurde.





Vertex Kontaktadressen:

Chicago:
Lynne Brum, VP, Corporate Communications und Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone].

Cambridge:
Katie Burns, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]




Website: http://www.vrtx.com



Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated



Autor: © PR Newswire (© PR Newswire),17:13 18.05.2005

[blb]

Dazu brauchen sie aber wohl den Fast-Track-Status...

Vertex Pharma vor Turnaround?

Morgan Stanley haben heute die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals von "underweight" auf "equal-weight" aufgestuft. Das Kursziel sieht man bei 17 Dollar. Die Verlustprognose für 2005 wurde allerdings von 1,55 auf 1,58 Dollar ausgeweitet.

Wie der zuständige Analyst ausführte, habe sich die Vertex-Aktie lange Zeit unterdurchschnittlich entwickelt. Inzwischen sollte sie aber zumindest nicht mehr schlechter als der Biotech-Gesamtmarkt abschneiden. Es gebe eine hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass der Hepatitis-C-Wirkstoff "VX-950" in den nächsten 3 Jahren erfolgreich an den Markt kommen werde. Dies könne den Turnaround des Unternehmens herbeiführen. Sollte "VX-950" Mitte 2008 zugelassen werden, sehe man für 2010 ein weltweites Umsatzvolumen von über 1 Milliarde Dollar. Es sei aber nie wirklich auszuschließen, ob es bis dahin nicht schon adäquate Konkurrenz-Präparate gebe.

An der Nasdaq legen Vertex aktuell 3,57 Prozent auf 14,50 Dollar zu.

Quelle: © BörseGo - 20.05.2005

[betterthantherest]

Für besonders wirksame Mittel, soll die Zulassungszeit auch schon mal reduziert worden sein. Wer weiß...

[blb]

Kapitalerhöhung! War zu erwarten...

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2005 4:01 PM
- PR Newswire


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 31, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced plans to offer 9,500,000 shares of its newly issued common stock in an underwritten public offering. The offering will be made pursuant to the Company`s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2005. Vertex also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1,425,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is acting as the sole book-running manager in this offering. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as co-managers.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. A shelf registration statement relating to the shares of common stock that the Company intends to sell has previously been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any offer of shares of common stock will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the prospectus can be obtained from Merrill Lynch`s prospectus department, at 4 World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, 212-449-1000.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora Pike
Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], all of Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Incorporated


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

[betterthantherest]

[posting]16.761.389 von blb am 31.05.05 22:18:40[/posting]Man nutzt die Gunst der Stunde.

Ich bin ja gespannt, wann hier das erste Mal richtig Geld verdient wird.

[blb]

Hält sich gut heute! Dass sie Geld brauchen war klar...

Mit Gewinnen müssen wir noch ein paar Jährchen warten, betterthantherest!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Pricing of Common Stock Offering
TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2005 7:03 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 7, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced the pricing of its public offering of 11,750,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $13.00 per share. The gross proceeds, before commissions and expenses, of the public offering will be approximately $152.8 million. All of the shares are being offered by Vertex. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,762,500 shares to cover over-allotments.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acted as the sole book- running manager in this offering. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC acted as co-managers.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. A shelf registration statement relating to the shares of common stock that the Company intends to sell has previously been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any offer of shares of common stock will be made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the final prospectus can be obtained from Merrill Lynch`s prospectus department, at 4 World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, 212-449-1000.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], all of Vertex Pharmaceuticals


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

So nun ist die Kapitalerhöhung abgeschlossen. Jetzt können die sich voll aufs forschen konzentrieren. Wird zeit, dass ein Knaller auf den Markt kommt. Die Pipeline sieht ja ganz gut aus.

[betterthantherest]

Das kann aber alles noch sehr, sehr lange dauern.

[blb]

Vertex ist dieses Jahr schon mit über 50% im Plus! Einer der Topperformer bei den Bios!

[Presler]

[posting]16.921.664 von blb am 18.06.05 10:42:24[/posting]ich hoffe es kommt keine böse Meldung dann sind die 50% ganz schnell futsch. Hat jemand neue Infos in Bezug auf neu Präparate oder Test`s von Vertex?

[ulife]

Hab die aktie schon seit jahren, glücklicherweise bei
8 euro nachgekauft und lass die gewinne jetzt laufen,
die haben jetzt eh genug geld um einen blockbuster auf den markt zu bringen,
bin optimist

[blb]

Bin auch schon lange drin. Jetzt schauts aber endlich wieder gut aus!
Nachkauf hab ich verpasst, ist aber mittlerweile nicht mehr nötig. Vertex ist weiterhin ein sehr heißes Eisen, ich würde vor Neueinstieg zumindest die Phase II Daten abwarten.

Grüße
blb

[amorphis]

vrtx sehen an sich nicht schlecht aus...allerdings gefallen mir vphm deutlich besser!vergleicht mal...

[blb]

Jo, amorphis. Hab die Story da leider verpasst. Der Zug dürfte abgefahren sein, leider...

[amorphis]

blb...würde ich nicht sagen...am 1. august giebt es zahlen...vphm hat erst kürzlich die preise für ihr vancocin angehoben...es verkauft sich anscheinend viel, viel besser als alle gedacht haben...dazu der rasante schuldenabbau...dieses geld muss ja auch irgendwoher kommen...es wird also kräftig verdient...dazu die starken insiderkäufe...die sehr gute, aussichtsreiche pipeline...

mitlerweile dürften earnings von zumindest 1$ je aktie drin erreichbar sein...aber ich denke es werden eher mehr!rechne dir mal das kgv aus...denke der zug ist nicht abgefahren...schon unterwegs...aber noch in bahnhofsnähe... sehe das potential zwischen 20-30$ in den nächsten 6-9 monaten...hinzu kommt die fantasie seitens der big pharma...pfizer scheint auf der suche zu sein...profitable kleine biotechs...die zudem ne interessante pipe haben...stehen da ganz oben auf der liste...für mich ist vphm zur zeit die heißeste bio story am markt...würde mir ein invest überlegen! trotzdem good luck mit vrtx!

[blb]

FDA Grants Fast Track Status for the Investigational HIV Protease Inhibitor 640385 (VX-385)
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2005 8:30 AM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 19, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced that its collaborator, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has received fast track designation for the HIV protease inhibitor (PI) 640385 (VX-385) from the United States Food and Drug Administration. GSK plans to initiate a Phase IIb study of 640385 in HIV- infected patients in the third quarter of 2005. 640385 is the third, orally active HIV protease inhibitor to be developed as part of the collaboration agreement between Vertex and GSK.

"The Food and Drug Administration`s fast track designation for 640385 highlights the productive collaboration between Vertex and GlaxoSmithKline, which has generated three novel HIV protease inhibitor product candidates over the past 12 years, and has established both companies as leaders in the development of new drugs to treat HIV infection," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex. "This designation recognizes the clinical and nonclinical results for 640385, which support the potential to address the needs of patients with resistant HIV strains."

Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, fast track designation indicates that the FDA will facilitate the development and may expedite the review of a drug if it is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition, and demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need for such a condition. Support of this fast track designation was based on positive Phase IIa data from a clinical study of 640385 in HIV-infected patients, as well as results from in vitro studies indicating 640385`s antiviral activity against HIV-1 strains resistant to a number of currently marketed protease inhibitors. Vertex expects that GSK will present preliminary Phase IIa results at a medical conference in the second half of 2005.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex currently co-promotes the protease inhibitor Lexiva(R).

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) GSK plans to initiate a Phase IIb study of 640385 (VX-385) in HIV-infected patients in the third quarter of 2005; (ii) the Food and Drug Administration`s fast track designation for 640385 recognizes the clinical and nonclinical results for 640385, which support the potential to address the needs of patients with resistant HIV strains; (iii) Vertex expects that GSK will present preliminary Phase IIa results at a medical conference in the second half of 2005. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for 640385 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, supply or patient enrollment issues, that actual clinical studies of 640385 will not reflect the results obtained in earlier clinical and nonclinical testing and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Specialist,
Media Relations, [phone] all of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.

[betterthantherest]

[posting]17.273.943 von blb am 19.07.05 15:57:03[/posting]Das klingt ja schon mal recht erfreulich.

[blb]

Weiterhin extrem hohe Burnrate. Verlustprognose wurde angehoben...

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2005 Financial Results
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2005 4:17 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 27, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today reported consolidated financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2005.

"Vertex`s progress in the second quarter of 2005 was characterized by significant clinical achievements and enhanced financial strength," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "The clinical progress with our hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, VX-950, as well as other compounds across our pipeline, together with the completion of a $175.7 million stock offering, position Vertex to advance its business and further create value."

For the quarter ended June 30, 2005, the Company`s net loss on a GAAP basis was $41.0 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to a net loss of $44.3 million, or $0.56 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

Excluding restructuring credits, the loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was $42.7 million or $0.52 per share, compared to a loss of $42.4 million, or $0.54 per share, excluding restructuring charges, for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. The Company`s 2005 second quarter loss was comparable to the prior year, but was characterized by continued revenue growth, which offset increased development investment as the Company continues to advance its proprietary drug candidates.

Total revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 increased to $32.3 million from $18.5 million for the same period in 2004, primarily due to the contribution of R&D revenue from collaborative agreements signed in 2004 and early 2005, and an increase in HIV product royalties. Research and development expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 were $59.4 million, compared to $47.5 million for the second quarter of 2004.

Sales, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 were $10.8 million, compared to $10.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

Other interest expense, net, for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was $2.4 million, compared to other interest expense, net, of $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2004.

At June 30, 2005, Vertex had approximately $446.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, $82.6 million in principal amount of convertible debt due September 2007 and $232.4 million in principal amount of convertible debt due February 2011. The Company raised $175.7 million in gross proceeds in a common stock offering in the second quarter of 2005.

Second Quarter 2005 Highlights
* Vertex presented preliminary results of a Phase Ib clinical trial with
its oral HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950, at the Digestive Disease Week
conference in Chicago, Illinois. In the study, patients treated with
750 mg of VX-950 every eight hours achieved a median reduction of HCV-
RNA of 4.4 log10, equivalent to a 25,000-fold reduction in viral levels,
at the end of 14 days of treatment. At the end of 14 days of treatment,
4 of 8 patients in the 750 mg dose group tested HCV-RNA negative in the
quantitative Roche COBAS TaqMan(R) assay (<30 IU/mL).
* Vertex completed enrollment in the Phase IIb METRO study of merimepodib
(MMPD) in HCV patients who did not respond to previous combination
therapy.
* Vertex initiated dosing in a 300-patient Phase II clinical study in
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with VX-702, an investigational oral p38 MAP
kinase inhibitor.
* Vertex`s collaborator Merck began a Phase I clinical study with VX-680,
a small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases, in patients with
hematologic cancers. Merck now has three clinical studies in cancer
underway with VX-680.
* In a common stock offering completed in the second quarter, Vertex sold
13,512,500 shares of common stock at the price of $13.00 per share,
resulting in gross proceeds, before commissions and expenses, of $175.7
million.

Outlook


"In the second half of 2005, we anticipate making clinical advances across our pipeline and signing new collaborations to support our R&D investment," stated Dr. Boger. "We are committed to building on our leadership position in the development of novel, oral HCV therapies. With our HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950, we plan to complete all of the preparatory work necessary to support the initiation of Phase II clinical development in the fourth quarter. We also expect to meet with regulatory authorities to define the path forward for MMPD by the end of the year."

Dr. Boger continued, "We are also now conducting clinical studies that we believe will further establish the clinical and commercial potential for VX- 702, our p38 MAP kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and VX-765, our ICE inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis. These drug candidates demonstrate Vertex`s leadership in the development of novel oral anti-cytokine therapies and represent exciting new potential treatment options."

"We also are looking forward to continued progress with our product candidates directed at HIV infection and cancer," stated Dr. Boger. "We announced last week that the investigational HIV protease inhibitor, VX-385, being developed with GlaxoSmithKline, has been designated as a fast-track compound by the U.S. FDA. Additionally, Merck is conducting a broad Phase I development program for our Aurora kinase inhibitor, VX-680, with three clinical trials in cancer patients now underway."

Dr. Boger continued, "Furthermore, we expect our ongoing drug discovery and new small molecule drug candidates to provide additional business and financial strength in the second half of 2005."

2005 Product Candidate Objectives

Vertex`s objectives for its current product candidates for the remainder of 2005 are:

HCV
* Initiate a Phase Ib combination study with VX-950 and pegylated
interferon
* Initiate dialogue with the FDA on the Phase II clinical program for VX-
950 and file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to support
Phase II development in the U.S.
* Complete a 28-day clinical virology study of oral compounds MMPD and
ribavirin in HCV patients
* Determine the registration path for MMPD
Inflammation
* Complete enrollment in a three-month, 300 patient Phase II study of VX-
702 in rheumatoid arthritis
* Complete a four-week, Phase IIa safety and pharmacokinetic study of VX-
765 in psoriasis
Cancer
* Support broad Phase I clinical development program in cancer with VX-
680, being conducted by Merck
* Support preclinical program for the novel Flt-3/c-kit inhibitor VX-322,
being conducted by Novartis
HIV
* Present Phase IIa antiviral data for VX-385 at a medical conference
* Support Phase IIb clinical trial for VX-385, to be conducted by
GlaxoSmithKline
Drug Discovery
* Advance two or more new drug candidates from drug discovery into
preclinical development
Corporate
* Establish a new collaboration or collaborations that would support
Vertex`s discovery organization and help to advance development and
commercialization of proprietary compounds

Full Year 2005 Financial Guidance


This section contains forward-looking guidance about the financial outlook for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

"Following the positive results from the Phase Ib clinical study of VX-950 in May 2005, we have accelerated our investment in manufacturing and formulation development and expanded our clinical development program for this compound. This resulted in a revision of our R&D expense and loss estimates for the year," said Ian Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vertex. "We believe this increased investment in 2005 will reduce operational risk in later stages of development and commercialization of VX- 950."

Vertex today updated certain aspects of its 2005 financial guidance, which was previously provided in its February 9, 2005 press release and in its Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 9, 2005. As a result of accelerated investment in the development of Vertex`s oral HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950, the Company now expects that its R&D expense for full year 2005 will increase from $225-$240 million to $235-$245 million. With this increased investment, Vertex now anticipates that its 2005 loss, before charges and gains, will increase from $125-$135 million to $140-$150 million. Based on royalty growth for the Company`s HIV products, achievement of milestones in existing collaborative research and development programs, and the potential to sign new collaborations, the Company continues to anticipate that full year 2005 revenues will be in the range of $150-$160 million. The Company continues to expect that SG&A expense will be in the range of $42-$46 million. Vertex anticipates having more than $380 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at year-end. Vertex anticipates a loss, before charges and gains, for the third quarter of 2005 in the range of $45 million to $48 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, Vertex`s financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Vertex provides its second quarter 2005 net loss, and guidance for a third quarter and full year 2005 net loss, excluding charges and gains, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company`s business, and uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company`s business and to evaluate its performance.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex expects (i) that clinical development progress with VX- 950 and completion of a common stock offering have positioned Vertex to advance its business and create value; (ii) to make significant clinical advances across its pipeline in the second half of 2005; (iii) to complete in the second half of the year the preparatory work necessary to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950 and to sign new collaborations to support its research and development investment; (iv) to meet with regulatory authorities in the coming months to help Vertex to define the path forward for merimepodib; (v) that clinical studies now underway will further establish the clinical and commercial potential for VX-702 and VX-765; (vi) to see continued progress with products directed at HIV and cancer; (vii) that the Company`s objectives, stated above, for its current product candidates will be achieved during the second half of 2005; and (viii) that the Company`s projected third quarter loss and 2005 annual loss, revenue, R&D expense, SG&A expense and cash position will be within the ranges set forth above. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that any one or more of Vertex`s internal and external drug development programs will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons or due to patient enrollment issues or based on new information from nonclinical or clinical studies or from other sources, that Vertex will be unable to realize one or more of its financial objectives for 2005 as set forth above, due to any number of financial, technical or collaboration considerations, that unexpected costs associated with one of the Company`s programs will necessitate a reduction in its investment in other programs or a change in the Company`s financial projections, that future competitive or other market factors may adversely impact the commercial potential for the Company`s product candidates in HCV and inflammation, that the Company`s drug discovery efforts will not ultimately result in commercial products due to scientific, medical or technical developments, that Vertex will be unable to enter into new collaborative relationships to support its research and development programs on acceptable terms, or at all, that the key estimates and assumptions underlying the Company`s forward-looking statements will turn out to be incorrect or not reflective of changing scientific knowledge or business conditions in the future, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
2005 Second Quarter and Six Month Results
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004

Revenues:
Royalties $7,467 $4,011 $13,620 $6,593
Collaborative and
other R&D revenues 24,854 14,530 47,307 29,461

Total revenues $32,321 $18,541 $60,927 $36,054

Costs and expenses:
Royalty payments 2,489 1,328 4,519 2,174
Research and development 59,357 47,450 116,792 89,125
Sales, general &
administrative 10,814 10,160 20,441 19,882

Total costs and expenses 72,660 58,938 141,752 111,181

Other interest expense,
net 2,392 2,035 4,712 3,472
Loss excluding charge
for retirement of 2007
convertible notes and
restructuring $(42,731) $(42,432) $(85,537) $(78,599)


Basic and diluted
loss per common share
excluding charge for
retirement of 2007
convertible notes
and restructuring $(0.52) $(0.54) $(1.06) $(1.00)

Charge for retirement
of 2007 convertible
notes (Note 1) - - - (2,453)
Restructuring (expense)
/credit (Note 2) 1,743 (1,837) (171) (3,655)
Net loss $(40,988) $(44,269) $(85,708) $(84,707)

Basic and diluted net
loss per share $(0.50) $(0.56) $(1.06) $(1.08)

Basic weighted average
number of common
shares outstanding 82,274 78,807 80,859 78,356


Note 1: In February 2004, the Company exchanged approximately $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 for approximately $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of newly issued 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. This transaction resulted in a charge of approximately $2.5 million relating to the write-off of the remaining unamortized issuance charges for the $153.1 million of 2007 5% convertible notes, which were retired.

Note 2: For the three months ended June 30, 2005, the Company incurred a credit to restructuring expense of $1.7 million. Based on recent developments in our clinical pipeline, the Company has updated an assessment of its real estate requirements and related plans, resulting in an expectation that the Company will occupy a portion of the Kendall Square facility. The Company has commitments, subject to final approvals, to enter into sublease arrangements for a significant portion of the remainder of the building.

The $1.7 million net credit is a result of reversing a portion of the restructuring accrual related to the space that Vertex expects to occupy in the future, offset by estimated incremental net ongoing lease obligations for the remainder of the space and imputed interest costs on the restructuring accrual.

The restructuring expense incurred in the periods prior to the three-month period ended June 30, 2005 relates to the estimated incremental net ongoing lease obligations associated with the Kendall Square facility as well as the imputed interest costs relating to the restructuring accrual.

The expense associated with the portion of the building that the Company still does not intend to occupy will continue to be estimated in accordance with FASB 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
2005 Second Quarter Results
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


June 30, December 31,
2005 2004

Assets

Cash, cash equivalents
and available for
sale securities $446,606 $392,320
Other current assets 18,704 14,392
Property, plant and equipment, net 58,496 64,225
Restricted cash 49,007 49,847
Other noncurrent assets 24,090 24,669
Total assets $596,903 $545,453


Liabilities and Equity
Other current liabilities $49,690 $50,161
Accrued restructuring expense 43,813 55,843
Deferred revenue 45,445 66,086
Collaborator development loan (due 2008) 19,997 19,997
Other long term obligations ------- 2,925
Convertible notes (due 2007) 82,552 82,552
Convertible notes (due 2011) 232,448 232,448
Other Stockholders` Equity 994,833 821,608
Accumulated Deficit (871,875) (786,167)
Total liabilities and equity $596,903 $545,453


Conference Call and Webcast: Second Quarter 2005 Financial Results:


Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call today, July 27, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review financial results and recent developments. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International).

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing July 27, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. EDT running through 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 3, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 7845101. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex`s website until 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 10, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:

Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone]

Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]

Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone], or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,
[phone], or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], all of
Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Saturday, 07-23-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

Vertex schmiert ab. Scheinbar machen doch einige, nach dem rasanten Kursanstieg in diesem Jahr, Kasse.

[blb]

Vertex Pharma upped at J.P. Morgan; hepatitis C drug cited (VRTX) By Aude Lagorce

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- J.P. Morgan upgraded Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VRTX) to overweight from neutral, citing its growing conviction around the future success of hepatitis C drug VX-950 and an anticipated strong second half. The broker told clients that the hepatitis C market is heating up and anticipated to reach $8 billion by 2010

[MrRipley]

Ich liebe Unternehmen, die ihr Geld mit überflüssigen Kröpfen verdienen...
Um so mehr dann, wenn die behandelte "Krankheit" sich als etwas ganz anderes herausstellen "könnte"
als das ursprünglich "geplante"...

Meine Meinung!

Später vielleicht mehr.

[blb]

Und ich liebe grundsätzlich keine Unternehmen...
Aber der Kursanstieg zum Wochenende ist nicht ohne!

Schönen Abend!
blb

[blb]

Vertex: Blockbuster-Potential?

J.P. Morgan haben die Titel von Vertex Pharmaceuticals von „neutral“ auf „overweight“ aufgestuft.

Wie der für das Unternehmen zuständige Analyst erklärte, sei er für den Wirkstoffkandidaten VX-950 zur Behandlung von Hepatitis C zunehmend optimistischer. Die bisherigen klinischen Erfolge sollten sich in der laufenden Phase-II-Studie zumindest wiederholen lassen. Im Erfolgsfall weise VX-950 ein echtes Blockbuster-Potential auf.

Daneben gebe es bei Vertex nach einige andere aussichtsreiche Produkt-Kandidaten. Die Wirkstoff-Pipeline sollte die Titel auch in den nächsten Monaten weiter nach oben bringen. In einigen Monaten könnten dann auch die Erfolgsaussichten besser bestimmt werden. Bis dahin halte man die Aktie für unterbewertet. Das Chance-Risiko-Profil sei recht vorteilhaft.

An der Nasdaq springen Vertex Pharmaceutical im Anschluss an diese Empfehlung aktuell um 16,68 Prozent nach oben auf 19,10 Dollar.

[ABV2003]

Sauber, da kommen 2 Analysten daher und sagen uns, was wir schon lange wissen und der Kurs zieht um über 15% an. Wow! Bin jetzt mit Vertex in diesem Jahr mit über 95% im plus. Das ist 2005 der beste Wert in meinem Depot. Ich hoffe, der Anstieg geht weiter

[MrRipley]

#98

Die HIV-Lüge

1984 verkündete der US-amerikanische Virologe Robert Gallo der Weltöffentlichkeit, "wir haben die Ursache für AIDS gefunden." Seitdem gilt in der öffentlichen Diskussion AIDS als eine durch das (Retro-)Virus HIV ausgelöste, unheilbar tödlich verlaufende Krankheit.
Richard FUCHS bezeichnet das als Wissenschaftsbetrug, weil die Frage, ob das HI-Virus (allein) etwa 30 verschiedene Krankheiten auslösen kann, trotz milliardenschwerer Forschung bis heute unbeantwortet blieb. Erwiesen ist allerdings, daß die Anti-HIV-Droge AZT (Azidothymidin) verantwortlich ist für Immundefekt, Muskelschwund und Schwachsinn. Ein Drogen-Cocktail aus "harten Drogen" und AZT kann sogar tödlich sein ...


HIV-Virus unter dem Mikroskop.


Obwohl diese Hypothese unbestätigt ist, gilt AIDS (engl. = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome = ausgeprägte zelluläre Immunschwäche) seit den Tagen der „HIV-Entdecker“ bis heute in der öffentlichen Diskussion als eine durch das (Retro-)Virus HIV ausgelöste, unheilbar tödlich verlaufende Krankheit.

In Wirklichkeit, so die Kritiker dieser Hypothese, ist das sogenannte „Humane Immundefizienz Virus“ genetisch unvollkommen und biologisch inaktiv, also nicht in der Lage, irgendeine der ihm zugeordneten Krankheiten auszulösen.

Besonders schwer wiegt dabei die Tatsache, daß die klassische HIV-AIDS-Hypothese, die von Anfang an auf tönernen Füßen stand, bis heute zu keiner individuell und gesellschaftlich tragbaren Heilungs-Konzeption der Erkrankung geführt hat. Vielmehr kann die demoralisierende Unheilbarkeits-Hypothese in Verbindung mit den toxischen Nebenwirkungen der angebotenen Arzneimittel (zum Beispiel durch die Anti- HIV-Droge AZT) tatsächlich zum Tode führen.


Die Geburtsstunde der AIDS- HIV-Hypothese

Der Virologe Robert Gallo vom amerikanischen „Nationalen Krebsinstitut“, selbsternannter Entdecker des HIV, schreibt 1991 im Vorwort seines Buches „Die Jagd nach dem Virus“: „Die Jagd nach dem Virus ist die Geschichte dieser Arbeit, die zunächst zur Entdeckung des ersten krebserzeugenden menschlichen Retrovirus (bis 1980) und kurz darauf (bis 1982) zur Entdeckung eines zweiten führte; später (Ende 1983 bis Anfang 1984) mündete sie in den überraschenden Befund, daß auch der Erreger der erschreckendsten epidemischen Krankheit des 20. Jahrhunderts – jenes Leidens, das wir heute AIDS nennen – ein Retrovirus ist, das aber zu einer neuen Gattung gehört.“

Schon bald kamen Zweifel an dieser HIV-AIDS-Hypothese auf. 1992 mußte Robert Gallo sich dem Untersuchungsausschuß des Amtes für Wissenschaftliche Integrität im Nationalen Institut für Gesundheit (NIH) stellen – wegen des Verdachtes auf Patentbetrug und falsche eidliche Aussage (Science, 24. 1. 1992/ New York Times Service, 3. 3. 1992).

Wenn auch Gallo im letzten Entwurf des Untersuchungsberichtes nicht des Betrugs bezichtigt wurde, so war das, was hier über ihn gesagt wurde, doch nicht gerade schmeichelhaft: Es seien zahlreiche Abweichungen zwischen den Arbeiten des Gallo-Teams im Labor und den Ergebnissen gefunden worden, die Gallo über die Entdeckung des AIDS-Erregers 1984 veröffentlichte. Eine sich anschließende zweijährige Untersuchung der US-Behörde „Health and Human Services“ machte dies noch deutlicher: Es gab keinen Beweis für die Behauptung des AIDS-Forschers Gallo, er habe den HIV-Virus entdeckt (Chicago Tribune, 19. 6. 1994).

Dennoch bekommt Gallo jährlich 100 000 Dollar aus den AIDS-Patentrechten. Die Einnahmen aus dem patentierten AIDS-Test summierten sich damals schon auf rund 75 Millionen Mark. Inzwischen läßt sich die US-amerikanische Bevölkerung jährlich 20 Millionen mal à 50 Dollar testen. Das bringt eine Milliarde Dollar in die Kassen der Ärzte und Labors. (Duesberg, Peter H.: „Zur Entdeckung des HIV/AIDS-Dogmas“, Symposium, „AIDS-Forschung in der Sackgasse“, 16. 10. 1999, Bonn). Wenn ein Testergebnis positiv ist, entstehen für die Behandlung vielfältige neue Inkassostationen.


Streit um die Urheberrechte

Die AIDS-Forschung war auch von einem Streit um die Urheberrechte begleitet. Denn die Entdeckung der „Ursache“ versprach die Akquisition von Forschungsgeldern, und die Tests zum Nachweis der Antikörper brachten große Gewinne. Darum wurden Fragen laut: War Gallo wirklich der Entdecker des HIV? Hat er das Retrovirus nachgewiesen? Wurde überhaupt ein Virus nachgewiesen, das die Immunschwäche AIDS auslöst?
Gebührt nicht in Wirklichkeit dem Direktor des Pasteur-Instituts, Luc Montagnier, und seinem Team die Entdecker-Ehre?

Denn Montagnier hatte Gallo einen Typ von Virus zur Verfügung gestellt, den er aus einem Lymphknoten eines unter Immunschwäche leidenden homosexuellen Dekorateurs aus Paris entnommen hatte, und auf dieser Grundlage meldete Gallo dann sein Patent an.


»Ehrenhafter Kompromiss«

Obwohl Montagnier für sich reklamierte, als erster das Virus entdeckt zu haben, stritten Gallo und das französische Pasteur-Institut annähernd ein Jahrzehnt um das Urheberrecht, bis der Streit um die Einnahmen aus dem AIDS-Patent zwischen Frankreich und den Vereinigten Staaten 1994 beigelegt wurde.

Ein Abkommen sah vor, daß das Pasteur-Institut an den Einkünften des HIV-Tests fortan mit 50 % beteiligt würde, die amerikanischen Gesundheitsbehörden erhalten 25 Prozent. Das restliche Viertel geht an nationale und internationale Stiftungen, die sich mit der Bekämpfung von AIDS befassen.
In Frankreich wurde das neue Abkommen als „Friedensvertrag“ betrachtet, der den Sieg Luc Montagniers endgültig besiegelt. Gallo sprach von einem „ehrenhaften Kompromiß“. (FAZ, 20. 7. 1994)


Keine Beweise für die HIV-AIDS-Hypothese!

Der US-amerikanische Nobelpreisträger für Chemie, Kary Mullis, stellte dann in seinem Buch „Dancing naked in the mind field“, S. 173, überraschend fest, daß es keinerlei seriöse wissenschaftliche Veröffentlichung für den Beweis der HIV-AIDS-Hypothese gibt: „Weder Montagnier, Gallo, noch irgendwer sonst hat Papiere veröffentlicht, die Experimente für den Nachweis beschreiben, daß HIV wahrscheinlich AIDS verursacht.“

Man fand lediglich die Antikörper eines Virus. Sie sind ein Zeichen für eine zurückliegende Krankheit und lassen üblicherweise den Schluß zu, daß ein Virus bereits besiegt wurde. Es gab in den Veröffentlichungen auch keinen Hinweis darauf, daß das Virus die Ursache für eine Krankheit ist. Es konnte also nie bewiesen werden, daß jeder, der HIV-Antikörper hat, auch krank ist. Faktisch fand man einige gesunde Menschen, die ebenfalls Antikörper aufwiesen.
(Praktisch:
Wenn ich mich bspw. mit einer Muskelübersäuerung bzw. einem Muskelkater einer Blutuntersuchung bzw. einem Aisdtest unterziehe, bin ich HIV-positiv)

Doch seit Robert Gallo 1984 der Weltöffentlichkeit verkündete: „Meine Herren, wir haben die Ursache für AIDS gefunden“, hält sich die HIV-AIDS-Hypothese hartnäckig. Denn das Milliardengeschäft mit der Angst macht spendabel, schafft neue Arbeitsplätze und Inkassostellen, ist ein Dauerbrenner für die Medien, steigert Auflagen und ist geeignet, ganze Gesellschaftsschichten auszugrenzen. Bewundert die wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft unisono des „Kaisers neue Kleider“?


Der »Kaiser« ist nackt!

Daß der „Kaiser“ tatsächlich nackt ist, sagt einer, der es genau wissen muß: Prof Dr. Peter H. Duesberg von der University of Berkeley, USA. Einst befreundet und Kollege von Gallo, zählt Duesberg heute zu den prominentesten und zugleich kundigsten Kritikern.
Laut einer Analyse von Duesberg korrelieren alle amerikanischen und europäischen als AIDS definierten Krankheitsbilder, welche über ihren lang etablierten nationalen Hintergrund hinausgehen, mit einem Langzeitkonsum von Aufputschdrogen oder mit Anti-HIV-Drogen oder beidem. Trotz der überwältigenden Flut von AIDS-Literatur gibt es keine epidemologische Studie, in der eine statistisch relevante Gruppe von vorher gesunden Personen präsentiert wird, die das Krankheitsbild von AIDS entwickelten, ohne irgendwelche Drogen konsumiert zu haben.

Ein Zusammenhang zwischen Drogenkonsum als Ursache für Immunschwäche und AIDS kann nicht mehr bestritten werden. Werden zur Bekämpfung der Immunschwäche zusätzliche Anti-HIV-Drogen konsumiert, steigert sich der tödlich verlaufende Synergie-Effekt oft bis hin zum bitteren Ende. Auch konnte beobachtet werden, daß sich Patienten wieder erholten, nachdem sie jeglichen Drogenkonsum eingestellt hatten. Und obwohl die Nebenwirkungen von AZT (Azidothymidin) – Immundefekt, Muskelschwund, Schwachsinn – offensichtlich sind und immer mehr AIDS-Patienten die Einnahme verweigern, wird AZT jetzt auch schwangeren AIDS- Kranken verabreicht…

http://www.gral.de/index.php?mm=390

[betterthantherest]

[posting]17.777.513 von MrRipley am 03.09.05 13:17:29[/posting]Von wann stammt denn das alles?

Unbedingt glaubwürdig klingt die Geschichte mit den Drogen ja nun gerade nicht.

[MrRipley]

Ich glaube das was ich erfahre und nicht was ich lese.
Wenn nun etwas unglaubwürdig klingt deutet dies nicht unbedingt auf die Unwahrheit hin.

Ich versuche, beiden Seiten der Münze gleiche Aufmerksamkeit zukommen zulassen.
Was alle glauben zu wissen betrachte ich doch mit erheblicher Skepsis.

[betterthantherest]

[posting]17.777.777 von MrRipley am 03.09.05 14:13:41[/posting]Und ich nutze liebend gerne die Erfahrungen anderer, sofern sie mir glaubhaft erscheinen.

Nicht jeder Fehler muss zweimal gemacht und das „Rad“ muss auch nicht immer wieder neu erfunden werden.

Natürlich muss darauf geachtet werden, welchen Nutzen ein Informationsgeber aus der Weitergabe seiner Informationen zieht.

Geht es um einen finanziellen Vorteil, so ist eine gewisse Skepsis durchaus angebracht.




Du hast eine schöne Beitrags Nr. erwischt. 17.777.777

[MrRipley]

Hi better, danke für den 17.777.777 Hinweis, habe ich gar nicht beachtet

...das soll nicht heissen, das ich das selbst erfahren habe.
Aber ich sehe nur indirekte finanzielle Vorteile für den Schreiber dieser Texte.

Den finanziellen Vorteil sehe ich hauptsächlich bei der Pharmalobby,
was aber nicht heissen soll, dass man da nicht investieren sollte.

Bis eine Wahrheit rauskommt (falls sie es tut und wie auch immer sie aussieht) konnten früher schon mal 100 Jahre und mehr vergehen.
In der heutigen vernetzten Welt kann das erheblich schneller vonstatten gehen...

Wahr ist, die Wahrheit erfährt man immer erst zum Schluss.

[betterthantherest]

[posting]17.780.776 von MrRipley am 04.09.05 13:41:55[/posting]Wahr ist auch, dass die Lebenserwartung der AIDS Patienten signifikant verlängert werden konnte. Also irgendetwas muss die Pharmaindustrie dann doch richtig gemacht haben.

[MrRipley]

Ich glaube an den Placeboeffekt;-)
Die meisten Medis sind unnütz, aber es kommt auf die Vermarktung und die Meinung der Allgemeinheit an und nicht auf die Wirkung an sich.

Momentan weiss ich aber selber nicht, was an Aids dem HIV usw. wirklich dran ist.
Bin da noch am sondieren, da es mehrere für mich glaubwürdige und unterschiedlich beurteilende Quellen gibt.
Das gleiche übrigens auch bei Krebs und anderen großen "Seuchen".
Aber das gehört nicht hierher, ich bin nur der Meinung, dass das eigene (negative)Denken, der eigene Glaube an eine Krankheit und festgefahrene Meinungen über eine "Krankheit" und unverantwortliche Lebensführung schon als Krankheitsauslöser fungieren!

[Lea_00]

[posting]17.791.664 von MrRipley am 05.09.05 18:32:37[/posting]ex das kann ja keiner lesen, du sondierst ob an aids was dran ist und seuchen gibt es auch gar nicht, die leute sterben auch nur am placeboeffekt ...kriegst schon mal die rote karte

habe momentan vertex und imclone im depot, wobei imclone nur suckt ..von vertex erhoffe ich mir mal endlich nen knaller

[blb]

Ich halte mich lieber an die Fakten:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Agreements to Exchange $40.5 Million of its Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 for Common Stock
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 09, 2005 8:12 AM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept 09, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) announced today that four holders of its 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 have agreed to exchange $40,450,000 in aggregate principal amount plus approximately $955,000 of accrued interest on those notes for approximately 2,452,000 shares of the Company`s common stock.

The Company anticipates that the exchanges will be completed by the close of business today. Upon completion of the exchanges, the aggregate principal amount of the Company`s 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 will be reduced to approximately $42.1 million in aggregate principal amount. Upon issuance of the common stock in exchange for the notes, the Company will have approximately 98.3 million shares of common stock outstanding.

The Company expects to incur a non-cash charge of approximately $36.0 million as a result of the exchanges. This charge is related to the incremental shares to be issued in the transaction over the number that would have been issued upon conversion of the notes under their original terms, and will be reported in the Company`s third quarter 2005 financial results.

This announcement is neither an offer to exchange nor a solicitation of an offer to exchange any of these securities. The exchanges are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva(R), with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex expects to close the transactions on September 9, 2005 and that Vertex estimates that it will incur a non-cash charge of approximately $36.0 million in connection with the note exchanges described above. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include the risk and uncertainty that our estimate of the amount of the charge will prove to be inaccurate, and other risks and uncertainties listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum
VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning
[phone]

Michael Partridge,
Director, Corporate Communications
[phone]

Lora Pike
Manager, Investor Relations
[phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Monday, 09-05-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

21.09.2005 - 11:24 Uhr

Rating-Update: Die Analysten von Morgan Stanley stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) von "underweight" auf "equal-weight" hoch. Das Kursziel werde bei 17 USD gesehen. Analyse-Datum: 20.05.2005


Schon interessant diese Analysten. Im Mai gehe die noch her und stufen Vertex auf underweight und 4 Monate später aufgrund der gleichen Analyse auf equal-weight. Mich würde mal interessieren, ob sich die Jungs von Morgan Stanley so richtig mit der Aktie eingedeckt haben. Und das Kursziel ist erst so richtig interessant: 17 USD - und wir sind schon über 19.

[blb]

@ABV2003: Ist doch immer das Gleiche! Hast du einen gesehen, der VRTX bei 10$ auf kaufen gestuft hat? Ich nicht! Die Typen liegen so oft falsch und schwimmen einfahc mit dem Strom, das kann jeder...

Grüße
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]17.980.534 von blb am 21.09.05 15:15:58[/posting]Hi blb, gestern hat Vertex etwas nachgegeben. Ich bin mal gespannt, wie schnell die wieder ihre Fahne in den Wind halten. Ich selbst glaube, daß Vertex uns noch viel Spaß bereiten wird. Man muß es nur genau beobachten.

[betterthantherest]

Das klingt doch vielversprechend.

Vertex: 2 drugs may have multibillion dollar sales
Wed Sep 21, 2005 04:02 PM ET
NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The chief executive officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said company drugs now being tested against hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis each have potential to garner "multibillion dollar" annual sales.

Joshua Boger said in an interview he is particularly excited about his protease inhibitor against hepatitis C, called VX-950. He said early clinical data suggest it may be able within 1 to 3 months to eliminate the virus without serious flu-like side effects seen with current year-long treatments.

Boger said the other potential blockbuster, called VX-702, is a once-daily pill now entering mid-stage trials against rheumatoid arthritis. By blocking an enzyme called p38 MAP kinase, it is designed to automatically also block a number of inflammation-causing proteins, including tumor necrosis factor.

"I think VX-702 has potential to be more important than standard existing rheumatoid arthritis treatments that work by blocking tumor necrosis factor," he said. Existing treatments include Amgen Inc.`s (AMGN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Enbrel, which has annual sales of almost $2 billion, and Abbott Laboratories Inc.`s (ABT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) $1.3 billion-a-year Humira.

"Both VX-950 and VX-702 have (annual) billion-dollar or multibillion dollar sales potential," Boger said.

[ABV2003]

[posting]17.994.541 von betterthantherest am 22.09.05 15:02:16[/posting]Schön, aber soweit ich weis, befinden sich die Dinger erst in Phase 1 bzw. Phase 2 der klinischen Erprobung. Wenn das stimmt, was Boger da sagt, können wir uns trotz allem auf steigende Kurse gefasst machen. Denn dann werden sich viele schon vorher eindecken. Mich würden die Testergebnisse mal genauer interessieren. Oder ist er nur ein Vater, der auf seinen Sohn stolz ist?

[betterthantherest]

[posting]17.995.198 von ABV2003 am 22.09.05 15:31:30[/posting]Über die Testergebnisse wurde bereits zu einem früheren Zeitpunkt berichtet. Der Erfolg war so durchschlagend, dass ein verkürztes Zulassungsverfahren ins Auge gefasst wurde.

[blb]

Präsentation vom Dienstag: http://www.vrtx.com/pdfs/UBS_VRTX_092705.pdf

[ABV2003]

Hatte ich also recht mit Phase 1. Dauert noch etwas. Vertex hatte schon einmal einen absoluten Hammer in den Sand gesetzt und brach dann ein. Aber dennoch glaube ich an die Firma. Die Pipeline ist voll und vielversprechend. Und VX-950 gegen Hepatitis C wäre der absolute Hammer.

[charlie01]

Die Analysten sind sich einig:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals "overweight", 1. Kursziel 25$
20$ überwunden, charttechnisch sieht es gut aus.

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.086.248 von charlie01 am 29.09.05 22:15:13[/posting]Kursziel 25$ bis wann? Da steckt weit mehr drin. Schau Dir mal die Pipeline an und das Marktpotential (Posting von blb). Jetzt rechne vorsichtig hoch, was Vertex bei nur 3 erfolgreichen Markteinführungen verdient. Dann hälst Du den aktuellen Kurs dagegen, oder die 25$. Das ist nur der Anfang!!! Die Firma ist 2009 ein vielfaches wert.

[charlie01]

[posting]18.088.361 von ABV2003 am 30.09.05 08:57:17[/posting]Ganz deiner Meinung. Ich kenne die Pipeline und bin auch schon länger investiert. Wenn VX-950 ein Erfolg wird werden wir ganz sicher alte Höchstände überwinden. Kursziel 25$ werden wir mit Sicherheit schon im Oktober erreichen.
Vielleicht sogar schon 30$.

[Frank888]

Hallo, zusammen,

bin heute eingestiegen, gibts neue Infos, kurs schon über 24

[betterthantherest]

[posting]18.121.438 von Frank888 am 03.10.05 18:22:34[/posting]Vertex könnte sich zu einem echten Kracher entwickeln.


Press Release Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

New Data Suggest Vertex`s Oral Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor VX-950 May Reduce Liver Injury; VX-950 Clinical Milestones on Track
Monday October 3, 8:00 am ET

MONTREAL, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New data show that patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with VX-950, an investigational oral HCV protease inhibitor being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX - News), rapidly achieved substantial reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after 14 days of treatment. The findings were presented today by researchers at the 12th International Symposium on Hepatitis C and Related Viruses (HCV 2005) in Montreal, Canada. Vertex also provided an update on clinical development of VX-950, which is one of the most advanced of a new class of medicines in development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Data from a 14-day clinical study demonstrated that treatment with any one of three doses of VX-950 resulted in median serum ALT declines of 25-32 U/L in all dose groups. In the placebo group, a median 8 U/L increase was observed. Prior to treatment with VX-950, serum ALT levels were elevated in approximately 70 percent of patients in the study. In the VX-950 dose groups, 83 percent (15 of 18) of patients with elevated ALT levels at baseline (prior to treatment) had achieved normalization of ALT levels at day 14, compared to 0 percent (0 of 6) in the placebo group. Elevated ALT levels are common in HCV patients and are considered to be a marker of liver injury due to HCV infection. Mean levels of serum neopterin also were observed to decrease with VX-950 treatment in the study. Decreased neopterin levels may be a further signal of a reduction in inflammation associated with HCV infection.(1)

A study of viral isolates from patients at baseline in a 14-day clinical study, also presented at the conference, found heterogeneity among viral sequences in the HCV protease domain. In vitro analysis indicated that all baseline viral isolates were sensitive to VX-950.(2)

"To date, data from early clinical studies have suggested that VX-950 is well-tolerated and can rapidly reduce HCV viral levels in patients over a short treatment period," said John Alam, M.D., Senior Vice President of Drug Evaluation and Approval at Vertex. "In addition, we now have evidence that treatment with VX-950 appeared to lead to a dramatic decline in markers of liver injury associated with viral infection."

Clinical Update

Vertex affirmed today that it remains on track to achieve key milestones in its VX-950 clinical program in the fourth quarter of 2005, including initiation of a 14-day Phase Ib combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in Europe and filing of an investigational new drug (IND) application in the United States to support Phase II development of VX-950. Vertex anticipates that it will initiate a 28-day, Phase II combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon by year-end. Vertex expects to present additional VX-950 clinical data at two more medical conferences in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Clinical Need and Market Opportunity in HCV Infection

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious public health concern affecting approximately 2.7 million people in the United States. HCV causes inflammation of the liver, which may lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, liver cancer, and ultimately, liver failure. Cirrhosis of the liver resulting from chronic HCV infection is the leading reason for liver transplantation in the U.S. Due to the asymptomatic nature of HCV infection, it often goes undetected for up to 20 years following initial infection. Worldwide, the disease afflicts as many as 170 million people. Each year, 8,000 to 10,000 people in the U.S. die from complications of HCV infection

[blb]

Die längerfristige Perspektive zeigt, dass hier noch manches möglich ist. 1. größeres Ziel sind die 30$! Ich hab zur Zeit bei den Bios sowiso nur ein Grinsen auf, sogar die ewig nervige MLNM steigt mal wieder!

Viele Grüße euch allen, v.a. den Biotechfans, die schon zu Anfangzeiten dabei waren. Jetzt sind wir wieder dran!

Grüße
blb

[betterthantherest]

Lemminge


04.10.2005 17:11
Bernstein zu Vertex Pharma
Bernstein bestätigen die Titel von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) mit „outperform“. Das Kursziel wird deutlich von 20,40 auf 32 Dollar erhöht.

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.135.991 von betterthantherest am 04.10.05 19:31:53[/posting]Yo, mich würde mal interessieren, wie die ganzen neunmalklugen Analysten diese Kurse errechnen - Lemminge! Die passen doch nur an, weil sich der Kurs dieses Jahr um über 160% nach oben bewegt hat. Also können sie ihr Kursziel nachziehen und sie sehen nicht ganz so doof aus. Zumindest für jemand, der sich nicht selbst eine Meinung bildet! Die sind wie Politiker: Für alles gibt es eine Begründung, warum etwas funktioniert hat, oder auch nicht. Leider bringen die immer erst alles in Nachhinein.

[betterthantherest]

Auch wenn sich erste Erfolge abzeichnen, so muss man sich immer noch darüber im Klaren sein, dass noch viel Zeit ins Land gehen wird, bevor sich Gewinne aus dem Verkauf der Medikamente erzielen lassen.


Vertex Pharma To Focus On HCV, Arthritis Drug Candidates


10-04-05 06:05 PM EST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -(Dow Jones)- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) plans to focus its development investment on drug candidates VX-950 for hepatitis C virus infection and VX-702 for rheumatoid arthritis in 2006.

The company also expects to bring forward the clinical development of an investigational drug candidate for cystic fibrosis to 2006.

In a press release Tuesday, Vertex said it expects to minimize its future development investment in merimepodib, an oral compound for hepatitis C virus infection, and VX-765, a treatment of psoriasis. The company said its updated focus is based on an analysis of commercial opportunity and available clinical data across all of the company`s portfolio of programs.

In its statement, Vertex also said it will continue to collaborate with other companies to develop small molecule drugs for cancer and HIV.

(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

10-04-051805ET

A Vertex Pharmaceuticals spokesman said the company is in the middle of its planning process for 2006 and the selected compounds shouldn`t come as a surprise. The investments are focussed on the candidates at their midstages advancing toward late-stage development, he added. Both the VX-950 and VX-702 are in phase II midstage development.

The spokesman said Vertex expects to file a new drug application for VX-950 in 2008, though it hasn`t set a projection for VX-702.

On the drugs that won`t be a priority in 2006, the Vertex representative said no new trials will be started on them but existing trials will continue until their completion.

On Monday, Vertex said new data show that VX-950 rapidly reduce hepatitis C viral levels in infected patients after 14 days of treatment. The company affirmed that it remains on track to achieve key milestones in its VX-950 clinical program in the fourth quarter.

-Judy Lam; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400; [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-04-051807ET

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.144.741 von betterthantherest am 05.10.05 10:02:16[/posting]Richtig: Vertex wird absolut volatil bleiben. Wer glaubt, es wäre jetzt schon geschafft, der irrt gewaltig. Aber der Kurs wird im Endeffekt nach und nach steigen. Und wenn die Markteinführungen kommen ist der Kuchen schon verteilt!

[blb]

Die Phase I-Ergebnisse waren so überragend, dass die Zulassung deswegen schon nach und nach eingepreist wird. Daher auch der Anstieg. Von den aktuellen Zahlen ist die Bewertung natürlich keineswegs gerechtfertigt.

[charlie01]

[posting]18.145.529 von blb am 05.10.05 11:10:57[/posting]wie sieht denn die Bewertung von Vertex momentan aus?

Ich glaube, daß wir mit Vertex die nächsten Jahre ein gutes Investment im Depot haben. Das ich demzufolge auf gute Nachrichten hoffe, ist wohl klar. Im Biotechsektor hängt immer sehr viel von den klinischen Testphasen ab.
Das war ja auch bei Vertex so der Fall, als Pralnacasan
schlechte Testergebnisse geliefert hat.
Daraufhin wurde die Aktie ja regelrecht verprügelt.

Ich werde Vertex auf jeden Fall in meinem Depot halten.

Das die Firma Medikamente zur Marktreife bringen kann haben die schon mit Argenerese und Lexiva unter Beweis gestellt.

[blb]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Focus 2006 Clinical Development on Therapies for Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Inflammation and Cystic Fibrosis
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2005 4:30 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 04, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) announced today that it will concentrate its development investment in 2006 on Phase II clinical development of its drug candidates VX-950 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and VX-702 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the Company expects to bring forward into clinical development in 2006 an investigational drug candidate for cystic fibrosis (CF). Vertex`s updated focus on accelerating the clinical development of these three proprietary product candidates is based on an analysis of commercial opportunity and available clinical data across all of the Company`s portfolio of programs. The Company expects to minimize its own future development investment in both merimepodib (MMPD), an oral compound designed to enhance the antiviral efficacy of interferon-based combination therapy for HCV, and VX-765, an interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis. In addition to three areas where Vertex will focus its development investment, Vertex will continue to collaborate with other companies to develop small molecule drugs for cancer and HIV.

"Focusing our development portfolio in 2006 on VX-950 and VX-702 supports our commitment to the rapid clinical advancement of these compounds, which have the potential to be exciting new treatment options for HCV and inflammation," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "We believe that based on a rigorous analysis of available clinical data across all of our programs, and an appreciation of the commercial opportunity in our areas of concentration, the decision to focus our portfolio will drive clinical and commercial value for Vertex and its shareholders in the coming years.

"In addition to the compounds that we seek to develop independently, we are working with collaborators to develop innovative therapies in the areas of cancer and HIV, and this will continue to be an important component of our business model going forward," added Dr. Boger.

Vertex`s Clinical Pipeline
VX-950:
VX-950 is an investigational oral HCV protease inhibitor and is one
of the most advanced in a new class of medicines for the treatment
of chronic HCV infection. In a 14-day, Phase 1b study concluded
earlier in 2005, VX-950, administered as a single agent, produced a
rapid and dramatic reduction in HCV-RNA in HCV patients.

Vertex is on track to expand its clinical program in the fourth
quarter of 2005 and to conduct a variety of key clinical studies
with VX-950 in 2006, including a one-month study in combination
with pegylated interferon, and a three-month study in combination
with pegylated interferon that will be designed to evaluate
sustained viral responses in HCV-infected patients.

VX-702:
VX-702 is an investigational oral p38 MAP kinase inhibitor designed
to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production. Inhibition of p38 MAP
kinase represents a promising mechanism for the treatment of RA and
a wide variety of inflammatory diseases.

Vertex is actively enrolling patients in a three-month, 300-
patient, Phase II clinical study in RA in more than 40 centers in
Europe. Vertex expects to complete enrollment in the RA trial by
year-end 2005 and to report top-line results from the Phase II
study in mid-2006.

Cystic Fibrosis:
Vertex has advanced into late-stage discovery two new classes of
compounds that may partially restore the function of the defective
cell membrane protein that is responsible for the development of
CF. Vertex has identified a series of compounds that could act as
"potentiators" -- compounds that directly increase the gating
ability of the defective ion channel -- and "correctors" --
compounds that enhance the number of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane
Regulator (CFTR) channels at the cell surface. Vertex expects to
advance a compound for CF into clinical development in 2006. To
date, significant funding for Vertex`s drug discovery efforts in CF
has been provided through its collaboration with Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT).

Merimepodib (MMPD):
Vertex is conducting two Phase II clinical studies with MMPD.
Vertex is continuing to conduct the ongoing METRO study, a triple
combination, Phase II trial that has enrolled 356 patients who were
non-responsive to a combination of pegylated interferon and
ribavirin, as well as a 28-day viral kinetic study of MMPD in
combination with ribavirin only. Vertex plans to complete the
METRO study in 2006 and is on track to complete the Phase II, 28-
day viral kinetic study in the fourth quarter of 2005. The Company
does not currently plan to conduct additional MMPD clinical studies
after these two ongoing clinical trials are completed.

VX-765:
VX-765 is an oral cytokine inhibitor for inflammation. Vertex has
completed dosing in a four-week, Phase IIa safety and
pharmacokinetic study with VX-765 in 68 patients with psoriasis.

Vertex Compounds in Development with Collaborators
VX-385 (GSK):
VX-385, an HIV protease inhibitor (PI) with demonstrated in vitro
activity against viral isolates resistant to multiple currently-
marketed PIs, is under development as part of Vertex`s
collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK initiated a Phase
IIb clinical study of VX-385 during the third quarter of 2005.

VX-680 (Merck & Co.):
VX-680, a small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases, is being
developed as part of a worldwide collaboration with Merck for
oncology indications. Currently, VX-680 is being tested in three
clinical studies in the U.S.

VX-944 (Avalon Pharmaceuticals):
VX-944, a novel inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH)
inhibitor, is under development by Avalon Pharmaceuticals for
oncology indications under a worldwide license from Vertex.
Avalon`s Investigational New Drug (IND) application is now open for
VX-944. Avalon, which recently closed its initial public offering,
plans to initiate a clinical trial of VX-944 in a hematological
cancer indication in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Continued Commitment to Drug Discovery


Vertex maintains a strong commitment to research and will continue to focus on early drug discovery efforts targeting cancer, pain, inflammation and infectious disease. Vertex continues to collaborate with Novartis to discover and develop novel kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva.

Lexiva(R) is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex expects (i) to concentrate its 2006 development investment on VX-950 and VX-702 and to minimize future development investment in merimepodib and VX-765; (ii) to bring forward into clinical development in 2006 an investigational drug candidate for cystic fibrosis; (iii) that Vertex`s decision to focus its portfolio will drive clinical and commercial value for the Company and its shareholders; (iv) that it will expand its clinical program for VX-950 in the fourth quarter of 2005 and conduct a variety of key clinical studies in 2006, including one-month and three-month studies of VX-950 in combination with pegylated interferon; (v) to complete enrollment by year-end 2005 and report top-line results in mid-2006 of its Phase II study of VX-702 for rheumatoid arthritis; and (vi) that Avalon Pharmaceuticals will begin a clinical trial of VX-944 in a cancer indication in the fourth quarter of 2005. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, supply or patient enrollment issues, that the Company will change its focus and priority as new information comes to light and we gain additional insight into ongoing programs and potential new programs, that clinical trials will not reflect the results obtained in nonclinical testing and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex Contacts:

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone]

Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]

Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]

SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Specialist,
Media Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Friday, 09-30-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[3cardinal]

längerfristige Perspektiven wie du sie nennst, haben heute wohl erst mal wieder einen Dämpfer erhalten.

Vertex ist und bleibt ein volatiler Wert und ist noch lange nicht auf dem Weg richtig Geld zu verdienen.

Übrigens: tolle Grafiken was willst du damit sagen

Bin in Vertex nun schon seit 2000 investiert, zu damaligen 95 Euronen und kenne den Wert somit schon eine Weile.
Da wird es noch einige Rücksetzer auf den Weg dorthin geben.

[blb]

Falls du mich meinst: Der Bruch der 20$ stellte noch einmal ein Kaufsignal dar, es ging bis um die 25$. Dass das jetzt auskonsolidiert werden muss, ist offensichtlich. Der Chart soll das Geaamtbild zeigen und demnach haben wir die lange Bodenphase beendet und sind jetzt wieder in einer Ausschwungsphase. Wie weit das gehen kann, siehe z.B. bei Sepracor.

Gute Nacht
blb

[ABV2003]

Richtig. Bei solchen Kursgewinnen ist es logisch, dass einige Kasse machen. Und vrtx ist in den letzten Tagen doch richtig gut gelaufen. Deine 95 Euro wirst Du dieses Jahr nicht mehr sehen. Aber auf lange Sicht sind die durchaus drin.

[blb]

Vertex streicht Forschungsmittel zusammen

05.10.2005 - 20:23


Vertex Pharmaceuticals gerieten heute an der Nasdaq unter Druck.

Zuvor hatte das Biotech-Unternehmen mitgeteilt, dass es die Forschungsausgaben für zwei Präparate, die sich derzeit in mittleren klinischen Testphasen befinden, stark reduzieren werde. Einer der Wirkstoffe wurde als Zusatzkomponente für Hepatitis-C-Medikamente entwickelt, das zweite Mittel soll zur Behandlung von Schuppenflechte eingesetzt werden. Wie die Gesellschaft mitteilte, wolle sie sich stattdessen auf kommerziell vielversprechendere Präparate konzentrieren. Hierzu würden ein originäres Hepatitis-C-Medikament und ein Mittel gegen rheumatische Arthritis gehören.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals geben derzeit in den USA 4,51 Prozent auf 23,28 Dollar ab.

[ABV2003]

Der richtige Schritt. Das wird der MArkt auch wieder erkennen - es dauert nur mal wieder etwas länger.

[charlie01]

[posting]18.175.853 von ABV2003 am 07.10.05 09:07:32[/posting]Der Markt hat es kapiert!!

Auf zu den Kurszielen der Analysten!!

KZ 30-32$

[blb]

Hepatitis drug: Turnaround for Vertex?

By Val Brickates Kennedy, MarketWatch

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- It`s one of the oldest biotechnology companies in the country, but Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. has yet to make much money on a consistent basis.

Vertex hopes to change all of that, however, with its experimental drug VX-950, a treatment for hepatitis C, the deadly virus that can destroy the human liver.

"VX-950 is a huge market opportunity," Chief Executive Josh Boger said in an interview at the company`s offices in Cambridge, Mass. "The launch of 950 would be an event that would drive us to profitability."

Vertex (VRTX) is still operating in the red, reporting a net loss of $166.2 million on revenue of $102.7 million in 2004. Later this month, the company is expected to post a third-quarter loss of about $45 million.

Boger, who co-founded the company in 1989, has spent the last decade overseeing development of a class of antiviral drugs called protease inhibitors. Once thought to be highly experimental, the drugs have proven effective in treating another potential killer, HIV.

Vertex says it stands to make $25 million to $29 million in royalties this year on sales of two HIV drugs, Agenerase and Levixa, a pair of protease inhibitors marketed with GlaxoSmithKline.

Now protease inhibitors are also showing great promise in the treatment of hepatitis C virus, also known as HCV, a disease that afflicts nearly 4 million Americans.

About 2.7 million of them are considered chronically infected, meaning they run the risk of suffering severe liver damage over time. Some patients eventually require liver transplants to stay alive.

Phase I clinical trials have shown VX-950 to be very effective in fighting a form of hepatitis C known as genotype 1, the most prevalent strain of the disease in the United States. It`s also the one that`s most resistant to standard therapy.

"Protease inhibitors promise to be the backbone of future HCV therapies," said Andrew McDonald, a biotech analyst for ThinkEquity. "They are far and away the best drugs we`ve seen so far for HCV."

If approved, the market for VX-950 is worth at least $4 billion worldwide, by McDonald`s estimate. According to analysts at J.P. Morgan Chase, the market could reach $8 billion by 2010.

Grim treatment

Boger said it could be even bigger, given that the current standard therapy for treating the disease is so grim. Indeed, most people with the virus avoid treatment until they have already suffered considerable liver damage.

Typically, the therapy calls for bombarding a patient`s body with two powerful drugs -- pegylated interferon and the antiviral medication ribavirin -- for up to a year. Pegylated interferon, which helps prevent the virus from replicating, often causes flu-like symptoms for months on end.

Even more disheartening, at the end of it all, the virus returns in about 50% of the patients stricken with genotype 1. Patients are considered to have been treated successfully if their bodies show no sign of the virus six months after the treatment has ended.

"The drugs are not effective and not well-tolerated, and that`s a bad combination," said Boger. "You either clear the body of the virus, or you get nothing."

VX-950 has the potential to change all of that, Boger said.

Early clinical trials have shown the drug to be highly effective in lowering the amount of virus in the bloodstream, especially for genotype 1, in a far shorter period of time than pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Combination dose

VX-950 would be used, at least initially, in combination with pegylated interferon. But because pegylated interferon would be used for a far shorter period of time, patients would begin to feel better much sooner.

VX-950, according to Boger, could shorten the treatment time from around one year to only one to three months, with a much higher cure rate.

"VX-950`s cure rate could be more than 90%," said analyst McDonald, adding he thought the therapy course would be more likely shortened to three to six months.

"VX-950 is surprisingly safe and well-tolerated," McDonald said. "It has a high likelihood of eventually getting approved."

The company has several other drugs in development. But it announced last week that in addition to VX-950, it`s focusing on a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis called VX-702, and an unnamed prospective drug to treat cystic fibrosis.

Vertex plans to wrap up Phase I testing of VX-950 during the fourth quarter. By year-end, the company will apply to the FDA to begin Phase II trials, intended in part to see how long the drug can keep the virus at bay.

Competition

If all goes well, the drug could be on the market in early 2009. Vertex intends to market VX-950 without a partner in the United States.

However, the company could also soon find itself in a neck-and-neck race with Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) , which is developing a similar drug. That drug has reportedly moved into Phase II clinical trials, said Boger.

"We`ll just have to see what their data is," Boger said.

McDonald said the two companies` treatments are "virtually identical," but he figures Vertex is still positioned to grab about 30% of the hepatitis C market.

Several other major pharmaceutical companies also have their sights on the market, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer Inc. (PFE) , Merck & Co. (MRK) , Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(BMY) and Abbott Laboratories (ABT). HIV drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) also could be a player. McDonald said future drug development may not be for drugs that compete directly with the protease inhibitors, but for ones that enhance them.

"All the major heavy hitters are watching this unfold in front of them," said McDonald. "And you can bet they all have their own plans for HCV."

[betterthantherest]

[posting]18.324.818 von blb am 18.10.05 11:37:59[/posting]Die Heilungsrate von 90% gibt zu denken.

Wer geheilt ist, braucht keine Medikamente mehr.

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.326.931 von betterthantherest am 18.10.05 13:26:52[/posting]Hallo, genau deswegen wird geforscht. Die Menschen sollen geheilt werden. Bei allem Respekt für Margen und Gewinne, darf man das nie vergessen! Eine Quote von 90% ist doch genial und zeigt, wie gut Vertex ist. Glaub mir: es wird trotzdem, oder gerade deswegen genug verdient.

[Opa_Klaus]

Ja ich glaube auch daß Vertex ne gute Aktie ist und den Investierten bei positiven Nachrichten noch viel Freude machen wird.

[blb]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2005 Financial Results
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2005 4:07 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today reported consolidated financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

"Vertex is on track to meet its clinical and corporate objectives for the year," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "We announced today the initiation of a Phase Ib combination study for our oral HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950. In addition, we announced that we have reached our target enrollment ahead of schedule in a 300-patient Phase II study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with our p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, VX-702."

For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company`s net loss on a GAAP basis was $79.6 million, or $0.84 per share. This included a non-cash charge of approximately $36.3 million as a result of the private exchange of $40.5 million of its 2007 Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes for approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock. The net loss on a GAAP basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was $38.8 million, or $0.49 per share.

The loss, before charges, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $41.7 million or $0.44 per share, compared to a loss, before charges, of $36.2 million, or $0.46 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. The Company`s 2005 third quarter non-GAAP loss was characterized by continued revenue growth, which offset increased development investment as the Company continues to advance its proprietary drug candidates.

Total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 increased to $36.2 million from $26.8 million for the same period in 2004, reflecting an increase in revenue from collaborative agreements and an increase in HIV product royalties. Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $63.6 million, compared to $48.8 million for the third quarter of 2004, reflecting the advancement of proprietary drug candidates.

Sales, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were $10.7 million, compared to $10.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

Other interest expense, net, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $0.8 million, compared to $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2004. The decrease in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 was due to increased returns from invested funds.

At September 30, 2005, Vertex had approximately $399.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, $42.1 million in principal amount of convertible debt due September 2007 and $232.4 million in principal amount of convertible debt due February 2011.

Outlook

"Vertex expects substantial clinical newsflow in the remainder of 2005 and into 2006, reflecting progress with our proprietary drug candidates as well as those in development with collaborators," stated Dr. Boger. "We anticipate announcing soon the submission of an investigational new drug application (IND) for our oral HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950, and the initiation of Phase II clinical development for this compound in the United States by year-end. In addition, we announced today the achievement of our target enrollment in a 300-patient, Phase II study of VX-702 in RA, and as a result, we now anticipate having clinical data for this trial in the second quarter of 2006."

"We are also looking forward to continued progress with our product candidates directed at HIV infection and cancer," stated Dr. Boger. "In the third quarter, our collaborator GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) began a Phase IIb clinical trial of the HIV protease inhibitor VX-385. We expect clinical investigators to present the first antiviral data for VX-385 in patients at ICAAC in December. Additionally, our collaborator Merck has three clinical studies underway with VX-680 in cancer, and we anticipate that the first clinical data from this program could become available in the coming months."

Recent Clinical and Corporate Highlights
* VX-950: Vertex announced today that it has initiated a 20-patient Phase
Ib study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon in
Europe. Top-line results from the study including safety and viral
kinetic data are anticipated by early first quarter 2006.

The Company also announced today that it has completed key steps toward
submitting an IND to support Phase II development of VX-950 in the
United States, including the completion of a pharmacokinetic study in
healthy volunteers that has confirmed the bioavailability of the tablet
form of VX-950, and the completion of 28-day nonclinical toxicology
studies in two species. Vertex has completed pre-IND consultations with
the U.S. FDA and plans to submit an IND in the next few weeks. The
Company anticipates initiating in the U.S. by year-end a one-month Phase
II clinical trial of VX-950 in combination with pegylated interferon.

In November, Vertex plans to present data on VX-950 at a medical
conference, including the full results of the Phase Ib VX-950
monotherapy study, as well as related pharmacokinetic and viral
sequencing data.

* VX-702: Vertex announced today it has reached its target enrollment of
300 patients in a Phase II clinical study in RA with VX-702.
Approximately 65 patients have thus far completed three months of
treatment. The Company expects top-line data from the study to be
available in the second quarter of 2006. In addition, Vertex`s
collaborator Kissei Pharmaceutical has completed regulatory filings in
preparation for Phase I clinical development of VX-702 in Japan, which
is expected to begin by year-end.

* Cystic Fibrosis: Vertex has identified two types of compounds that could
restore the function of the defective cell membrane protein that is
responsible for the progression of cystic fibrosis (CF): "potentiators"
-- compounds that directly increase the gating ability of the defective
ion channel -- and "correctors" -- compounds that enhance the number of
Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) channels at the cell
surface. Vertex expects to advance a compound for CF into clinical
development in 2006.

* VX-385: GSK began a Phase IIb study of the HIV protease inhibitor VX-385
in more than 100 patients at centers in the U.S., Canada, Australia and
the E.U. Vertex expects GSK to present Phase IIa antiviral data on VX-
385 at ICAAC in December 2005.

* VX-944: On September 1, 2005, Avalon Pharmaceuticals filed an IND
application with the U.S. FDA for VX-944. The IND was activated in late
September, and Avalon intends to initiate Phase Ib clinical development
of VX-944 in patients with hematologic malignancies.

* In the third quarter, Vertex executed a private exchange with four bond
holders of approximately $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount of
Vertex`s 2007 notes plus accrued interest for approximately 2.5 million
shares of common stock.

Full Year 2005 Financial Guidance


This section contains forward-looking guidance about the financial outlook for Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

"Throughout 2005, Vertex has continued to enhance its financial strength in preparation for advanced clinical development of proprietary drug candidates for HCV, inflammation and CF," said Ian Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vertex. "We raised more than $175 million in gross proceeds from an equity offering earlier this year, and we recently completed a private exchange of approximately $40.5 million in convertible notes for common stock, which continues to reduce our near-term debt obligations. In addition, we announced our intention to target our 2006 development activities in three key areas, which will allow us to focus our investment as we pursue opportunities to drive shareholder value in 2006."

"We remain confident that we will achieve our 2005 financial guidance, which is dependent on the signing of new collaborations and the achievement of milestones in existing collaborations," added Mr. Smith.

Vertex today reiterated its 2005 financial guidance, as previously updated in its July 27, 2005 press release. The Company anticipates that its 2005 loss, before charges and gains, will be in the range of $140-$150 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, Vertex`s financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Vertex provides its third quarter 2005 loss, and guidance for a full year 2005 loss, excluding charges and gains, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company`s business, and uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company`s business and to evaluate its performance.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex expects (i) to meet all of its clinical and corporate objectives for the year, (ii) anticipates continuing revenue growth to offset, in part, increasing development costs, (iii) significant clinical newsflow in 2005 and into 2006, reflecting progress with the clinical trials of its proprietary drug candidates as well as those in development with collaborators, (iv) to submit an IND for VX-950 and initiate Phase II clinical development of VX-950 by year-end, (v) to have clinical data from a 300- patient, Phase II study of VX-702 in rheumatoid arthritis in mid-2006, (vi) that clinical investigators will present the first antiviral data on VX-385 at ICAAC in December, (vii) that the first clinical data on VX-680 will be available in the coming months (viii) that top-line results from a Phase Ib study of VX-950 will be available by early first quarter 2006, (ix) that its collaborator Kissei will begin Phase I development of VX-702 in Japan by year- end, (x) that it will advance a compound for CF into clinical development in 2006, and (xi) that the Company`s projected 2005 annual loss, revenue, R&D expense, SG&A expense and cash position will be within the ranges stated in the Company`s updated financial guidance provided on July 27, 2005 as part of the Company`s second quarter 2005 financial results. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that any one or more of Vertex`s internal and external drug development programs will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons or due to patient enrollment issues or based on new information from nonclinical or clinical studies or from other sources, that one or more of the Company`s assumptions underlying its revenue expectations, including clinical and scientific progress that could lead to milestone payments under existing collaboration agreements or other payments under new collaborations, will not be realized, that Vertex will be unable to realize one or more of its financial objectives for 2005, due to any number of financial, technical or collaboration considerations, that unexpected costs associated with one of the Company`s programs will necessitate a reduction in its investment in other programs or a change in the Company`s financial projections, that future competitive or other market factors may adversely impact the commercial potential for the Company`s product candidates in HCV and inflammation, that the Company`s drug discovery efforts will not ultimately result in commercial products or assets that can generate collaboration revenue, due to scientific, medical or technical developments, that Vertex will be unable to enter into new collaborative relationships to support its research and development programs on acceptable terms, or at all, that the key estimates and assumptions underlying the Company`s forward- looking statements will turn out to be incorrect or not reflective of changing scientific knowledge or business conditions in the future, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
2005 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2005 2004 2005 2004

Revenues:

Royalties $9,466 $4,403 $23,086 $10,996
Collaborative and other
R&D revenues 26,741 22,425 74,048 51,886

Total revenues $36,207 $26,828 $97,134 $62,882

Costs and expenses:
Royalty payments 2,796 1,466 7,315 3,640
Research and development 63,590 48,790 180,382 137,915
Sales, general &
administrative 10,738 10,600 31,179 30,482

Total costs and expenses 77,124 60,856 218,876 172,037

Other interest expense, net 772 2,189 5,484 5,661

Loss excluding charges for
exchange and retirement of
2007 convertible notes
and restructuring $(41,689) $(36,217) $(127,226) $(114,816)

Basic and diluted loss per
common share excluding
charges for exchange and
retirement of 2007
convertible notes and
restructuring $(0.44) $(0.46) $(1.49) $(1.46)

Charge for exchange of 2007
convertible notes
(Note 1) (36,324) --- (36,324) ---
Charge for retirement of
2007 convertible notes
(Note 2) --- (993) --- (3,446)
Restructuring expense, net
(Note 3) (1,565) (1,561) (1,736) (5,216)
Net loss $(79,578) $(38,771) $(165,286) (123,478)

Basic and diluted net loss
per common share $(0.84) $(0.49) $(1.93) $(1.57)

Basic and diluted weighted
average number of common
shares outstanding 94,590 78,742 85,462 78,403


Note 1: In September 2005, holders of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 exchanged $40.5 million in aggregate principal amount plus approximately $1.0 million of accrued interest on the notes for approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock. As a result of the exchange, a non-cash charge of approximately $36.3 million was incurred. This charge is related to the incremental shares issued in the transaction over the number that would have been issued upon conversion of the notes under their original terms.

Note 2: In September 2004, the Company exchanged approximately $79.3 million in aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 for approximately $79.3 million in aggregate principal amount of newly issued 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. In February 2004, the Company exchanged approximately $153.1 million in aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007 for approximately $153.1 million of newly issued 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2011.

The September 2004 transaction resulted in a charge of approximately $1.0 million relating to the write-off of the remaining unamortized issuance charges for the $79.3 million of the 2007 5% convertibles notes, which were retired. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the total charges related to the write-off of the unamortized issuance charges for the February and September exchanges was approximately $3.5 million.

Note 3: For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company incurred restructuring charges. The net charge for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was $1.6 million, and principally relates to an implied interest cost relating to restructuring accrual. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded $1.7 million of net restructuring expense which includes an implied interest cost relating to the restructuring accrual offset by a credit for reversing a portion of the restructuring accrual related to the space that Vertex expects to occupy in the future. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded $1.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Restructuring and other expense recorded for referenced periods arises from an implied interest cost relating to the restructuring and other expense accrual. This expense has been estimated in accordance with FASB 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and is reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
2005 Third Quarter Results
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


September 30, December 31,
2005 2004

Assets

Cash, cash equivalents and available for
sale securities $399,165 $392,320
Other current assets 25,169 14,392
Property, plant and equipment, net 56,127 64,225
Restricted cash 46,607 49,847
Other noncurrent assets 23,507 24,669
Total assets $550,575 $545,453


Liabilities and Equity
Other current liabilities $49,975 $50,161
Accrued restructuring expense 39,324 55,843
Deferred revenue 33,417 66,086
Collaborator development loan (due 2008) 19,997 19,997
Other long term obligations --- 2,925
Convertible notes (due 2007) 42,102 82,552
Convertible notes (due 2011) 232,448 232,448
Other Stockholders` equity 1,084,765 821,608
Accumulated deficit (951,453) (786,167)
Total liabilities and equity $550,575 $545,453


Conference Call and Webcast: Third Quarter 2005 Financial Results: Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call today, October 26, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review financial results and recent developments. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International). Alternatively, Vertex is providing a podcast MP3 file available for download on the Vertex website, http://www.vrtx.com.

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing October 26, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. EDT running through 5:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 1170954. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex`s website until 5:00 p.m. ET on November 9, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Corporate Communications
and Financial Planning, [phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone], or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,
[phone], Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Saturday, 10-22-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[MrRipley]

[posting]18.326.931 von betterthantherest am 18.10.05 13:26:52[/posting](...)
Hier läuft das erprobe AIDS-Muster ab. In Spanien steht auf den Beipackzetteln der AIDS-Medikamente, dass man nicht weiß, ob die Symptome durch die Medikamente oder durch das Virus verursacht werden.
(...)

...nur ein erschütternder Auszug aus einem Interview mit Dr. Stefan Lanca aus dem Thread:

Thema: Interessantes zum Thema VOGELGRIPPE
Thread: Interessantes zum Thema VOGELGRIPPE

[ABV2003]

Sehr schön, Vertex läuft und läuft und läuft. Gestern an der Nasdaq mit +4,07% bei 25,57$ geschlossen. Wir werden noch im November die 30$ sehen. Eure Meinungen?

[blb]

Ich verkaufe kein Stück!

[blb]

AASLD Presentations Support the Initiation of a Broad Phase II Program with VX-950, an Investigational Oral HCV Protease Inhibitor
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2005 8:30 AM
- PR Newswire

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 11, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Clinical data being presented this week while attending the 56th American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Annual Meeting confirm that VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) , was well-tolerated and possessed potent antiviral activity in a 14-day study in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The rapid decline in plasma HCV-RNA levels observed in HCV patients taking VX-950, together with a viral kinetic analysis that projects the potential duration of treatment required to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR), support the evaluation of VX-950 in a novel, three-month combination treatment paradigm. Vertex also announced today that it has filed an investigational new drug application (IND) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950.

"The clinical data demonstrate a swift and dramatic decline in viral levels with VX-950, and provide insight into VX-950`s potential to transform future HCV treatment," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. "Our clinical development effort is gaining momentum, as indicated by our recent IND submission with the FDA to support the planned initiation before year-end of the first clinical study in what we expect will be a broad Phase II program."

Phase Ib Study Clinical Results: Major Findings

Five presentations taking place at the meeting provide a comprehensive analysis of the Phase Ib study of VX-950 given as monotherapy. Results being presented at the conference are from a dose-ranging Phase Ib study of VX-950 dosed in an oral suspension for 14 days in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Dr. Henk Reesink, Principal Investigator for the study, will present the major findings in an oral presentation at the Presidential Plenary Session and at a press conference on Monday, November 14. In the Phase Ib study, VX-950 in all dose groups exhibited substantial antiviral effects, with 26 of 28 patients receiving any dose of VX-950 achieving more than a 3-log reduction in plasma HCV-RNA within two days. After 14 days, patients in the best dose group (750 mg every 8 hours) achieved a mean reduction in HCV-RNA of 4.4 log10, a 25,000- fold reduction in viral levels. In the trial, VX-950 was well-tolerated. Overall in the Phase Ib study, adverse events observed in patients receiving VX-950 that were considered possibly related to the drug were mild, and generally similar in frequency to events in the placebo group. The most common adverse events reported in both placebo and VX-950 patients were headache, frequent urination, and gastrointestinal symptoms.(1)

In a separate analysis of the Phase Ib trial results to be presented in detail in a poster presentation on Tuesday, November 15, Vertex researchers analyzed the relationship between blood concentrations of VX-950 and antiviral effect over 14 days. A dose-response was established with higher ranges of VX-950 blood concentrations being associated with a better outcome relative to the responses established at lower blood concentrations of VX-950. The researchers found that the steep decline in plasma HCV-RNA seen in patients during the first two days was correlated closely with total blood concentrations during the first dosing interval, as measured by area under the curve (AUC). In addition, the achievement of a greater than 3.5 log10 reduction in plasma HCV-RNA at day 7 or greater than 4.5 log10 reduction at the end of the full 14 days of treatment was closely correlated with blood concentrations at "trough" (minimum concentration in blood immediately prior to receiving the next dose).

Further, these researchers analyzed the viral kinetics to estimate the treatment duration required to achieve viral eradication. In this analysis, researchers projected the continued slope of viral decline that could be expected with dosing beyond 14 days in the patients who achieved HCV-RNA levels below the limit of quantitation at the end of dosing in the Phase Ib study. The results of this simulation suggest that, with continued steep viral decline on treatment, it may be possible with approximately 12 weeks of treatment to reduce levels of HCV-RNA in patients to less than 10 viral copies (total body viral load). A total body viral load in this range is considered to be what may be required for potential host eradication of infection and achievement of SVR. Vertex is taking the encouraging results of this viral kinetic analysis into account in the design of planned Phase II clinical studies of up to 12 weeks duration.(2)

"The complete data set for the Phase Ib study suggests that VX-950 is well-tolerated and can substantially reduce virus in a 14-day study," said Henk W. Reesink, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. "The results of the blood-concentration versus antiviral effect analysis are encouraging because they indicate that optimal antiviral response could be maintained if certain trough concentrations are achieved. Moreover, the viral kinetic analysis supports the evaluation of VX-950, at doses that maintain the target trough concentration, in a novel treatment paradigm of 12 weeks duration."

Phase Ib Study: Viral Sequencing Results

In a further analysis planned for presentation on Monday, November 14, researchers used a novel sequencing approach to analyze the sequences of the HCV NS3 protease gene in samples isolated from patients prior to and following treatment in the Phase Ib study from all dose groups, including suboptimal dose groups. The relative frequencies of wild-type and variant virus, as well as the sensitivity of variant protease enzymes to inhibition by VX-950 in vitro, were assessed and correlated with the viral load response obtained during dosing with VX-950. Three categories of HCV-RNA response were identified: continued decline (decline in HCV-RNA from day 1 through day 14), viral rebound (increase in HCV-RNA between nadir and day 14), and plateau response (minimal change in HCV-RNA between nadir and day 14). The patients with a continued decline in HCV-RNA had the highest mean trough VX-950 concentration, while the patients with viral rebound had the lowest mean trough blood concentrations.

In the group of patients with continued viral decline on treatment, HCV- RNA levels at the end-of-dosing were below the limit of detection (less than 100 IU/mL) of the sequencing assay. At 7-10 days post-treatment, virus could again be isolated. In the post-treatment period, wild-type virus predominated, with some variants detected that displayed a minimally-reduced sensitivity to VX-950 in vitro. In the other two groups of patients, sequence changes associated with reduced sensitivity to VX-950 in vitro were detected at the end-of-dosing, including some variants with moderately- to highly- reduced sensitivity to VX-950. However, these sequence changes also appeared to result in reduced viral fitness. In particular, the frequency of the variant (A156V/T) with the highest level of reduced drug sensitivity diminished markedly between the end-of-dosing and post-treatment analysis, indicating significantly reduced in vivo fitness relative to wild-type virus. Published in vitro data indicate that the A156V/T variant also retains sensitivity to interferon.(3)

"This is the first study that has attempted to comprehensively characterize HCV protease variants that may emerge during treatment with a potent direct-acting antiviral compound. As expected, selection of certain variants was associated with suboptimal drug levels and a suboptimal initial decline of HCV-RNA concentrations that led to either viral rebound or a plateau in viral response," said Christoph Sarrazin, M.D., Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany, and Study Investigator. "It is encouraging that patients with the highest blood concentrations of VX-950 achieved continuous decline in viral load levels over the entire dosing period, suggesting that achieving sufficient trough concentrations could suppress the viral variants associated with viral rebound. Further, the sequencing results provide a strong rationale for the combination of VX-950 and pegylated interferon to achieve optimal response rates."

Additional Data Presentations

Two additional abstracts related to VX-950 will be presented at the conference. In one abstract, researchers showed that despite heterogeneity among viral sequences that could be isolated from patients prior to treatment, all isolates were sensitive to VX-950 in vitro. Minor viral variants that may have existed at a frequency of less than 2 percent would not have been detected with the approach utilized.(4) In another abstract, researchers found that patients receiving VX-950 in the Phase Ib study rapidly achieved substantial reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels after 14 days of treatment. In addition, changes in median neopterin levels correlated with decreases in HCV-RNA and ALT during administration of VX-950, suggesting that inhibition of HCV replication by VX-950 may decrease inflammation and tissue damage.(5)

Clinical and Regulatory Milestones

Vertex recently announced the initiation of a 14-day Phase Ib combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in Europe, using a new tablet formulation that is expected to achieve significantly higher blood concentrations compared to the oral suspension formulation used previously. Today, Vertex announced the filing of an IND to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950. Vertex also affirmed today that it remains on track to initiate by year-end a 28-day, Phase II combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person`s risk for developing long-term infection or chronic liver disease. It also increases a person`s risk of developing cirrhosis and of dying from a long-term infection.

About VX-950

VX-950 is an oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication. Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

The VX04-950-101 clinical study being reported at AASLD was a dose-range finding study that included three panels of eight healthy subjects each (Part A) and three panels of 12 patients with genotype-1 HCV (Part B). In Part A, subjects were dosed for five days at doses of 450 mg, 750 mg or 1250 mg every eight hours, or placebo. Data from Part A were reported in May 2005 at the Digestive Disease Week meeting. In Part B, patients were dosed for 14 days at doses of 450 mg or 750 mg every eight hours, or 1250 mg every 12 hours or placebo. The objectives of the study were to assess safety, tolerability and antiviral activity in patients with HCV.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Conference Call on November 11, 2005

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call on November 11, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. ET to review clinical results and recent developments. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International).

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing November 11, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. ET running through 5:00 p.m. ET on November 18, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 2361425. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex`s website until 5:00 p.m. ET on November 25, 2005.

For more information about investigators and data presentations, visit http://www.vrtx.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) VX-950 could be part of a novel treatment paradigm with the potential to transform future HCV treatment; (ii) Vertex plans to initiate a Phase II study before year-end, as the first of what could be a broad Phase II program; (iii) simulations of the projected slope of viral decline suggest a potential treatment regimen of approximately 12 weeks; and (iv) study data suggests that VX-950 is well-tolerated, that achieving sufficient trough blood-level concentrations could suppress the viral variants associated with viral rebound and that inhibition of HCV replication by VX-950 may decrease inflammation and tissue damage. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, or disagreements with regulatory authorities over trial design or other matters, that the scale and scope of future clinical and nonclinical studies may change and will be determined in significant part by data collected in ongoing and future trials, that further clinical studies of VX-950 may not reflect the results obtained in the early clinical and nonclinical studies which are the subject of this release, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

(1) Reesink et al, "Final results of a Phase Ib, Multiple-dose study of
VX-950, a hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor" American Association
for the Study of Liver Diseases, 56th Annual Meeting, Presentation
#95, November 11-15, 2005.

(2) Chu et al, "Pharmacokinetics of VX-950, and its effect on hepatitis C
viral dynamics," American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases,
56th Annual Meeting, Presentation #1260, November 11-15, 2005.

(3) C. Lin et al, "In vitro studies of cross-resistance mutations against
two hepatitis C virus serine protease inhibitors, VX-950 and BILN-
2061," Journal of Biological Chemistry, 208:44, November 2005.

(4) Kieffer et al, "Genetic heterogeneity in the HCV NS3 protease of
untreated genotype 1 patients has little effect on the sensitivity to
VX-950," American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 56th
Annual Meeting, Presentation #867, November 11 - 15, 2005.

(5) Gelderblom et al, "Decline in serum neopterin concentration correlates
with HCV-RNA decline during administration of VX 950, Hepatitis C
Virus protease inhibitor," American Association for the Study of Liver
Diseases, 56th Annual Meeting, Presentation #859, November 11 - 15,
2005.


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], Lora Pike,
Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media
Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Monday, 11-07-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Opa_Klaus]

Ist schön zu sehen, wie die Vertex langsam aber stetig steigt. Ich bleibe auf jeden Fall long in diesem Wert.

[charlie01]

Hat die Banc of America Sec. den Einstieg bei Vertex Ph.
verpasst oder warum gibt man ein KZ von 19$ ohne Begründung an ??

Andere Analysten:

Vertex Pharma. neues Kursziel
Quelle: Credit Suisse First Boston
Datum: 30.09.05


Rating-Update:

Die Analysten der Credit Suisse First Boston stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) unverändert mit "outperform" ein. Das Kursziel sei von 24 auf 30 USD erhöht worden.
Analyse-Datum: 30.09.2005


Update Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Outperform
Quelle: Bear Stearns
Datum: 12.10.05


Die Aktie des Unternehmens Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. wurde in einer Kurzanalyse vom Mittwoch, 12. Oktober 2005 von den Analysten der Bear Stearns von "Peer Perform" auf "Outperform" heraufgestuft. Das Kursziel für die Aktie liegt momentan bei 31 $.

Mein KZ 80-120$ (2-3 Jahre)

Gruß
charlie01

[betterthantherest]

Vertex Seen With `Aggressive` Timing For VX-950
Peter Kang, 11.21.05, 12:20 PM ET

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Banc of America Securities downgraded shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) to "sell" from "hold," citing valuation concerns and overly optimistic timeline expectations.

Vertex released positive clinical data for experimental hepatitis treatment VX-950 at an industry conference last week. The company said it filed an investigational new drug application to begin a broad Phase II study.

"We would be profit takers following the strong appreciation in Vertex since the Phase I data was first announced on May 9, 2005 (up 134% vs. Amex Biotech Index up 27%)," wrote research analyst David Witzke, in a client note. "We are concerned about the high expectations that are now embedded in the stock driven in part by what we believe are aggressive management timelines for VX-950."

The research analyst noted Vertex`s goal of filing for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in 2008 is "aggressive" and assumes additional safety trials will not be required. "However, we believe the FDA will be conservative with these agents and that it is quite possible that a 48-week Peg-IFN + Ribavirin (RBV) control arm would be necessary for approval," he said. "This could delay an FDA filing by up to a year."

Witzke said he believes a similar drug developed by Schering-Plough (nyse: SGP - news - people ) will be first to reach the market. "The big unmet need is the non-responder setting and being first to market could confer a substantial advantage for Schering," he said.

The analyst maintained a $19 target price on the stock. "While we believe VX-950 has substantial promise, it is still very early in development and much risk remains. The stock increased from $9 to $26 on Phase I data and if a safety issue arises, we believe the stock will quickly return to the sub-$10 range."

Vertex`s enterprise value, the analyst noted, is almost on par with Protein Design Labs (nasdaq: PDLI - news - people ) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: AMLN - news - people ), "companies with substantial revenue from products already on the market."

He added, "While both VX-950 and [experimental arthritis treatment] VX-702 are promising early stage clinical candidates, we believe there is better value to be found elsewhere in mid-cap biotech."

[B2L]

ich hatte die Mistteile mal bei 7,10

man sollte doch manchmal schlafen gehen ..........

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.938.958 von betterthantherest am 22.11.05 15:17:54[/posting]Ja ja, die Banc of America..... Schon schön, wie die reagieren, wenn man den Zug verpasst hat. Erst erzählen die "underperform" und jetzt stufen sie die Aktie sogar auf "sell". Also wenn die mit "underperform" die +174% in diesem Jahr meinen, dann möchte ich nur solche "Underperformer" in meinem Depot haben. Aber jetzt auch noch sell. Die wollen wohl den Kurs drücken, damit sie nachkaufen können. Über die Begründung lässt sich doch trefflich streiten: Vertex mehr als 6 fache Steigerung als ihr Biotech-Index. Die sollten sich doch auch mal anschauen, was für "Gurken" da teilweise drin sind. Mit Gurken meine ich nicht unbedingt schlechte Unternehmen, sondern vielmehr Unternehmen mit schlechten Kursphantasien! Vertex hat in diesem Jahr super performed, aber die Story ist noch lange nicht vorbei!!!
Ich bin mal gespannt, wie die reagieren, wenn der Kurs weiter steigt. Erklären die Vertex dann für vogelfrei?

Ich bin jedenfalls weiter optimistisch und glaube, dass die die 30$ noch im November knacken und dann ....

[blb]

Naja der Artikel von Bank of America zeigt nochmal schön die Risiken auf. Zum einen sind wir immer noch nicht in Phase II mit VX950, zum anderen besteht das Risiko, dass man erst als Nummer 2 auf den Markt kommt. Das sollte man schon im Hinterkopf behalten.

Wird VX950 nichts, ist VRTX natürlich viel zu teuer.

Grüße
blb

[charlie01]

[posting]18.947.326 von ABV2003 am 23.11.05 09:05:59[/posting]...ganz deiner Meinung!!

Ich habe Vertex seit Anfang 2000 im Depot.
Habe also Höhen und Tiefen mit Vertex erlebt.

Hoch: ca. 120 €
Tief: ca. 8 €

Wo sie bei 120€ standen haben mehrere "Analysten" Kurrsziele
von >200€ angegeben. Leider habe ich auf diese Stimmen gehört. Heute interessieren mich diese Kursziele nicht mehr.

Um so mehr freue ich mich natürlich über die Performance in diesem Jahr und glaube das wir weitere Kurssteigerungen sehen werden.

Das gilt natürlich nur unter der Vorraussetzung das VX-950
weiter gute Studien liefert. Das wir mit Vertex ein Investment mit hohem Risiko haben sollte dabei jedem bewusst sein. Aber die nächsten 2-3 Jahre werden es zeigen
wohin die Reise geht

charlie01

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.948.291 von blb am 23.11.05 10:18:37[/posting]Glaubst Du wirklich an ein Scheitern? Die sind gut im Zeitplan. Ich kenne z.Zt. kein Unternehmen, dass vergleichbare Studien vorlegen kann bzw. vorgelegt hat. Jetzt noch die enge Abstimmung mit der Zulassungsbehörde wegen der verkürzten Zulassung. Und dann noch dieses Jahr der Start der neuen Studie. Leute zieht euch warm an. Der Kurs wird so sehr losspurten, dass richtiger Fahrtwind aufkommt. Da können auch ein paar Trader auf Dauer nichts daran ändern. Wir werden den Kurs schon in Kürze bei 35$ wieder finden!!!


VX-950 Clinical Development Program

Phase Ib
In November 2005 Vertex reported final results for a Phase Ib monotherapy study with VX-950 (Press release)
In October 2005, Vertex announced the initiation of a 14-day Phase Ib combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in Europe.
Phase II
While attending the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Annual Meeting in November 2005, Vertex announced the filing of an investigational new drug application (IND) to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950.
Vertex also expects to initiate by year-end a 28-day, Phase II combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in the United States.

[blb]

Ich glaub natürlich nicht an ein Scheitern, sonst hätt ich schon verkauft. Wollte nur nochmal die Risiken erwähnen. VRTX ist aktuell über 2 Milliarden wert, bei Umsätzen um die 150 Millionen $ und fast ebenso hohem Verlust. Der Kursanstieg beruht v.a. auf VX950, also kann bei einem Scheitern das Ganze schnell wieder zusammenfallen.

Ich seh die 30$ als erste größere Zielmarke, darüber wirds so schnell nicht gehen, siehe auch den Langfristchart.

Grüße an alle!
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]18.964.587 von blb am 24.11.05 12:54:41[/posting]In den letzten Tagen ein paar Gewinnmitnahmen. Leider kein vorbörslicher Handel heute (?). Ich bin zwar kein Charttechniker, aber der Vertex-Chart sieht seit April ja super aus: ein ganz klarer Aufwärtskanal...

[blb]

@ABV2003: Der Auswärtstrend ist bis ca 23$ runter noch intakt, also alles im Lot. Langfristig wird dieser Anstieg aber nicht so fortzusetzen sein, ich rechne zumindest mit einer mehrmonatigen Seitwärtsphase. Da VRTX eine der besten Bioaktien dieses Jahr war, sind da sicher jede Menge Fonds drin, die Windowdressing betreiben müssen. Deshalb kann es durchaus sein, dass die Aktie anfang nächsten Jahres nachgibt. Alles natürlich Spekulation!



PS: Vorbörslicher Handel mit Realtimekursen und Orderbuch bekommst du unter: www.level2quotes.com

Grüße
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.051.901 von blb am 28.11.05 15:40:03[/posting]Danke, der Link ist wirklich klasse. Habe bisher immer unter FlashQuotes nachgesehen.

Wir sind einer Meinung, daß der Kurs so nicht weiterlaufen kann! Aber Windowdressing hin und her: Wenn es eine Seitwärtsbewegung gibt, kann es dem Kurs nur gut tun. Ich glaube nach wie vor, dass wir die 35$ recht schnell sehen werden, auch wenn 30$ eine "harte Nuss" sind und das Unternehmen schon recht hoch bewertet ist. Die Studie für VX950 startet noch dieses Jahr, also können wir in nicht allzu ferner Zukunft mit Ergebnissen rechnen (soweit ich das richtig verstanden habe soll es sich um eine 28-Tage-Studie handeln)

VX-950 Clinical Development Program

Phase Ib
In November 2005 Vertex reported final results for a Phase Ib monotherapy study with VX-950 (Press release)
In October 2005, Vertex announced the initiation of a 14-day Phase Ib combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in Europe.
Phase II
While attending the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Annual Meeting in November 2005, Vertex announced the filing of an investigational new drug application (IND) to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950.
Vertex also expects to initiate by year-end a 28-day, Phase II combination study of VX-950 and pegylated interferon in the United States.

Da werden anschließend wieder Ergebnisse veröffentlicht die den Kurs treiben werden. Ich gehe von einer erfolgreichen studie aus und bleibe am Ball!

[charlie01]

[posting]19.052.179 von ABV2003 am 28.11.05 15:57:26[/posting]Wie hoch ist denn die Bewertung?

Spielt denn die Bewertung momentan eine grosse Rolle?

Die Boerse spekuliert doch momentan "nur" auf den Erfolg von VX 950!!

Da ist doch heute die Bewertung von Vertex reine Nebensache und der Kurs wird maschieren solange wir keine negativen News bekommen.

Ich glaube wir werden bei guter Nachrichtenlage Kurse bei 80-120$ (1-3 Jahre) sehen.

Ich will ja schließlich mit Vertex wieder in den grünen Bereich!!

charlie01

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.052.446 von charlie01 am 28.11.05 16:18:40[/posting]Siehe das Posting von blb vom 24.11.2005: Vertex ist momentan über 2 Milliarden wert!!!

Die Bewertung spielt insofern eine Rolle, als dass sie nicht absolut wahnwitzig ist. Bei 80-120$ glaube ich, haben wir diese Grenze dann doch überschritten. VX950 hat zwar einen enormen Markt, aber da muss dann doch noch mehr kommen.

[blb]

Weiterer Abbau von Wandelschuldverschreibungen auf Kosten einer Verwässerung. Mittlerweile haben wir 106 Millionen Aktien ausstehen. Ich versteh ehrlich gesagt nicht, warum sie das jetzt machen. Bis 2011 ist doch noch genügend Zeit...

Damit ist VRTX mittlerweile schon 2,6 Milliarden schwer...

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Agreements to Exchange Common Stock for $95.0 Million of its Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2005 6:17 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 28, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) announced today that five holders of its 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 have agreed to exchange approximately $95.0 million in aggregate principal amount of those notes held by them for approximately 6.7 million shares of the Company`s common stock, which is approximately 390,000 shares more than the number of shares into which the bonds were convertible under their original terms. The additional shares largely relate to unpaid and accrued interest through February 2007, when the notes would have been callable by the Company.

The Company anticipates that the exchanges will be completed by the close of business on November 29, 2005. Upon completion of the exchanges, the aggregate principal amount of the Company`s 5.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 will be reduced to approximately $137.5 million. Upon issuance of the common stock in exchange for the notes, the Company will have approximately 106 million shares of common stock outstanding.

The Company intends to file a registration statement in December 2005 covering the resale of approximately 5.1 million shares of the common stock issued in the exchanges.

The Company expects to incur a non-cash charge of approximately $9.8 million as a result of the exchanges. This charge is related to the incremental shares to be issued in the transaction over the number that would have been issued upon conversion of the notes under their original terms, and will be reported in the Company`s year-end 2005 financial results.

This announcement is neither an offer to exchange nor a solicitation of an offer to exchange any of these securities. The exchanges are exempt from registration under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex expects to close the transactions on November 29, 2005; (ii) Vertex estimates that it will incur a non-cash charge of approximately $9.8 million in connection with the note exchanges described above; and (iii) Vertex intends to file a registration statement in December 2005 covering the resale of the common stock. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include the risk and uncertainty that our estimate of the amount of the charge will prove to be inaccurate, and other risks and uncertainties listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone];
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]; or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Thursday, 11-24-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.092.028 von blb am 29.11.05 16:47:27[/posting]Hi blb,

Boger ist doch absolut von VX950 überzeugt. Das verkürzte Zulassungsverfahren steht an. Ich gehe so einen Schritt nur dann, wenn ich 2011 mehr berappen muß oder jemanden an mich binden will. Man müsste mehr über diesen Deal erfahren, der aber z.Zt. ins Bild passt. Februar wird als Zeitpunkt genannt, da ist der 28-Tage-Test gelaufen. Könnte doch damit zusammenhängen, oder?

[blb]

Naja es gibt halt immer die 2 Seiten. Einerseits sieht jetzt dann die Bilanz besser aus und Zinszahlungen fallen weg. Andererseits bedeuten die neuen Aktien natürlich eine automatisch ansteigende Marktkapitalisierung bei gleichbleibendem Kurs.

Ich hätte einfach den Rest von der 2007er getilgt und die 2011er liegengelassen. Wenn VX950 2009 auf den Markt kommt, könnten sie die Wandelschuldverschreibung dann problemlos zurückkaufen.

Kann natürlich sein, dass sie sich bei dem Zeitplan selbst nicht mehr so sicher sind. Langfristig seh ich eine Verwässerung immer gravierender als noch einige Jahre Zinsen zu zahlen, natürlich aus Sicht von uns Anlegern...

Gibt aber z.B. auch den Typen von MotleyFool, der das Ganze positiv sieht. Ist Geschmackssache. Bin aber davon überzeugt, dass sie die restliche 2007er auch noch umwandeln werden, das sind dann nochmals einige Aktien. Somit wird das Upsidepotenzial doch schon ein bißchen begrenzt.

Schönen Abend!
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.094.601 von blb am 29.11.05 19:12:40[/posting]Melde mich erst heute wieder. Hatte gestern nach meinem letzten Posting entschieden Feierabend zu machen.

Ich glaube auch dass die 2007 noch abgelöst wird, aber ich glaube auch dass VX950 schon vor 2009 marktreif ist. Wie schnell das sein wird, werden wir wohl nach dem nächsten Test erfahren.

[ABV2003]

05.12.2005 14:32
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Start of Phase II Clinical Development for Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor VX-950

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nachrichten) announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial for VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor for the treatment of HCV infection. The 28-day study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of VX-950 when combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin are two approved treatments for HCV infection. Twelve treatment-naive subjects will be enrolled in the study at two centers in the United States. This is the first clinical study of VX-950 to be initiated under an open investigational new drug (IND) application with the United States Food and Drug Administration, and marks the beginning of a broad Phase II clinical development program planned for VX-950 that will evaluate the compound in multiple clinical studies in 2006, including a three-month study in more than 200 treatment-naive patients.

"This first Phase II study for VX-950 will enable Vertex to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of VX-950 over 28 days when combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin," said John Alam, M.D., Senior Vice President of Drug Evaluation and Approval at Vertex. "This initial Phase II trial is anticipated to support the evaluation of VX-950 in a key three-month Phase II study in more than 200 HCV patients that we expect to initiate in early 2006."

Phase II Development Plans

The objectives of the 28-day Phase II study announced today are to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours with standard doses of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Vertex expects to obtain 28-day results from this initial Phase II study in the first quarter of 2006. Following completion of 28 days of treatment, patients will receive the standard of care. In early 2006, Vertex expects to initiate a three-month Phase II clinical study in more than 200 treatment-naive subjects. A major objective of this three-month study, in addition to an evaluation of safety, will be to measure HCV RNA at the end of treatment and post-treatment as a measure for sustained viral response, potentially enabling a decision to move to Phase III clinical development of VX-950. Vertex also plans to initiate multiple other clinical studies throughout 2006.

Vertex recently completed a healthy volunteer study with the new VX-950 tablet formulation. Results from this study support the use of the VX-950 tablet formulation in Phase II studies.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person`s risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death.

About VX-950

VX-950 is an oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication. In a 14-day, Phase Ib study concluded earlier in 2005, VX-950, administered as a single agent, produced a rapid and dramatic reduction in HCV RNA in HCV patients. In the Phase Ib study, 26 of 28 patients receiving any dose of VX-950 achieved more than a 3-log10 reduction in plasma HCV RNA within two days of treatment. After 14 days, patients in the best dose group (750 mg every 8 hours) achieved a mean reduction in HCV RNA of 4.4-log10, a 25,000-fold reduction in viral levels. Overall in the Phase Ib study, adverse events observed in patients receiving VX-950 that were considered possibly related to the drug were mild, and generally similar in frequency to events in the placebo group. The most common adverse events reported in both placebo and VX-950 patients were headache, frequent urination and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) results from an initial Phase II study will be available in the first quarter of 2006; (ii) a three-month Phase II study in more than 200 patients will be initiated in early 2006, and will potentially enable a decision to move into phase III evaluation of VX-950; and (iii) VX-950 will be evaluated in multiple additional clinical studies in 2006. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, or disagreements with regulatory authorities over trial design or other matters, that the scale and scope of future clinical and nonclinical studies may change and will be determined in significant part by data collected in ongoing and future trials, that further clinical studies of VX-950 may not reflect the results obtained in early clinical and nonclinical studies, that ongoing nonclinical studies, including toxicology studies, will yield currently unanticipated negative outcomes, that results from the Company`s clinical trials commenced during 2006 will be insufficient to support a Phase III program without additional trials and consequent delay in the timetable for potential approval, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex Contacts: Lynne Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.094.601 von blb am 29.11.05 19:12:40[/posting]Hi blb,

mir kommt es so vor, als ob der Rückkauf der Anleihe aus rein steuerlichen Gründen durchgeführt wurde. Siehe auch dazu heutige Nachricht:


07.12.2005 14:38
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces that VX-680 Demonstrates Effect on Clinically Relevant Biomarker in Phase I Cancer Study

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nachrichten) today announced clinical and research progress in its worldwide collaboration with Merck&Co., Inc. to develop Aurora kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. In a Phase I clinical study in patients with solid tumor cancers, dosing with VX-680 (MK-0457) demonstrated activity on a clinically relevant biomarker, triggering achievement of a milestone under the contract. VX-680 is a small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases and the lead development compound in the collaboration. In addition, Merck has selected a follow-on compound for development from a joint Aurora kinase research program that is part of the collaboration.

In conjunction with this progress, Vertex will receive two milestone payments from Merck totaling $19.5 million. Vertex expects to recognize revenue of approximately $7.0 million of the $19.5 million in milestone payments in the fourth quarter of 2005, and the balance in 2006.

"We are pleased with our progress in the research and development of Aurora kinase inhibitors, which may represent an exciting new approach to the treatment of cancer," said Stephen H. Friend, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Advanced Technology&Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories. "We initiated a number of clinical trials for VX-680 in 2005, and the biomarker activity observed in the Phase I trial in solid tumors is encouraging. We look forward to continued progress in the coming year`s program as we look to further define the clinical activity of VX-680 in several potential oncology indications."

"The rapid achievement of these milestones is an important part of our goals for the VX-680 program and in realizing our 2005 corporate objectives," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "Working together with Merck, we have successfully executed on all key clinical and research activities in the program this year. The progress announced today affirms our view that VX-680 and Aurora kinase inhibitors have the potential to play an important role in cancer therapy."

VX-680 Clinical Studies

Merck is presently conducting three clinical studies of VX-680 in patients with hematologic cancers, recurrent or non-responsive solid tumors, or cancers for which standard therapy does not currently exist. In these studies, the safety and tolerability of VX-680 are being evaluated when administered as either a 24-hour continuous infusion or as a 5-day continuous infusion. Presentation of clinical data from these studies at one or more scientific conferences is anticipated in 2006.

Background: Aurora Kinases and the VX-680 Collaboration

Cancer cells typically contain mutations in a number of genes, which ultimately result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor metastasis. As enzymes specific for and essential to cell growth and division, Aurora kinases hold the potential to be important control points for slowing the growth and spread of tumors. Aurora kinases (A, B and C) comprise a family of serine- threonine kinases that are believed to play multiple roles in the development and progression of cancer by acting as regulators of cell proliferation, by transforming normal cells into cancer cells and by down-regulating p53, one of the body`s natural tumor suppressors. Aurora kinases are known to be over- expressed in many tumor types, including colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers as well as in lymphoma and leukemias. Amplification of Aurora genes is associated with progression of colorectal cancer and poor prognosis in certain types of breast cancer.

In June 2004, Vertex entered into a global collaboration with Merck to develop and commercialize VX-680. Along with clinical development, Vertex and Merck are conducting a joint research program to characterize VX-680`s activity across a broad range of cancer types and have identified an additional drug candidate targeting the Aurora kinases.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex expects to receive $19.5 million in milestone payments from Merck and expects to recognize revenue of approximately $7.0 million of the $19.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, and the balance in 2006; (ii) the progress announced today affirms the view that VX-680 and Aurora kinase inhibitors have the potential to play an important role in cancer therapy; and (iii) presentation of clinical data from the Phase I studies is anticipated in 2006. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of studies to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include the risk that non-clinical or early clinical results from studies of compounds targeting Aurora kinases may not be predictive of human clinical results, or later stage clinical results, in the treatment of cancer, that development of VX-680 may not be pursued due to clinical, technical or financial issues, that the rate of patient enrollment may limit expected study timelines and follow-on studies, that Merck may choose not to develop VX-680 or any other Aurora kinase inhibitor discovered by Vertex for commercial or scientific reasons, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]

[blb]

@ABV2003: Die Anleihe wurde ja nicht zurückgekauft sondern in Aktien gewandelt. Diese Verwässerung stört mich, ansonsten ist das natürlich o.k.!

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.190.445 von blb am 07.12.05 18:10:12[/posting]@blb: Das ist richtig, aber in der Buchhaltung wird das als Rückkauf, also Ausgabenposten gebucht - die Ausgaben der neuen Aktien zählt als Kapitalerhöhung und ist somit kostenneutral.

[charlie01]

07.12.2005 14:38
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces that VX-680 Demonstrates Effect on Clinically Relevant Biomarker in Phase I Cancer Study

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nachrichten) today announced clinical and research progress in its worldwide collaboration with Merck&Co., Inc. to develop Aurora kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. In a Phase I clinical study in patients with solid tumor cancers, dosing with VX-680 (MK-0457) demonstrated activity on a clinically relevant biomarker, triggering achievement of a milestone under the contract. VX-680 is a small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases and the lead development compound in the collaboration. In addition, Merck has selected a follow-on compound for development from a joint Aurora kinase research program that is part of the collaboration.

In conjunction with this progress, Vertex will receive two milestone payments from Merck totaling $19.5 million. Vertex expects to recognize revenue of approximately $7.0 million of the $19.5 million in milestone payments in the fourth quarter of 2005, and the balance in 2006.

"We are pleased with our progress in the research and development of Aurora kinase inhibitors, which may represent an exciting new approach to the treatment of cancer," said Stephen H. Friend, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Advanced Technology&Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories. "We initiated a number of clinical trials for VX-680 in 2005, and the biomarker activity observed in the Phase I trial in solid tumors is encouraging. We look forward to continued progress in the coming year`s program as we look to further define the clinical activity of VX-680 in several potential oncology indications."

"The rapid achievement of these milestones is an important part of our goals for the VX-680 program and in realizing our 2005 corporate objectives," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "Working together with Merck, we have successfully executed on all key clinical and research activities in the program this year. The progress announced today affirms our view that VX-680 and Aurora kinase inhibitors have the potential to play an important role in cancer therapy."

VX-680 Clinical Studies

Merck is presently conducting three clinical studies of VX-680 in patients with hematologic cancers, recurrent or non-responsive solid tumors, or cancers for which standard therapy does not currently exist. In these studies, the safety and tolerability of VX-680 are being evaluated when administered as either a 24-hour continuous infusion or as a 5-day continuous infusion. Presentation of clinical data from these studies at one or more scientific conferences is anticipated in 2006.

Background: Aurora Kinases and the VX-680 Collaboration

Cancer cells typically contain mutations in a number of genes, which ultimately result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor metastasis. As enzymes specific for and essential to cell growth and division, Aurora kinases hold the potential to be important control points for slowing the growth and spread of tumors. Aurora kinases (A, B and C) comprise a family of serine- threonine kinases that are believed to play multiple roles in the development and progression of cancer by acting as regulators of cell proliferation, by transforming normal cells into cancer cells and by down-regulating p53, one of the body`s natural tumor suppressors. Aurora kinases are known to be over- expressed in many tumor types, including colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers as well as in lymphoma and leukemias. Amplification of Aurora genes is associated with progression of colorectal cancer and poor prognosis in certain types of breast cancer.

In June 2004, Vertex entered into a global collaboration with Merck to develop and commercialize VX-680. Along with clinical development, Vertex and Merck are conducting a joint research program to characterize VX-680`s activity across a broad range of cancer types and have identified an additional drug candidate targeting the Aurora kinases.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex expects to receive $19.5 million in milestone payments from Merck and expects to recognize revenue of approximately $7.0 million of the $19.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, and the balance in 2006; (ii) the progress announced today affirms the view that VX-680 and Aurora kinase inhibitors have the potential to play an important role in cancer therapy; and (iii) presentation of clinical data from the Phase I studies is anticipated in 2006. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of studies to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include the risk that non-clinical or early clinical results from studies of compounds targeting Aurora kinases may not be predictive of human clinical results, or later stage clinical results, in the treatment of cancer, that development of VX-680 may not be pursued due to clinical, technical or financial issues, that the rate of patient enrollment may limit expected study timelines and follow-on studies, that Merck may choose not to develop VX-680 or any other Aurora kinase inhibitor discovered by Vertex for commercial or scientific reasons, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]

[blb]

FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Vertex`s Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor VX-950
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2005 8:09 AM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec 08, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor for the treatment of HCV infection. The FDA granted Fast Track designation to VX-950 for the following reasons:

* Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a serious and life-threatening
disease.
* VX-950 has the potential to shorten the duration of therapy compared to
the standard of care, which may result in improved sustained virologic


response rates and a more favorable adverse event profile. Vertex is currently conducting a clinical development program to assess whether VX-950 will address these unmet medical needs in HCV therapy.

Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, Fast Track designation indicates that the FDA will facilitate the development and may expedite the review of a drug if it is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need for such a condition.

VX-950 Clinical Status

Earlier in 2005, Vertex concluded a 14-day, Phase Ib study of VX-950 that showed a rapid and dramatic reduction in HCV RNA in HCV patients when VX-950 was administered as a single agent. Overall in the Phase Ib study, adverse events observed in patients receiving VX-950 that were considered possibly related to the drug were mild, and generally similar in frequency to events in the placebo group. The most common adverse events reported in both placebo and VX-950 patients were headache, frequent urination and gastrointestinal symptoms. Based on these encouraging Phase Ib clinical results, Vertex recently initiated two additional clinical studies with VX-950. In October 2005, Vertex initiated in Europe a 20-patient Phase Ib study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon. In December 2005, Vertex initiated in the United States the first Phase II study of VX-950, which will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics of VX-950 when dosed with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Vertex expects to obtain results from both these Phase Ib and Phase II studies of VX-950 in early 2006. Vertex also expects to initiate multiple additional Phase II studies in the United States in 2006, including a three-month study in more than 200 treatment-naive patients.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person`s risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) VX-950 may shorten the duration of HCV therapy compared to the standard of care; (ii) VX-950 may improve sustained virologic response rates in HCV patients; (iii) VX-950 may have a more favorable side effect profile than the current standard of care therapy; (iv) VX-950 will address unmet medical needs in HCV therapy; (v) Vertex will advance VX-950 in clinical development; and (vi) Vertex will initiate multiple Phase II clinical studies of VX-950 in 2006, including a three-month study in more than 200 treatment- naive patients. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, or negotiations with regulatory authorities over trial design or other matters, that the scale and scope of future clinical and nonclinical studies may change and will be determined in significant part by data collected in ongoing and future trials, that further clinical studies of VX-950 may not reflect the results obtained in early clinical and nonclinical studies, that ongoing nonclinical studies, including toxicology studies, will yield currently unanticipated negative outcomes, that results from the Company`s clinical trials commenced during 2006 will be insufficient to support a Phase III program without additional trials and consequent delay in the timetable for potential approval, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone]

Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Specialist,
Media Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Sunday, 12-04-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[betterthantherest]

Ich bin der festen Überzeugung, Geduld wird bei Vertex noch reichlich belohnt.

[zinker06]

Alles eine Frage des Timings...
Ich hatte das Papier mal 2000 damals kratzte das Ding an der 100 € Marke, was dann kam weiß wohl jeder hier.
War halt alles eine Riesenbubble damals, ich denke bis heute haben Sie bei Vertex nicht nachhaltig bewiesen das Sie mit Ihren Produkten Geld verdienen können, wie viele andere Biotechler auch, ist halt ne schwierige Branche...

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.244.542 von zinker06 am 11.12.05 17:24:05[/posting]Was verstehst Du unter nachhaltig? Vertex hat Produkte auf dem Markt. Das ist doch Beweis genug. Dass die nicht gleich eine Größe wie die Pharmariesen haben, ist auch klar. Aber wenn Du die Pipeline kennst, weisst Du auch, was da noch in der Mache ist. Und jetzt das verkürzte Zulassungsverfahren.

Spricht aus Deinem Posting wirklicher begründeter Zweifel, oder ist es nur die Verzweiflung, weil Du viel zu hoch eingestiegen bist? Hört sich eher nach der 2. Möglichkeit an. Wenn nicht bin ich mal auf Deine Begründungen gespannt.

Viele Grüße

ABV2003

[charlie01]

zinker06 ist wohl verstummt.....

stattdessen weitere kooperation von Vertex mit Glaxo:

Glaxo, Vertex to Develop Painkiller
Tuesday December 13, 9:09 am ET
GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharma Enter Agreement to Develop Novel Painkiller

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that they entered a new agreement to develop a novel pain killer that targets specific signals along nerve cells.

GlaxoSmithKline will pay Vertex $20 million upfront for global rights to develop and commercialize VX-409 and related compounds, with additional milestone payments worth up to $385 million. VX-409 is a new class of agents called subtype selective sodium channel modulators, which target specific pain signals in nerve cells.

Vertex also will receive royalties on sales of products developed from the compound.

GlaxoSmithKline and Vertex have already successfully partnered on the development of two marketed HIV treatments, Lexiva and Agenerase.

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.274.278 von charlie01 am 13.12.05 15:43:59[/posting]Die scheffeln im Moment richtig Geld!!! Das kann dem Kurs nur gut tun.

[charlie01]

[posting]19.275.423 von ABV2003 am 13.12.05 16:55:47[/posting]Bin mal gespannt wie die Analysten der Banc of America reagieren und andere Analysten.

Wenn der Kurs in 2006 so gut läuft wie in 2005 werden sich hier noch einige die Augen reiben.

Das Risiko bei Vertex Pharmaceuticals sollte man bei einem Investment in diese Aktie jedoch nicht vergessen und man sollte Zeit mibringen.

Fazit: So wie ich den Markt kenne, werden wir bei guten News noch einiges Kurspotenzial nach oben haben, unabhängig der Bewertung.

[blb]

Finde das schon bemerkenswert, was für einen bislang eher vernachlässigbaren Kandidaten in der Pipeline von Vertex hingeblättert wird. Ist ja erst in Phase I! Da können wir uns über die anderen erst richtig freuen...

Ich bleib dabei, Kursziel 30$, dann dürften wir erstmal konsolidieren. 200% in 2005 sind ja wirklich nicht übel!

Grüße
blb

[charlie01]

Wie erwartet: Goldman Sachs stuft Vertex herauf

Auch wenn ich von einigen Analysten nichts halte sind doch die Analysten seit 2005 sehr optimistisch

...geht mal auf folgenden Link http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ud?s=VRTX

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.287.822 von charlie01 am 14.12.05 16:08:13[/posting]Also mir fällt für solche Typen wirklich schon kein passendes Schimpfwort mehr ein:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: in-line (Goldman Sachs)

Rating-Update:

Die Analysten von Goldman Sachs stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) von "underperform" auf "in-line" herauf.
Analyse-Datum: 14.12.2005


... und irgendwann kommen die und behaupten: "Ich habe es ja schon immer gewußt!"

[blb]

GSK and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announce Presentation of Data Supporting Development of Investigational HIV Protease Inhibitor Brecanavir
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2005 2:15 PM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec 16, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) presented positive results today from a study evaluating the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of the investigational HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI), brecanavir* (formerly known as GW640385 or VX-385)(1). These data were presented at the 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) held in Washington DC. Interim findings following 24 weeks of dosing demonstrated potent antiviral activity for brecanavir in both PI-sensitive and PI-resistant HIV-infected adults.

"These results support the ongoing development program for brecanavir, which is anticipated to enter Phase III development in 2006," said Lynn Marks, MD, Senior Vice President of the Infectious Disease Medicines Development Centre at GSK. "If approved, brecanavir may be useful in treating patients infected with strains of HIV that have become resistant to multiple protease inhibitors, and its clinical advancement underscores GSK`s commitment to developing new anti-HIV drugs."

Clinical Data on Brecanavir

Brecanavir is an HIV protease inhibitor in Phase IIb clinical development. Brecanavir has received fast track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is being developed by GSK as part of a collaboration with Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Data presented were from a planned, 24-week analysis of an open-label study (HPR10006) of 48 weeks` duration evaluating the safety, tolerability, antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics of ritonavir-boosted brecanavir. Thirty-one HIV-1 infected adults received 300mg of brecanavir twice-daily boosted with 100mg of ritonavir in combination with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors based on patient medical history and viral genotype.

Out of 31 patients, 81 percent had plasma HIV-1 RNA below the level of detection of standard assays (<400 copies/mL of blood) at Week 24 (based on an intent-to-treat, missing or discontinuation equals failure analysis), and 77 percent had viral load below the level of detection of ultrasensitive assays (<50 copies/mL). Patients with PI-sensitive and highly PI-resistant virus had similar response rates. Improvements in immunologic status were observed, with a median increase in CD4+ cell count of 84 cells/mm3.

"These early data are encouraging and support the further development of brecanavir in clinical trials in both antiretroviral treatment-naïve and experienced patients," commented lead investigator Douglas Ward, MD, FACP of the Dupont Circle Physicians Group. "Because many HIV-infected patients undergoing treatment develop viral resistance to those medicines already available, a critical need for new antiretrovirals remains."

A safety assessment showed that brecanavir was well-tolerated with few Grade 2-4 drug-related adverse events and no serious adverse events. Most adverse events were reported as mild and did not require treatment modification or discontinuation. Clinically relevant changes in laboratory assessments were also infrequent.

About HIV Protease

Once inside a human immune cell, HIV uses enzymes within that cell to make copies of itself. Protease is one such enzyme involved in HIV replication. HIV protease inhibitors block the HIV protease enzyme, yielding copies of HIV that cannot infect new cells.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Vertex Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including that (i) it is anticipated brecanavir will enter Phase III development in 2006; and (ii) brecanavir may be useful in treating patients infected with resistant HIV strains. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of studies to vary materially, including those risks and uncertainties listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning,
[phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]


(1) D. Ward, et al. Preliminary Antiviral Activity and Safety of 640385/Ritonavir in HIV-infected Patients (Study HPR10006); an 8-Week Interim Analysis. 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Washington DC, Dec 2005.

*The generic name is USAN approved only.

SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Corporate Communications and Financial Planning, [phone],
or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora
Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Specialist,
Media Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Monday, 12-12-2005 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2005 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.320.181 von blb am 16.12.05 22:42:18[/posting]Da kann einem ja schon Angst und Bange werden: Eine gute Nachricht nach der anderen. Die 30$ halten den Kurs nicht lange auf, wenn das so weiter geht.

[ABV2003]

Los Leute,

ich möchte von euch Kursziele für 2006 hören/lesen. Die Performance für 2005 war ja ganz ok. 2006?
Was glaubt ihr? Mit begründung wäre auch ganz nett.
Ich verabscheu mich in den Weihnachtstrubel und komme am 27.12. wieder zurück.

So long

[ThorVestor]

66,00€!

Weil ich dann wieder bei +-0 bin!

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.383.051 von ThorVestor am 22.12.05 16:57:31[/posting]Das wäre natürlich super. Ich glaube aber, dass wir nächstes Jahr bei ca. 45$ enden werden. Wobei ... dem Markt ist alles zuzutrauen. Ich war dieses Jahr von so einem rasanten Kursanstieg doch relativ überrascht. Gegen 66 € hätte ich natürlich auch nichts. Ich drücke uns allen die Daumen.

[ABV2003]

January 9: Vertex will present at the 24th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference @ 8:00am PT.

[[KERN]Codex]

Die 66€ werden schon noch wieder kommen

[SethK]

Die 66€ wären schön, kann ich mir aber beim besten Willen nicht vorstellen. Ich hatte sie damals bei 100,70€ gekauft und werde sie so lange behalten bis sie wieder soviel werd sind oder halt gar nichts mehr

[Fliese79]

Hey...alles klar da draussen?

Habe mir auch Vertex für zu viel Geld ins Depot gelegt...shit!

Wann wollen die die News zu VX 850 (?) rausbringen? Da hängt doch alles dran..oder? Wenn das Mittel gut gegen Aids (Krebs) ist haben wir bald wesentlich höhere Kurse...


Was ist bei schlechten News von Vertex? Direkt verkaufen? Was meint ihr? Stop Loss gesetzt?

Guten Rutsch und ein frohes neues Börsenjahr euch allen! 2005 lief bei mir sehr gut! Ole!

[blb]

Vorbörslich haben wir die 30$ geknackt und somit mein Kursziel erreicht. Bin nun gespannt wie es weitergeht, alles hängt vorerst an den Phase II Ergebnissen in ein paar Wochen.

Grüße
blb

[Lea_00]

also ich bin sehr optimitisch das es erstmal so weitergeht

hätte gedacht dass wir um die 30 $ kämpfen müssen aber ging ja schnell, also die stopps nachziehen und ab gehts

[[KERN]Codex]

[ABV2003]

Jetzt sind die $30 nachhaltig geknackt! Auf zu neuen Höhen. Hoffentlich erfüllen sich die Erwartungen an die Testergebnisse. Ich werde jedenfalls vor Veröffentlichung der Ergebnisse den Titel absichern!

[charlie01]

[posting]19.613.362 von ABV2003 am 09.01.06 08:58:27[/posting]Wann werden die Testergebnisse denn veröffentlicht???

Wo setzt du den SL-Kurs?

und dann auf zu neuen Kurszielen.............

[fasel]

09.01.2006 13:14
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Key Business Objectives for 2006 at 24th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nachrichten) will today announce its key business objectives for 2006 at the 24th Annual JPMorgan (Nachrichten/Aktienkurs) Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. The update will be presented by Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex`s website, http://www.vrtx.com/, at 11:00 a.m. EST, January 9, 2006. An archived webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex`s website through January 23, 2006.

"In 2005, Vertex achieved all of its clinical, research and business objectives, which created significant value for shareholders," stated Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "Most notably, in 2005 we presented the first clinical results for our HCV protease inhibitor VX-950, demonstrating unprecedented antiviral activity. We announced today that we have supported VX-950`s early promise with new data that further demonstrate that VX-950 has the potential to transform the future treatment of HCV. We are now prepared to begin clinical trials that may establish the ability of VX-950 to achieve sustained viral responses in HCV patients in as little as three months of treatment."

"In addition to VX-950, we have a broad pipeline of potentially breakthrough drug candidates in development, including compounds targeting rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cancer, pain and HIV," continued Dr. Boger. "In 2006, we expect to gain important clinical data that could define the medical and commercial opportunities for these product candidates, building further value in our pipeline."

"Vertex is focused on the clinical advancement of our proprietary product pipeline. Our business model is designed to enable us to achieve our objective of commercializing Vertex-discovered drug candidates both independently and in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies," continued Dr. Boger. "If we look ahead to the end of the year, we envision that VX-950 will be on a registration track with a timetable to commercialization in the U.S. and Europe; that we will have a robust and more advanced pipeline of drug candidates with breakthrough potential; and that our financial profile will continue to provide the foundation for us to invest in the clinical development of breakthrough products."

2006 Clinical and Corporate Objectives Clinical Objectives -- Continue to advance proprietary Vertex compounds: -- VX-950: In a separate press release, Vertex today announced the preliminary results from a Phase Ib clinical study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN). In this study, patients receiving a combination of VX-950 dosed with peg-IFN achieved a median 5.5 log10 reduction in HCV RNA at 14 days. In addition, six of eight patients receiving VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN achieved HCV RNA below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL, Roche Taqman(R)) after 14 days of dosing, with four of eight patients achieving HCV RNA levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL). -- In the first quarter of 2006, Vertex expects to report top-line data from a 12-patient, 28-day Phase II clinical study of VX-950 combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Vertex also plans to evaluate VX-950 in a three-month, Phase II study in more than 200 HCV patients that will begin in early 2006. Positive results from the three-month Phase II study could support the initiation of Phase III registration studies for VX-950 in 2007. Vertex plans to initiate additional clinical studies of VX-950 throughout 2006, including a Phase II study in patients who have failed prior therapy. -- VX-702: Vertex expects to report top-line data in the second quarter of 2006 from a 315-patient, Phase II clinical study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with VX-702. Vertex announced today that approximately 240 patients in this study have thus far completed 12 weeks of treatment. Vertex expects to complete all dosing in this study in the first quarter. The primary endpoint of the study is to measure the reduction in clinical signs and symptoms of RA in patients after 12 weeks of treatment using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) criteria for defining clinical improvement in RA patients. In the second half of 2006, Vertex plans to initiate a three-month, Phase II study of VX-702 in combination with methotrexate in RA. -- Cystic Fibrosis (CF): The Company expects to begin clinical studies of a novel, small molecule compound for CF in 2006. -- Advance collaborator-driven compounds: -- Brecanavir (VX-385): In 2006, Vertex expects GlaxoSmithKline to report data from a Phase IIb study of the HIV protease inhibitor brecanavir and also to initiate Phase III clinical development of the drug. -- VX-680: Vertex expects Merck to present Phase I clinical data for the Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680 at one or more scientific conferences in 2006 and also to initiate Phase II clinical development. Corporate and Financial Objectives -- Maintain strong revenue stream and capital structure to support investment in proprietary products -- Sign new collaborations, focused on development-stage and other assets -- Continue to generate strong HIV product royalties Review of 2005 Corporate and Clinical Achievements Advanced Clinical Program for VX-950 -- In 2005, Vertex reported unprecedented antiviral data for its HCV protease inhibitor, VX-950. Vertex presented the Phase Ib results at the Digestive Disease Week conference in May. In the study, patients treated with 750 mg of VX-950 every eight hours achieved a median reduction of HCV RNA of 4.4 log10, at the end of 14 days of treatment. In October, Vertex also began a 14-day Phase Ib study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon, the preliminary results of which were announced today. In December, Vertex initiated a 28-day Phase II study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, and today announced that it has completed enrollment in that study. In December, VX-950 received Fast Track designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Advanced Proprietary Pipeline -- VX-702: Vertex completed enrollment ahead of schedule in a three- month, 315-patient Phase II study in RA with the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, VX-702. -- Cystic Fibrosis (CF): Vertex announced in October that, based on 2005 progress in its research program, the Company would accelerate its clinical development efforts in CF and initiate clinical development of a first compound in 2006. Advanced Collaborator-Driven Programs -- VX-680: In December, Vertex and Merck announced that in a Phase I clinical study in patients with solid tumor cancers, dosing with VX-680 demonstrated activity on a clinically relevant biomarker. In addition, Merck has selected a follow-on compound for development from the companies` joint research collaboration. These achievements triggered two milestone payments to Vertex, totaling more than $19 million. -- VX-944: Early in 2005, Vertex entered into a licensing agreement with Avalon Pharmaceuticals for the development of VX-944 (AVN944) in oncology indications. In a separate release issued today, Avalon announced that they have begun a Phase I clinical trial of AVN944 in hematologic malignancies. -- Brecanavir (VX-385): Brecanavir is an HIV protease inhibitor in clinical development that has demonstrated antiviral activity against drug-resistant isolates in vitro. In December, Vertex and GSK reported at the 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) that brecanavir demonstrated potent antiviral activity in a Phase IIa study in HIV patients. GSK also began a Phase IIb study of brecanavir in more than 100 patients at centers in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the E.U. In July, brecanavir received Fast Track designation from the U.S. FDA. Corporate and Business Achievements -- In December, Vertex and GSK entered into a worldwide agreement to develop and commercialize VX-409, Vertex`s novel, subtype selective sodium channel modulator for the treatment of pain. As part of the collaboration, Vertex received a $20 million up-front payment and could receive more than $385 million in milestone payments. GSK will also pay Vertex royalties on annual net sales. -- Vertex completed a secondary offering in June, which resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $175.7 million. -- Vertex has significantly improved its capital structure by reducing its 2007 debt obligations from $82.6 million to $42.1 million, and its 2011 debt obligation from $232.4 million to approximately $118.0 million through the completion of exchanges of debt for equity.

Vertex will report financial results for 2005 and financial guidance for 2006 on February 7, 2006.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) the Company expects to begin clinical trials in 2006 that may establish the ability of VX-950 to achieve sustained viral responses in HCV patients in three months of treatment; (ii) VX-950 could transform the future treatment of HCV; (iii) the Company expects to gain important clinical data that could define the medical and commercial opportunities for a variety of its other compounds in clinical development, building further value in its pipeline; (iv) at the end of 2006, VX-950 will be on a registration track with a timetable to commercialization in the U.S. and Europe, Vertex will have a robust and more advanced pipeline of drug candidates with breakthrough potential, and the Company`s financial profile will continue to support investment in the clinical development of breakthrough products; (v) in the first quarter of 2006, Vertex will report top-line data from a 12-patient, 28- day Phase II clinical study of VX-950 combined with pegylated interferon and ribavirin; (vi) Vertex will evaluate VX-950 in a three-month Phase II study in more than 200 HCV patients that will begin in early 2006 and will initiate additional clinical studies of VX-950 throughout 2006; (vii) Vertex will complete all dosing from a 315-patient Phase II clinical study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with VX-702 in the first quarter and will report top-line data in the second quarter of 2006; (viii) Vertex plans to initiate a three-month, Phase II combination study of VX-702 in combination with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis in the second half of 2006; (ix) the Company expects to begin clinical development in 2006 with a novel, small molecule compound for CF; (x) two of the Company`s collaborators will report clinical trials results (GlaxoSmithKline, from a Phase IIb study of the HIV protease inhibitor brecanavir, and Merck, from a Phase I clinical study of VX-680) at one or more scientific conferences in 2006; (xi) GSK and Merck, respectively, will initiate a Phase III clinical trial of brecanavir and a Phase II clinical trial of VX-680 in 2006; and (xii) Vertex will maintain a strong revenue stream and capital structure, and sign new collaborations, in 2006. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that any one or more of Vertex`s internal and external drug development programs will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons or due to patient enrollment issues or based on new information from nonclinical or clinical studies or from other sources, that one or more of the Company`s assumptions underlying its revenue expectations, including clinical and scientific progress that could lead to milestone payments under existing collaboration agreements or payments under new collaborations, will not be realized, due to any number of financial, technical or collaboration considerations, that unexpected costs associated with one of the Company`s programs will necessitate a reduction in its investment in other programs or a change in the Company`s financial capabilities, that future competitive or other market factors may adversely impact the commercial potential for the Company`s existing HIV products or its product candidates in development, that the Company`s drug discovery efforts will not ultimately result in commercial products or assets that can generate collaboration revenue, due to scientific, medical or technical developments, that Vertex will be unable to enter into new collaborative relationships to support its research and development programs on acceptable terms, or at all, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Webcast:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will webcast its corporate presentation at the 24th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference on January 9, 2006 at 11:00 am EST. A link to the webcast will be available via the Internet at Vertex`s website, http://www.vrtx.com/, in the Investor Center.


Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/. Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Media Relations Specialist, [phone]




quelle: finanznachrichten.de

[blb]

Stopp-Loss hilft hier bei schlechten Nachrichten nichts, die Aktie wird dann schon vorbörslich mit einem deutlichen Abschlag gehandelt. Option wäre Teilverkauf schon vorher, wenn man nicht das komplette Risiko eingehen will!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Daher kam wohl der Schwung am Freitag:

Vertex Pharma reports positive data in VX-950 study (VRTX) By Steve Gelsi
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) on Monday said VX-950, its investigational oral Hepatitis C protease inhibitor, caused a "rapid and dramatic reduction in viral levels" in combination with Pegylated Interferon. In the next few months, Vertex expects to initiate a three-month Phase II trial with more than 200 participants that will study VX-950 dosed in combination with peg-IFN, both with and without ribavirin, another standard HCV treatment. Shares of Vertex Pharma rose $1.80 to $31.28 on Friday.

Erneut gute Ergebnisse mit VX-950! Die Phase II-Ergebnisse sollen noch im ersten Quartal kommen, dann wird es richtgi interessant!

Grüße
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.616.474 von charlie01 am 09.01.06 13:14:56[/posting]Erste Veröffentlichung noch im ersten Quartal 2006 geplant, dann soll eine Studie folgen mit 200 Patienten. Genaueres Datum steht noch nicht fest.

Am 07.02.2006 folgen die Zahlen für 2005 und der Ausblick für 2006.

SL immer nur kurzfristig setzen (für max. 1 Woche) und das kurz vor Veröffentlichung. Die Höhe mache ich dann vom aktuellen Kurs abhängig.

[blb]

Und die Party geht weiter...

[[KERN]Codex]

[ABV2003]

NEW YORK, January 9 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Credit Suisse First Boston reiterate their "outperform" rating on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX.NAS). The target price has been raised from $33 to $35.


Na ja, noch einfacher kann man es sich ja wohl nicht machen. $33 gestern geknackt. Und jetzt ganze $2 mehr und outperform.
Was sagen die Charttechniker zum aktuellen Chart? Ich bin in dieser Materie leider nicht so bewandert.

[charlie01]

...die "Analysten" müssen sich schon mit ihren Kurszielen
beeilen!!!

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.: outperform (Credit Suisse First Boston)

Die Analysten von Credit Suisse First Boston stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) weiterhin mit "outperform" ein. Das Kursziel erhöhe man von 33 auf 35 USD .
Analyse-Datum: 10.01.2006

Prudential Equity Group raised the price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) to $37 from $28 after the specialty drug firm announced positive clinical data for its experimental hepatitis C treatment.

...wer ist der nächste???

Mein KZ für dieses Jahr wenn die New`s weiter gut sind

90 - 105 $

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.631.462 von charlie01 am 10.01.06 09:22:51[/posting]Vertex hat heute schon eine Marktkapitalisierung von fast 3,3 Milliarden US$ und das bei einem Kurs von $33,10!!! $90-$105 ist dann doch etwas überzogen, oder? Gönnen würde ich es uns allen, glauben kann ich aber nicht daran.

[charlie01]

[posting]19.633.109 von ABV2003 am 10.01.06 11:09:23[/posting]wenn die Story weiter geht, steckt natürlich auch einiges
an Phantasie in Vertex.

Ich bin kein Experte in Sachen Bewertungen. In welchem Rahmen soll den die Bewertung liegen?

Wie ich die Börse kenne wird bei guten News und einem guten Marktumfeld nicht so sehr auf die Marktkap. geachtet.

Fazit: 90-105$ ist vielleicht zu hoch, aber an der Börse ist alles möglich.

[blb]

Es ist sicherlich schone einiges im Kurs drin, aber 45-50$ sind auf Jahressicht durchaus noch möglich bei weiterhin guten News. Wär nett, wenn vielleicht einer in dem Chart die langfristigen Retracements einzeichnen könnte. Leider kann ich das bei tradesignal nicht, da ich nicht Mitglied bin.



Grüße
blb

[ABV2003]

[posting]19.636.094 von blb am 10.01.06 14:22:19[/posting]Ich glaube auch an die $45 (siehe Posting 184). Wobei: Da ist z.Zt. alles möglich - selbst $60 würden mich nicht wundern, denn meine faustdicke Überraschung habe ich schon 2005 mit Vertex erlebt.

[ABV2003]

Vertex wieder mit 2,84% im plus bei $34,04. Wo führt das noch hin?

Ich habe Vertex mal wegen genaueren Terminen bezüglich der Tests und der Veröffentlichung gefragt. Es ist zwar eine vorgefertigte e-mail, aber dennoch stelle ich euch die Antwort mal rein:



Thank you for your recent email inquiring about the clinical trials for Vertex’s VX-950 compound, being developed for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C.

A Phase 1b study is in progress in Europe, and a Phase 2 study will be initiated in the US by the end of 2005; however, these are small studies that will recruit subjects from their own clinics. The larger Phase 2 multi-center study will start in the United States in early 2006. The location of clinical sites is being finalized now. This study will include patients who are “treatment-naïve”, meaning that they have not had prior treatment for hepatitis C. We expect to conduct additional studies in patients who have not responded to prior therapy, but have not yet initiated these studies.

The Vertex web site (www.vrtx.com) is the best source of current information on the status of the next study. As the start of the next study nears, the web site will include instructions about how to get contact information for a participating clinical center. You can also call us, starting at 617-444-6777; we expect to have the site information at the end of January 2006.

We appreciate your interest in Vertex and in VX-950, and the time you have taken to write to us and to provide your information. You can also follow the Vertex website (www.vrtx.com) which will have the most up-to-date news about the status of all of our investigational compounds and clinical studies.

Thank you again for your interest and your continued support of Vertex.

Best regards,

Clinical Development Staff
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

[charlie01]

[posting]19.650.371 von ABV2003 am 11.01.06 08:32:23[/posting]Ich vermute in ungeahnte Kurshöhen auch wenn wir natürlich
in den nächsten Tagen einen Rücksetzer sehen werden.

Aber:
- gute New`s werden den Kurs weiter treiben
- die Pipeline ist gut gefüllt
- die nächsten Q-Ergebnisse werden wohl besser sein
- viel Phantasie in Vertex

Ich bin schon länger dabei und warte nur noch darauf das
Förtsch & Co. sich zu Vertex äußern. Kann mich daran errinnern das "Der Aktionär" im Jahr 2000 schon ein KZ von 200$ ausgegeben hat.

Also wir werden sehen wie weit Vertex maschiert.

[blb]

@charlie01: Der Aktionär hat die "alten" Bios wie MLNM, PDLI und VRTX schon desöfteren nochmal besprochen. In einer der letzten Kolumnen wurde VRTX sogar als ein Favorit für 2006 genannt!

Grüße
blb

[charlie01]

[posting]19.652.431 von blb am 11.01.06 10:42:57[/posting]Wenn Vertex auch 2006 der Favorit unter den Bio`s wird,
dann werden wir wohl neue Höchststände erreichen.

Ich bin mal wirklich gespannt wo wir am Jahresende stehen werden. Werde mich in Zukunft mit Kurszielen zurückhalten.

Gruß

charlie01

[charlie01]

Was steht in dieser Meldung: Good New`s?

Vertex Gets Cystic Fibrosis Extension
Thursday January 12, 8:51 am ET
Vertex Receives $22 Million Drug Development Extension for Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

NEW YORK (AP) -- Biotech firm Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Thursday that it has entered an extended drug development deal with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc., a nonprofit drug development arm of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

ADVERTISEMENT
click here
Based on an original agreement from 2000, the extension gives Vertex another $22 million through 2008 to further develop a second compound to treat the root defect that causes cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition where thick mucus in the lungs interferes with breathing.

The condition occurs when a protein that allows chlorine to move through cell walls in the lungs is impeded causing dehydration and the thickening of mucus.

The extension focuses on the development of a "corrector" drug which increases the number of openings in the cell membrane for chlorine. So far, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has given $40 million to Vertex to develop another compound called a "potentiator," which can increase the likelihood that openings in the cell membrane remain open.

The potentiator compound, which could treat 10 percent to 20 percent of cystic fibrosis patients, is likely to begin clinical trials by the end of the year after the company files an investigational new drug application with the Food and Drug Administration, expected sometime by midyear.

The company expects the corrector compound, which could treat 80 percent to 90 percent of patients, would be ready to have an IND filed by early 2008.

Paul Negulescu, Vertex vice president of research, said in an interview that the extension intends to give the company the resources to develop the corrector compound to the point where the potentiator compound is today.

Cystic fibrosis affects about 30,000 people in the United States. Current treatments such as antibiotics do not address the root cause of the defect.

[ABV2003]

Am 7. Februar gibts die Zahlen fürs 4. Quartal und das gesamte Jahr 2005. Der Ausblick wird interessant werden.

Machen wir uns nichts vor. Vertex ist momentan sehr hoch bewertet. Mich würde es nicht wundern, wenn noch einige vor den Zahlen die Aktie absichern und mit einem Teil rausgehen.

[charlie01]

[posting]19.865.663 von ABV2003 am 25.01.06 09:18:48[/posting]Die Zahlen werden im Rahmen der Erwartungen, wenn nicht sogar
besser als erwartet ausfallen. Der Ausblick, wenn es denn einen gibt,wird positiv sein.

Die Börse geht momentan (bei dem Kursanstieg seit Mai 2005)
davon aus, das VX-950 ein Erfolg wird.
Also ist genügend Phantasie vorhanden und die Bewertung ist meiner Ansicht nach im Moment nicht so wichtig.

Ich tippe das Vertex weiter steigt.

mfg
charlie01

[ABV2003]

Ich bleibe auf jeden Fall auch dabei. Das Problem wird in den ersten beiden Februarwochen sein, dass der Kurs erst einmal etwas nachgibt. Entweder wie oben beschrieben, oder wegen "sell on good news". Mir ist es natürlich auch lieber, wenn er weiter beständig steigt.

[blb]

Falls Vertex bei den anstehenden Daten zu VX-950 einen weiteren Sprung hinlegen sollte, werde ich mich vorerst davon trennen. Mal schaun...

Grüße
blb

[charlie01]

Die Chancen für VX-950 stehen momentan bei ca. 70%.

Wenn Vertex bei den nächsten Daten einen Sprung nach oben macht, müssen die Daten sehr gut gewesen sein.

Dann die Aktie laufen lassen und nach unten absichern, denn die Pipeline birgt weiteres Potenzial.

mfg
charlie01

[Lea_00]

momentan stagniert vertex ja etwas, hoffe wir werden vor den zahlen noch die 29,- Euro knacken

was mich zuversichtlich stimmt ist, dass in letzter zeit immer mehr fonds investiert haben z.b. nordea und dit biotechnologie, einige haben auch ihre anteile aufgestockt

ich beobachte das weiter

[betterthantherest]

Wenn das Wörtchen wenn nicht wäre.


Vertex Shares Could Double In Three Years
Peter Kang, 01.23.06, 11:41 AM ET

Vertex Pharmaceuticals


Credit Suisse First Boston maintained an "outperform" rating on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) and said shares could double in price in three years.

"Vertex shares are once again challenging our price target and with the stock up 250% over the past year, investors may be asking what to do with the stock. We would stick with Vertex," wrote analyst Mark Augustine, in a note to clients.

While the shares have logged substantial gains in the last year or so on high expectations for the company`s lead drug candidate, the hepatitis treatment VX-950, the analyst said the market is currently underestimating the potential of VX-702, an experimental treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in mid-stage clinical trials.

"Vertex shares may not be for the faint-hearted at these price levels," said Augustine. "However, the hepatitis C derby is just that: a race. Should Vertex not stumble or encounter unforeseen obstacles prior to approval, $35 will wind up looking like an early exit point."

Augustine said few investors appear to be focused on VX-702, which has blockbuster sales potential in rheumatoid arthritis.

"We believe that VX-702 could provide the next leg of stock price appreciation," he said.

The CSFB analyst expects Vertex to report positive Phase II data for VX-702 in the second quarter of 2006.

Augustine maintained a price target of $35 on Vertex stock. "If all goes well in both the VX-950 and VX-702 programs and no other programs create value, then we believe that Vertex shares could double to $70 over the next three years."

[charlie01]

"Weeeeeeennnnnn" alles glatt geht

wird man in drei Jahren über 70 $

Ich sehe das ganze sehr optimistisch!!

[Lea_00]

und wir haben die 29,- euro ..habe jetzt erstmal ein drittel verkauft ..und warte mal auf die zahlen am 7ten

[charlie01]

Vertex + 5% am Freitag.
Kann keine New`s finden. Ich vermute das hat mit den Zahlen am 07.02. etwas zu tun. Da wissen doch schon wieder einige Leute mehr als wir. ODER???

Lea_00: eine gute Entscheidung!!!

[Lea_00]

na da bin ich ja mal auf die zahlen gespnatt, oder vielmehr auf die reaktion auf die zahlen

schaun mer mal

[charlie01]

Die Erwartungen:

The Cambridge, Mass.-based developer of HIV and hepatitis-C drugs is expected to post a loss of 23 cents a share, compared with a loss of 38 cents a share last year, according to a survey by Thomson First Call.

The same poll sees Vertex showing that revenues will have grown about 45% to $58 million over the year.

Und dann die 2 Meeting`s:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcasts of its Presentations at Two Investor Conferences

Cambridge, MA, February 3, 2006– Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) will webcast its presentations at the 2006 Merrill Lynch Global Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology & Medical Device Conference on February 8, 2006 and at the Eighth Annual BIO CEO and Investor Conference on February 14, 2006.

Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex will present at both conferences. Vertex’s presentation and discussion at the Merrill Lynch conference will be conducted on February 8, 2006 at 8:40 a.m. EST and will be audio webcast only. At the BIO CEO and Investor Conference, Dr. Boger will deliver a corporate presentation on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. EST. In addition, Dr. Boger will participate in the Infectious Disease: Breakthroughs in Hepatitis Focus Session at 9:00 a.m. EST on that day. This Focus Session will also be webcast.

The presentations will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at www.vrtx.com. A replay of the webcasts will also be available on the Company’s website for two weeks following the presentations. To access the webcasts, go to Vertex’s website and select the ‘Merrill Lynch Global Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology & Medical Device Conference’ or the ‘BIO CEO and Investor Conference’ or the ‘BIO CEO Breakthroughs in Hepatitis Focus Session’ from the ‘Events Calendar.’ To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

bis zum 14.02.2006 wissen wir mehr aber Vertex wird uns auch 2006 gute Kursgewinne bringen.

Hier noch ein Tip im Biotech-Sektor: Peregrine Pharmaceuticals (PPHM)

[charlie01]

Artikel über Vertex Pharmaceuticals heute in der New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/07/business/07place.html?page…

[blb]

Das sind phantastische Ergebnisse! Mal schaun wie der Kurs heute reagiert...

Vertex Successfully Completes Key Studies with VX-950 to Prepare for Next Steps in Clinical Program
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2006 12:01 AM
- PR Newswire

Feb 07, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced that it has completed dosing with VX-950 in a Phase II, 28-day clinical study in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. In addition, the Company announced that it has completed three-month animal toxicology studies that will support clinical studies of VX-950 of up to three months duration. Initiation of additional Phase II clinical studies in the U.S. in patients with HCV is planned following required Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of these latest non- clinical and clinical results, and FDA review of a proposed clinical study protocol. This information will be submitted to the FDA within the first quarter of 2006.

Clinical Study Design and Results

The 28-day, Phase II clinical study enrolled 12 treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 HCV. Patients received VX-950 in a tablet formulation at a dose of 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) for 28 days in combination with standard doses of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R); peg-IFN) and ribavirin (Copegus(R); RBV). At the end of 28 days, patients completed dosing with VX-950 and per study protocol were required to continue treatment with peg-IFN and RBV. This 28-day, Phase II study was not designed to evaluate sustained viral responses (SVR) in patients receiving VX-950.

There were no treatment discontinuations and no serious adverse events reported. A detailed safety analysis is ongoing.

For patients entering the study, the distribution of baseline plasma HCV RNA values was typical for a treatment-naive patient population. At the end of week 1 (day 8 of VX-950 dosing), plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL; Roche Taqman(R) assay) in six of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL; Roche Taqman(R) assay) in two of 12 patients. Preliminary HCV RNA results in patients for weeks 2-4 are as follows:

* At the end of week 2, plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation
(30 IU/mL) in 11 of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10
IU/mL) in three of 12 patients.
* At the end of week 3, plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation
(30 IU/mL) in 12 of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10
IU/mL) in nine of 12 patients.
* At the end of VX-950 dosing (end of week 4; day 28), plasma HCV RNA was
undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) in all 12 patients.
* No patients showed evidence of viral breakthrough while on treatment.


The Phase II study reported today is the third in a series of clinical trials of VX-950 in patients with HCV designed to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral activity, in order to guide the design of larger, longer duration Phase II studies. The Company plans to present the full data set from the 28-day, Phase II study at a medical conference later this year.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex will submit data from the toxicology and clinical studies to the FDA within the first quarter; (ii) the Company`s three-month animal toxicology data support clinical studies of VX-950 of up to three months duration; and (iii) additional Phase II clinical studies in the U.S. are planned following FDA review of data from Vertex studies and the Company`s proposed clinical study protocols. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex`s actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that full analysis of the data, including an ongoing detailed safety analysis, or further testing, will not reflect the interim results reported in this press release, or support any or all of the conclusions provided in this press release; the FDA will not agree to a clinical trial designed to determine SVR after three months of combination treatment; clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues; expected regulatory filings or clinical trial starts may not occur or may be delayed due to adverse clinical or non-clinical trial developments or FDA action, any one or more of which events could delay the start of Phase III clinical trials and planned filings for regulatory approval; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex`s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies, and Pegasys is a registered trademark of Hoffman-La Roche Inc.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media Relations, [phone]


SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone], or Michael
Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora Pike,
Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Specialist, Media
Relations, [phone], all of Vertex


http://www.prnewswire.com


Copyright (C) 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. ********************************************************************** As of Friday, 02-03-2006 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-17-2005 for VRTX @ $14.69. (C) 2006 Comtex News Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.078.393 von blb am 07.02.06 11:46:52[/posting]Wow, vorbörslich schon wieder fast 5% im plus. Das ist schon der Wahnsinn, dass keiner auf die Idee kommt Gewinne mitzunehmen. Kann mir nur recht sein.

[charlie01]

Wer jetzt verkauft ist selber schuld.

Termine:
07.02 Zahlen 2005
08.02 Präsentation (s. oben)
14.02 Präsentation (s. oben)

VX-950 und VX-702

charlie_01

[blb]

Ich überleg grad hin und her ob ich rausgehen soll. Schätze nach den Zahlen heute nachbörslich gehts wohl wieder runter. Aber so richtig trau ich mich auch nicht...

Zur Zeit scheints auch eher nach einem Test des Jahreshochs aus!

Grüße
blb

[Lea_00]

so läuft doch gut, nexte marke sind dann wohl die 45 $

[blb]

Aktuelle Präsentation:
http://www.vpharm.com/pdfs/YE2005vrtx.pdf
Ist noch ein langer Weg, VX-950 wird wohl erst 2009 auf den Markt kommen!

Die Zahlen waren übrigens besser als die Erwartungen!

Grüße
blb

[ABV2003]

Zwei neue Einschätzungen für Vertex:

08.02.2006 17:47
Bear Stearns stufen Vertex Pharma ab
Bear Stearns stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nachrichten) von „Outperform“ auf „peer perform“ ab.




Vertex Pharmaceuticals "outperform," target price raised

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 12:34:28 PM ET

Credit Suisse First Boston
NEW YORK, February 8 (newratings.com) - Analysts at Credit Suisse First Boston reiterate their "outperform" rating on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX.NAS). The target price has been raised from $35 to $44.


In diesem Fall glaube ich den Schweizern

[charlie01]

...und noch einer:

Vertex Pharma. neues Kursziel
Quelle: Citigroup
Datum: 09.02.06


Die Analysten der Citigroup stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) unverändert mit "buy" ein.

Vertex habe Phase II-Daten zu VX-950 zur Behandlung von Hepatitis C bekannt gegeben. Die Ergebnisse seien besser als erwartet ausgefallen. Das Unternehmen plane nun eine größere Studie mit 200 Patienten, welche die Grundlage für die Phase III in 2007 bilden sollte.

Darüber hinaus seien die Q4-Zahlen veröffentlicht worden, die im Rahmen der Erwartungen ausgefallen seien. Bei der Guidance für 2006 sei ein deutlicher Anstieg der Aufwendungen für Forschung und Entwicklung zu beachten, um die klinischen Programme zu unterstützen.

Die Analysten würden sich für den Titel weiterhin positiv gestimmt zeigen. Das Kursziel habe man von 33 auf 50 USD heraufgesetzt.

Vor diesem Hintergrund empfehlen die Analysten der Citigroup die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals weiterhin zu kaufen.
Analyse-Datum: 09.02.2006

[blb]

Deckt sich ungefähr mit meinem nächsten großen Zielbereich 45-50$.

[ABV2003]

Mal wieder die Analysten.

$45 haben wir hier im Board schon am 28.12.2005(!) als Kursziel genannt (Posting 184). Über 6 Wochen später ziehen die nach. Irgendwie laufen die ständig hinterher

[charlie01]

[posting]20.113.615 von ABV2003 am 09.02.06 11:02:34[/posting]Mein KZ 80-120$ (2-3 Jahre) vom 22.11.05 (siehe #148)

Wenn bei Vertex alles glatt läuft vermute ich das wir die 80$ schon dieses Jahr sehen werden!!

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.114.548 von charlie01 am 09.02.06 11:49:07[/posting]Da bin ich auch gerne dabei . Glaubst Du aber nicht, dass dies dann doch etwas zu ambitioniert ist? Vertex hat eine Marktkapitalisierung von fast 3,6 Milliarden US$. Das ist schon recht hoch. VX-950 wird erst 2008/2009 auf den Markt kommen. Dh. noch mindestens 2-3 Schicht im Schacht. Die Zukunftsaussichten auf lange Sicht 5-10 Jahre sind hervorragend, da gebe ich Dir absolut recht. Aber $80 noch dieses Jahr? Da kann ich beim besten Willen nicht daran glauben. Was verstehst Du unter "wenn alles glatt läuft"? Was soll denn dieses Jahr glatt laufen, das so einen Kurs rechtfertigen würde? Es wird einen Test mit 200 Personen geben, der dann die Grundlage für Phase III sein wird, die aber erst 2007 starten wird.
Ein Kurs von $80 würde bedeuten, dass Vertex über 7,9 Milliarden US$ wert ist . Wo sollen denn diese Werte stecken? Wenn Phase III annähernd so gut verläuft, wie momentan die Testergebnisse, dann können wir uns gerne nochmal über solche Kurse unterhalten.

[charlie01]

[posting]20.117.016 von ABV2003 am 09.02.06 13:57:39[/posting]Da die Börse gerne übertreibt, mußt du nicht die Frage danach stellen ob die Marktkap. gerechtfertigt ist oder nicht!!

Wenn alles glatt läuft:

1. Das VX-950 weiter gute Daten liefert (sonst rauscht VRTX in den Keller)

2. VX-702 positive Daten liefert

3. VX-680 und VX-409 sind zwar noch in recht frühen Phasen, aber auch hier steckt einiges Potenzial

4. das Börsenumfeld muß natürlich weiter relativ gut bleiben

Du wirst sehen, das die Analysten ihre Kursziele schon bald erhöhen werden.

[Lea_00]

also ich bin jetzt mal wieder kurz mit paar stück eingestiegen ..alle kurse unter 30,- euro sind kaufkurse finde ich ..

[eddyumbra]

Sagen wir`s mal so: Sollte sich VX-950 nicht wie erwünscht entwickeln, könnte sich Vertex halbieren und kein Hahn kräht danach.

80 $ wären ca. 8,5 Mrd. MarketCap. Ich halte es für nicht sehr wahrscheinlich. Denn dann würde wirklich schon mit 1 Mrd. $ an künftigen Umsätzen gerechnet. Aber die Börse ist bekanntlich ein Irrenhaus, man kann nie wissen...

Freuen würde ich mich natürlich darüber. Bin aber schon jetzt dabei an guten Tagen ein paar Stückchen zu geben. Eine `gesunde` Restposition bleibt natürlich im Depot. Das würde mir dann auch noch reichen, falls wir wirklich so übertreiben und die 60, 70, 80$ sehen.

[charlie01]

[posting]20.145.259 von eddyumbra am 10.02.06 22:45:44[/posting]VX-950 wird ein Erfolg. Das ist schon im Kurs mit drin!!

wenn dann noch

VX-702 ein Erfolg für Vertex wird

sehen wir Kurse >80$

dann spielt die MK keine so große Rolle mehr!!!!

[sir1]

scheisse bin vor einer woche raus
muss wieder nachkaufen
5000 stück

verluste muss man begrenzen
20 jahre boerse

[sir1]

soll naechste woche im aktionar
behandelt werden

nach auf steigende kurse

20 jahre boerse

[[KERN]Codex]

Vertex geht noch locker auf 50 USD

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.296.896 von [KERN]Codex am 20.02.06 21:56:58[/posting]Warum?

[charlie01]

[posting]20.300.239 von ABV2003 am 21.02.06 08:16:37[/posting]Vertex schafft locker 50$ wenn VX-950 weiter gute New`s liefert.
falls VX-950 nicht wie gewünscht läuft bekommen wir natürlich mächtig einen über die

Im Yahoo Message Board wird schon fleißig über VX-702 diskutiert. Im 2. Halbjahr kommen Phase II Ergebnisse.
Und das ist jetzt das Entscheidende:

kommt man auch bei VX-702 zu guten Testergebnissen wird man den Kurs weiter nach oben treiben, sodas 50$ nicht das Ende sein wird.

Ich bin weiter optimistisch und würde als Analyst sagen:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals strong buy

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.305.484 von charlie01 am 21.02.06 13:38:21[/posting]Danke charlie01. Deine Meinung ist mir bekannt. Ich wollte es aber von Codex wissen. Einfach nur zu schreiben, dass VRTX bald 50$ wert ist, ist schon etwas einfach.

Vertex hält sich verdammt gut. Da ist eine relative Stärke trotz absolut hoher MK festzustellen.

[charlie01]

UPDATE 2-Reuters Summit-Vertex pill could eclipse Enbrel-CEO
Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:59 PM ET

BOSTON, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The chief executive officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday said the company`s experimental treatment for rheumatoid arthritis could potentially exceed the annual sales of Amgen`s (AMGN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) blockbuster Enbrel product.

Asked if Vertex`s VX-702 pill could surpass Enbrel`s $2.6 billion in annual sales, Joshua Boger told reporters at the Reuters Biotechnology Summit in Boston, "Oh yeah."

Boger said Enbrel and other injectable treatments for the crippling joint disease are typically given to patients whose symptoms have already progressed, and therefore are only treating "a fraction of patients."

Vertex`s VX-702 pill targets the same inflammation-causing protein as Enbrel, tumor necrosis factor. But as a pill, Boger said it would be more convenient and could sidestep problems seen with Enbrel and similar therapies, such as infections and cancers of the lymph system.

VX-702 is now in mid-stage clinical trials for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Boger said it also holds promise as a treatment for a wide array of other inflammatory illnesses, such as Crohn`s disease, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Boger said Vertex would be able to sell VX-702 by itself for rheumatoid arthritis in the United States, should it win approval. However, he said the company would need partners to sell the drug outside the country and for other conditions.

Shares of Vertex have more than tripled in the past nine months mostly because of enthusiasm for another drug, VX-950 for hepatitis C.

The VX-950 pill recently drove the virus down to undetectable levels within 28 days in all 12 patients of a tiny clinical trial. Standard treatments typically clear the virus in only about half of patients after a full year of treatment.

The company plans to soon begin mid-stage trials involving more than 200 patients to verify the VX-950`s impressive earlier effectiveness and its lack of side effects.

Boger said he is hopeful VX-950 in larger trials will also eliminate the virus in the lion`s share of patients.

"I wouldn`t be surprised if it was 90 plus (percent)," Boger said.

An estimated 4 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C, which quietly attacks the liver for decades and is the leading cause of liver transplants.

Another U.S. biotech company, Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IDIX.O: Quote, Profile, Research), is developing a promising hepatitis C treatment that is often compared with VX-950, although they block different proteins.

Boger said Idenix`s NM283 is being tested primarily for patients who failed to benefit from standard combination treatments sold by Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX: Quote, Profile, Research). By contrast, he said trials of VX-950 have focused on patients who have not been previously given standard therapy, a far wider population.

He said Vertex plans also to test its drug in patients who failed standard treatments. Should those trials prove successful, he said, the Vertex drug would be the preferred therapy because clinical trials suggest it is far more potent in clearing the virus.

"I don`t see that Idenix`s compound is going to be a (competitive) problem," Boger said, adding that NM283 is unlikely to become a "cornerstone" of therapy.

However, he said he hopes the NM283 is approved so it could be used alongside the Vertex pill in a "cocktail" of therapies.

"I don`t think we`re competitors in any specific sense," Boger said.

Later on Tuesday, Idenix Chief Executive Jean-Pierre Sommadossi said NM283 indeed would be a key component of hepatitis C cocktail therapy.

Sommadossi said it and a drug being developed by Roche are the only ones he knows of in clinical trials that block polymerase, a protein the virus requires to replicate.

By contrast, the Vertex drug and hepatitis C treatments being developed by other companies block another protein, known as protease.

"There will not be a miracle drug for hepatitis C," Sommadossi said. "One drug will not be the answer." (Additional reporting by Lisa Richwine, Toni Clarke, Ed Tobin and Bill Berkrot)
© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

[charlie01]

VRTX schon über 40 $ !!!

Hab euch ja gesagt, vergesst die MK von Vertex!!

Hier kommen mit Sicherheit bald weitere GOOD NEW`S!!

[blb]

VRTX ist einfach nur noch geil!

Erhöhtes Kursziel von 45-50$ ist schon in Reichweite!

[ABV2003]

Ich finde es auch suuuuuper geil - mir fehlen einfach die Worte ....

[ThorVestor]

[[KERN]Codex]

Ich sag doch hier gehts ab

[eddyumbra]

Servus VRTX-Freunde :-)

bin zwar kein Fan von überzogenen Bewertungen, aber ich gebe mal ein Beispiel, wie gerechnet werden könnte, falls nun alle durchdrehen. KernCodex und Charlie glauben zwar zu wissen, MarketCap spielt keine Rolle, aber die Erfahrung werden sie irgendwann noch machen bzw. sich das Wissen noch aneignen müssen.

So... nun kann sich jeder sein persönliches Kursziel errechnen :-)

VX-950 1,0 Mrd. Annual Sales
VX-702 2,5 Mrd. Annual Sales (da Vergleich zu ENBREL ja schon gezogen wird)
Umsatz in 2011/12: 3,5 Mrd.

So, und nun 10-facher Umsatz gerechnet, ergibt 35 Mrd. MarketCap. Rechnen wir `sicherheitshalber` mal noch nen Abschlag - sagen wir also 25 - 30 Mrd. MarketCap.
Von jetzt ab also nochmal ne Verfünfachung des Kurses.
Das Szenario tritt wahrscheinlich nicht ein. Wollte nur mal zeigen, wie eventuell gerechnet werden könnte, wenn VRTX von WallStreet zum BigGainer 2006 gekürt werden sollte.

Ich habe jetzt ca. 1/4 meiner Position verkauft, da ich sehr weit unten eingestiegen bin. Sollten wir Richtung 60$ laufen, fliegt das nächste 1/4 raus. Und für den Fall das mein obiges, lustiges Szenario eintritt, habe ich immer noch genug Stücke :-)

Mich würde interessieren, was ihr für Einschätzungen oder Szenarien habt. Nicht nur schreiben: "Vertex 100$" Mich interessiert eher, wie ihr sowas bewertet oder berechnet.

Grüße!
Eddy

[betterthantherest]

[posting]20.374.098 von eddyumbra am 25.02.06 08:40:44[/posting]Erstaunlicher Weise ist man tatsächlich bereit, für diese Art von Unternehmen in einem frühen Entwicklungsstadium, echte Fantasiepreise zu bezahlen.

Später geht man mehr dazu über, die Umsätze und Gewinne in Relation zur Marktkapitalisierung zu sehen.

Bei VRTX stellt sich nun die Frage, wie früh der Prozess einer realistischen Wahrnehmung der Verhältniszahlen einsetzt. In VRTX Pipeline stecken noch weitere mögliche Blockbuster, welche die Fantasie der Anleger noch über lange Zeit anregen könnten. Erste Erfolge bei VX-950 und VX-702 könnten den Prozess der Übertreibung sogar noch verstärken.

So gesehen sollte man einen Verkauf über die nächsten 5 bis 10 Jahre eigentlich gänzlich ausschließen.

[Mr.NASDAKI]

Mal eine Frage an die Experten: Die Handelsvolumina in Deutschland sind bei diser Aktie ja eher mager. Würdet ihr (trotz höherer Spesen) in den USA kaufen oder doch z.B. in Frankfurt? Mein Hintergedanke: wenn Vertex irgendwann abstürzen sollte, bring` ich die Aktie bei großen Handelsvolumina (also am US-Markt) vermutlich leichter weg. Oder irre ich da?

Danke und schönes Wochenende!

Nas.

[ABV2003]

Es ist tatsächlich sehr schwer für Vertex momentan eine vernünftige Bewertung zu finden. Wenn Du es von der realistischen Seite siehst, müsstest Du alles verkaufen und nicht nur 1/4. Ich selbst lasse mich seit dem 13.01.2005 (seit dieser Zeit bin ich in Vertex investiert) ständig überraschen. Mich hat es schon oft in den Fingern gejuckt un wollte verkaufen. Zum Glück habe ich es bisher nicht getan. Persönlich schaue ich mir momentan nur noch die Kurse an und ziehe meinen imagineren Stop-Loss hinterher. Das Ding ist brandheiß. Für dieses Jahr erwarte ich einen weiteren Kursanstieg. Dafür ist die Aktie einfach zu sehr in den Blickpunkt des allgemeinen Interesses gerückt. 2007 beginnt für VX950 die Phase 3. Ich glaube nicht, dass wir hier zuvor von schlechten Forschungsergebnissen überrascht werden. Geht man von realistischen Bewertungen aus, müsste ich schon längst alles verkauft haben. Aber der Kurs steigt aufgrund der aktuellen Aussichten und die sind mehr als gut. Die Frage ist momentan nur, was Käufer bereit sind zu zahlen. Ich bleibe z.Zt. voll dabei.

[eddyumbra]

Bei den hierzulande bekannteren Werten wie Vertex solltest du, was den Handel in Deutschland betrifft, eigentlich keine Probleme bekommen. Kleinere, unbekannte Werte kaufe ich jedoch auch nur an der Nasdaq.

[eddyumbra]

@ABV2003

Kommt immer drauf an, welche Strategie man fährt. Es ist eigentlich kein Problem bei stark steigenden Kursen die Position ein wenig abzubauen. Sicherlich bin ich damit öfters mal zu zeitig am Verkaufen, manchmal auch genau richtig.

Gewinne darf man schon mal sichern, finde ich. Ich will halt hinterher nicht dumm dastehen und feststellen, das ich von 9 bis 60$ zwar dabei war, aber letztlich trotzdem wieder bei 20$ eingeschlagen bin.
Natürlich darf man bei dieser `Strategie` dann im positiven Falle auch nicht jammern, weil man schon 1/4 verkauft hat.

Das macht halt jeder anders. Schau her, es gibt welche die steigen schon nach 50% komplett aus, weils ihnen zu heiß wird oder aber ihnen der Gewinn von 50% schon sehr viel vorkommt. Genau trifft man`s eben nie.

Mich stört momentan eben nur bißchen die hohe MarketCap. Aber ich hab ja auch hier schonmal durchgerechnet, wie andere das sehen könnten und was dadurch eben noch möglich wäre. (25 Mrd. Cap) Das Ausfallrisiko ist bis zur Phase III dennoch in nem Bereich von 50- 70% gegeben - im Allgemeinen, nicht speziell auf VRTX gemünzt.
Ebenso könnte ein etwas vorsichtiger oder gar kritischer Analystenkommentar ausreichen. Wir kennen doch alle diese `Begründungen`. Meist lauten sie "cites valuation"...

Positiv ist auf jeden Fall, das VRTX jetzt bei jedermann auf dem Radar ist. Es gibt ja auch genug Institutionelle, die bekanntlich erst ab 2 Mrd. MarketCap mit dem Coverage beginnen. Der Newsflow sollte eigentlich auch gut bleiben.
Bei allen "VX950-Patienten" war das Virus nachher `undetectable`. Das ist schon beachtsam. Ich glaube aber, das waren erstmal nur 12 Leute, oder verdreh` ich jetzt was?

Ich würde es jetzt erstmal so halten, das man 1 Mrd. Revenues durchaus rechnen kann. Nehmen wir jetzt mal den 8-fachen Umsatz und `einigen` uns auf eine mögliche MarketCap. von 8 bis 9 Mrd. USD. Das wären dann Kurse um die 80$. Sowas könnte in 2006 durchaus möglich sein...
Aber dann wirds langsam Ernst...

[Mr.NASDAKI]

Danke!

[stromerzeuger]

hallo Leute
also ich bin 2000 mit 50 eingestiegen, hatte mich viele Nerven gekostet ich hoffe, dass ich mit steigendem Kurs für mein Aushalten etwas entlohnt werde

[blb]

@eddyumbra: Du machst einen gravierenden Fehler bei der Bewertungsanalyse. Die Medikamente werden - wenn überhaupt - nicht vor 2008/2009 auf den Markt kommen und dann dauert es immer noch ein paar Jahre bis das Marktpotenzial ausgeschöpft ist...

Vertex ist auf dem aktuellen Niveau sicher teuer, allerdings ein High-Beta-Monster im NBI und deshalb weiterhin interessant bei gutem Marktumfeld. Kaufen nur bei Rücksetzern Teilverkäufe bei 45$-50$. Risiko sehe ich mittlerweile bei >50%, sollte ein Medikament scheitern...

Grüße
blb

PS: Nochmal eine Bitte: Könnte hier jemand die langfristigen Fibonacci-Retracements seit dem Allzeithoch einzeichnen? Das sind meist sehr starke langfristige Widerstandsmarken! Danke!

[eddyumbra]

@blb:
Stimmt nicht! Lies mal weiter unten, mir ist die Vertex doch eigentlich jetzt schon zu teuer! Ich habe doch nur mal versucht durchzurechnen, was andere so für die Bewertung heranziehen könnten und was dabei herauskommen könnte.

Da momentan ein VRTX-Hype bei gutem Newsflow zu sehen ist, kann man doch so ein Szenario mal durchspielen.

Ich selbst wurde doch hier im Thread schon `gescholten` weil ich einige Stücke `zu früh` verkauft habe...

Wir eiern doch bewertungs- und MarketCap-technisch gesehen, alle etwas rum. Niemand weiß momentan, wo die Bewertung liegen könnte. Da an der Börse die Zukunft gehandelt wird, kann es also sein, das bereits jetzt schon mal die 1 Mrd. Revenues "gerechnet" wird. (wenn auch nur vorrübergehend) Halten würde sich so`ne Bewertung natürlich nicht lange.

Ich bleibe auch bei meiner Einschätzung, das VRTX momentan sehr ambitioniert bewertet ist. Ich werde auch vorsichtshalber in nem Bereich von 50- 55$ weiter abbauen.(wenn es überhaupt noch dazu kommt)
Doch selbst bzgl. dieses Vorhabens wurde ich bereits belächelt...

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.393.704 von eddyumbra am 26.02.06 19:10:41[/posting]Ob jemand verkauft oder nicht, ist doch ganz alleine seine eigene Sache. Ich würde nie jemand belächeln, der Gewinne gemacht hat. Die "Ach-hätte-ich-doch nur-Aktie" und die "Zum-Glück-habe-ich-nicht-Aktie" kennen wir doch alle. Klar freut es einem, wenn man am Ende recht behält. Aber wo ist das Ende? Also ich kann nur sagen: Nach 13 Monaten extremen Anstiegs und einer Steigerung um weit mehr als 300%!!!!! bleibe ich wachsam.

[charlie01]

Deutsche Bank Starts VRTX at Buy.......

$53 price target

[charlie01]

Market Scan
Vertex`s Hepatitis C Drug Has `Gold Standard` Potential
Peter Kang, 03.03.06, 12:39 PM ET

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Deutsche Bank Securities initiated coverage of Vertex Pharmaceuticals with a "buy` rating and said the development-stage drug company`s promising experimental drug candidate VX-950 has "gold standard" potential as a hepatitis C treatment.

"Despite a strong 52-week stock return of 269% fueled by increasing visibility of VX-950, we believe the commercial potential of VX-950 and an evolving early clinical pipeline represent meaningful upside to current valuation," wrote analyst Jennifer M. Chao, in a client note. "2006 to 2008 could be transforming years for Vertex."

Vertex (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) is expected to begin a three-month study in the second quarter, which will determine the benefits of VX-950 compared with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the current standard of care. Vertex plans to begin Phase III trials in 2007 with the goal of filing a new drug application in 2008.

The lead drug candidate, which addresses market opportunities of $3 billion, is not the only potential blockbuster for Vertex. The company is also developing VX-702 for rheumatoid arthritis with preliminary results of a Phase II study expected in the second quarter.

"While the mechanism of action is intriguing, we remain cautiously optimistic about an uncharacterized safety profile," said Chao.

The analyst initiated a price target of $53 on Vertex shares.

"Lead product VX-950, an oral inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus, has the potential to be the new gold standard of care and dramatically improve the HCV treatment algorithm based on mid-stage proof-of-concept, in our view," the analyst said.

[ABV2003]

Na das war gestern aber eine Breitseite - sell on good news, kann ich da nur sagen. Anders ist der Kursabschlag gestern nicht zu erklären, Habe leider noch keine neuen News, was gestern den Abschlag verursacht haben soll. Die Präsentation war hervorragend, der Ausblick auch:

http://www.vrtx.com/pdfs/YE2005vrtx.pdf


Weiss jemand von euch etwas?

[charlie01]

[posting]20.567.137 von ABV2003 am 08.03.06 08:55:27[/posting]Die Korrektur von gestern war schon lange fällig.

Ich glaube es gab keine schlechten New`s und hoffe das es nur Gewinnmitnahmen waren.

Wir sind von Vertex einfach zu sehr verwöhnt worden das letzte Jahr.

Vertex ist ein heisses Eisen und wir haben schon fast vergessen wie Volatil dieser Wert sein kann.

Ich bleibe aber langfristig investiert, es sei denn VX-950
geht in die Hose.

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.569.001 von charlie01 am 08.03.06 09:49:10[/posting]Ich bin heute Morgen aus Vertex raus. Die Korrektur wird noch weitergehen. Hoffentlich kann ich wieder günstiger einsteigen. Wenn nicht habe ich Pech gehabt und nehme "nur" 320% Plus mit

[ABV2003]

So wie es aussieht, hat der Kurs gestern doch noch gedreht. Mal sehen, was die nächsten Tage bringen.

Gibt es einen Charttechniker unter euch? Ich glaube der Aufwärtstrend ist noch intakt, oder?

[eddyumbra]

@ABV2003
Naja stimmt schon, aber nachbörslich ist VRTX dennoch ca. 8% im Minus bei 37 USD. Gestern kamen Daten zu VX-702. Ich hoffe mal, ich bin nicht zu blöd diese Meldung richtig zu lesen, aber ich kann nichts Negatives finden. Also wahrscheinlich doch Sell on good News? Sowas sehen wir ja relativ häufig. Vielleicht wollen doch noch einige ihre Positionen `günstig` aufbauen... Vielleicht weiß von euch jemand was genaueres?

Übrigens:
Es ist ja auch erstmal nur vernünftig, wenn du nach dem guten Anstieg verkauft hast. Ich habe es ja ähnlich gehalten, allerdings nur mit Teilverkäufen. Ein klein wenig wundert es mich, das viele meist komplett herausgehen. Mann kann ne Position doch locker mal dritteln oder halbieren. (wenn sie groß genug ist/war) Aber zu dem Thema gibt es ja auch -berechtigterweise- verschiedene Meinungen.

[charlie01]

[posting]20.588.683 von ABV2003 am 09.03.06 08:33:17[/posting]1. Ich bin kein Charttechniker, aber der langfristige Aufwärtstrend ist noch lange nicht gebrochen!!

2. 320% Gewinn mit Vertex ist doch super

3. ich würde jetzt aber mit einem Neueinstieg warten:
denn VX-702 hat wohl "nur" gute Daten geliefert, aber eben keine Hammernew`s so wie VX-950

4. Es kann ganz schnell mal wieder Richtung 30$ mit Vertex gehen, langfristig aber sollte es weiter gen Norden gehen!!

5. Amgen hat eine Marktkapitalisierung die ca. 10-fach so hoch ist wie der Umsatz. VX-950 wird konservativ geschätzt einen Umsatz von 1,5-2,0 Milliarden $$ in 2010 machen.
Wenn VX-950 ein voller Erfolg wird, braucht man sich bezüglich der MK in ein paar Jahren keine Gedanken mehr machen.

6. VRTX bleibt für mich ein langf. Investment

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.589.095 von eddyumbra am 09.03.06 09:07:00[/posting]Leider war meine Position nicht so groß. Ich hatte Vertex als Beimischung im Depot. Dennoch sollte man nicht mosern, wenn man Gewinne mitnimmt. Bei größeren Positionen machen selbstverständlich Teilverkäufe Sinn, einfach auch um die Gewichtung im Depot stabil zu halten.

[ABV2003]

@ Charlie: Vertex bleibt für mich auch weiter sehr interessant. Ich bin auch der festen Überzeugung, dass wir noch höhere Kurse sehen werden. Und das Thema mit der MK hatten wir ja schon. Momentan ist die für meine Begriffe zu hoch. In 2008 lachen wir über diese MK. Ich glaube da sind wir uns alle hier einig.

Ich sehe das Problem noch von einer anderen Seite: Wenn der letzte Schuhputzer Dir Aktien empfiehlt, ist es Zeit auszusteigen. Und genau das haben wir im Moment bei Vertex. Ich werde alles von der Aussenlinie genau beobachten und bei günstigeren Kursen wieder zuschlagen.

[charlie01]

[posting]20.590.481 von ABV2003 am 09.03.06 09:58:02[/posting]...so ist es richtig. Dabei hast du alle Zeit der Welt!!

[gebby]

hatte vertex seit 4 jahren im depot liegen und bin von 30 ganz runter und nun wieder hoch.... habe beim stand von 37 einen SL bei 35,80 gesetzt - bin im moment froh, dass Sie weg sind... ich denke ich werde bei kursen zwischen 25 und 27 wieder rein können - langfristig bin ich von vertex schon überzeugt, aber man muß auch nicht jedes tal durchschreiten (habe ich oft ghenug gema´cht)

[blb]

Glückwunsch allen, die verkauft haben. Nach langem Hin und Her bin ich doch noch dringeblieben und staune jetzt ein bißchen über die nachbörslichen Kurse. Habt ihr Erklärungen? Erwartungen waren zu hoch bei VX702 oder einfach Sell the news?

Hab dieses heir gefunden:

Vertex says trial of arthritis drug meets goal
Wed Mar 8, 2006 6:12 PM ET

LOS ANGELES, March 8 (Reuters) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday its experimental drug for rheumatoid arthritis, called VX-702, has met its primary goals in a mid-stage study and it plans to launch more trials, but shares fell more than 9 percent in after-hours trading.

"I think people had expected more punch in the difference between placebo and drug," said George Fulop, an analyst at Needham and Co.

The company said a preliminary analysis indicates that 30 percent of patients receiving a placebo, 38 percent taking a 5 mg dose of VX-702, and 40 percent on a 10 mg dose of the drug achieved an at least 20 percent improvement in symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment.

"This could be a case of sell on the news. Also, maybe people had been spoiled with the stellar data they had on VX-950," said Joe Pantginis, an analyst at Canaccord Adams, referring to clinical trials of the company`s experimental treatment for hepatitis C.

Vertex shares have risen some 29 percent since the hepatitis C data was announced in early January.

"This study is positive, but it is just the first stepping stone," Pantginis said. He noted that the results reflect just three months of treatment with VX-702 alone, while other rheumatoid arthritis drugs have been tested in 6-month trials in combination with the standard drug, methotrexate.

Vertex said it continues to conduct a full analysis of the 315-patient study, and expects to present complete results at a medical conference later this year.

The company said the preliminary results support plans to advance its clinical program and to initiate by mid-2006 clinical studies of VX-702 in combination with methotrexate.

VX-702, dosed as one tablet, once a day, is one of the agents in a new class of investigational oral anti-cytokine therapies.

Shares of Vertex stock, which closed at $40.28 on Nasdaq, were 9.3 percent lower at $37.35 in after hours trading.



Grüße
blb

[charlie01]

Man hat die Erwartungen natürlich mit dem Vergleich zu Amgen`s Medikament Enbrel sehr nach oben geschraubt.
In meinen Augen war das ein Fehler, denn dann hätten wir gar nicht erst diesen rasanten Kursanstieg der letzten Wochen erlebt und alles wäre "ganz normal" gewesen.

Wichtig sind aber erst die nächsten klinischen Studien:
VX-702 in Kombination mit methotrexate!!

Den Kurs weiter nach oben bringen wird uns VX-950!!

[charlie01]

P.S.: Es bleibt auch noch abzuwarten mit welchem Kurs Vertex heute in Amiland eröffnet, denn nachbörslich wird immer nur mit geringen Umsätzen gehandelt. Gut möglich, das die Kursverluste gar nicht so massiv ausfallen werden!!
I hope so!!

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.595.815 von charlie01 am 09.03.06 13:01:46[/posting]Da ich jetzt draussen bin, hoffe ich natürlich, dass die Kurse fallen - schließlich will ich wieder rein und das günstiger. Das Problem bei Vertex sind tatsächlich auch die sehr hohen Erwartungen. Viele glauben, dass ließe sich endlos wiederholen. Und dann passiert genau das, was wir gesehen haben. Keine sehr guten Nachrichten, sondern "nur" gute und schon wird Vertex abgestraft. Das Gleiche haben wird doch auch bei SanDisk letztes Jahr erlebt. Ich halte auch diesen Wert für absolut interessant. Bin aber auch hier ausgestiegen, weil es einfach im Moment zu heiß ist. Das wird sich hoffentlich wieder ändern - und dann bin ich ruck zuck wieder bei beiden Werten dabei.

Bitte nich falsch verstehen: Ich gönne jedem seine Gewinne und Kurssteigerungen. Im Moment will ich aber einen entsprechenden Rücksetzer, dass ich wieder günstig einsteigen kann. Dann kann gerne die Post abgehen. Sollte dies schon vorher passieren, habe ich Pech gehabt und kann euch nur beglückwünschen. Sonst wünsche ich euch allen nur das Beste.

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.595.815 von charlie01 am 09.03.06 13:01:46[/posting]Verfall geht auch vorbörslich weiter: -8,4%. Damit knacken wir dann die ersten Unterstützungen, oder was meinen die Charttechniker dazu (bin da leider nicht so fit)?

[eddyumbra]

[posting]20.596.885 von ABV2003 am 09.03.06 14:09:09[/posting]nein, das ist quasi dasselbe wie gestern abend nachbörslich. Es sind also nicht schon wieder "neue" 8% Minus.

Wir sind ja erstmal halbwegs auf der sicheren Seite mit unseren (Teil-)Verkäufen, ABV2003.

Aber du machst dir scheinbar schon Gedanken ggf. auch was zu verpassen, oder? Timing ist wirklich sehr sehr schwierig und klappt selten. Selbst wenn sie richtig nach unten durchgereicht wird, wo geht man wieder rein? 30 - 27 - 25 USD ? Ist echt schwierig...

[ABV2003]

Klar! Wenn ich grundsätzlich nicht von Vertex überzeugt wäre, könnte mir alles egal sein. Dass die 8% heute vorbörslich die gleichen sind wie gestern nachbörslich war schon klar. Charlie01 hatte nur angemerkt, dass nur sehr wenig Handel nachbörslich war und ob das heute so weiter geht, wollte er erst einmal abwarten. Hätte ja auch sein können, das wir heute doch etwas höher starten. Das hatte ich damit gemeint. Der Satz, daß der Verfall weiter geht, war auf die Kursverluste der ganzen Woche bezogen - da gab´s ja schon mal was auf die Mütze.

[ABV2003]

Konsolidierung läuft weiter. Mal schauen bis wohin.

Viele Grüße an alle

[charlie01]

[posting]20.671.135 von ABV2003 am 14.03.06 09:07:00[/posting]...bis in den Bereich 27 - 30 $

Das ganze dauert ca. 4-6 Monate und dann sollten wieder positive Daten zu VX-950 kommen!!

[charlie01]

Human Genome Sciences shares tumbled Tuesday following the release of mixed Phase II clinical data for its biologic drug candidate to treat hepatitis C, Albuferon.
Shares of Human Genome sank 20% to close at $10.89.

...schlecht für Human Genome Sciences, gut für Vertex!!

Wird VX-950 ein Erfolg, werden Umsätze von 1,7 Milliarden $/Jahr in Aussicht gestellt!!

Die Antwort ob VX-950 ein Knaller wird, kommt noch dieses Jahr!!

Nachdem wir die Korrektur (wegen VX-702) hoffentlich hinter uns haben, werden wir wohl eher wieder in den Bereich >40$ kommen.

Kritik mus ich noch an der Strategie von Vertex machen, denn wie kann man VX-702 mit Enbrel von Amgen vergleichen und dann solche Daten liefern, wo man einfach noch abwarten muß ob VX-702 in solche Regionen aufsteigen kann.

[betterthantherest]

Market Scan
Vertex Pharma`s Hep C Drug Could See $1.7B Sales
Peter Kang, 03.14.06, 4:55 PM ET

ThinkEquity Partners lowered the price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals to $40 from $48 and said more data will be needed in order to determine the potential of experimental arthritis drug VX-702.

Last week, Vertex (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) shares fell 15% after the company reported disappointing mid-stage data for the rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The results met the study`s primary endpoint but patient response rates fell below that of current drugs such as Enbrel, a drug made by biotech giant Amgen (nasdaq: AMGN - news - people ).

"In light of last week`s less-than-impressive VX-702 results, we are removing the investigative drug from our earnings model and instead focusing exclusively on the potential of VX-950," wrote analyst Andrew McDonald, in a report sent to clients Tuesday morning.

"Positive results from the upcoming VX-702 trial in combination with methotrexate may restore our confidence, but until that time, we are taking a `wait and see` approach."

McDonald and a number of other Wall Street analysts still have high hopes for VX-950, a developmental-stage treatment for hepatitis C. Sales of VX-950 are expected to peak at $1.4 billion in 2011, according to McDonald.

The analyst said VX-950 has a chance of receiving regulatory approval earlier than expected if results of two upcoming mid-stage trials prove the drug`s efficacy, which would allow the company to circumvent a large-scale Phase III trial.

"This would give VX-950 a one-year advantage over the competition and the ability to reach a forecast $1.7 billion of sales by 2011," he said.

Vertex is competing with Schering-Plough (nyse: SGP - news - people ) to bring the first protease inhibitor treatment of hepatitis C to the market.

http://www.forbes.com/markets/2006/03/14/vertex-pharmaceutic…

[charlie01]

An alle Charttechniker: Chartanalyse von VRTX würde mich interessieren!!
Der langfristige Chart sieht in meinen Augen immer noch sehr gut aus!!!

[blb]

Hiermit erkläre ich die Korrektur bei Vertex für beendet!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

@Charlie: Mich würden v.a. die Retracements interessieren. Der Bereich 45-50$ dürfte entscheidend sein, darüber is the sky the only limit...

[ABV2003]

Das ist unglaublich!! Vertex ist so ziemlich der stärkste Wert, den ich seit ca. 15 Monaten kenne. Werde wieder Positionen aufbauen. Ich glaube ich habe mich mit dem Verkauf geirrt!

[charlie01]

[posting]20.724.214 von ABV2003 am 16.03.06 08:56:33[/posting]Dann bist du wieder an Bord???!!!

Wieso geirrt?? Mit 320% Gewinn kann man sich doch nicht irren!!

Hättest vielleicht doch über einen Teilverkauf nachdenken sollen. Wieviele Stücke hast du denn verkauft?

Heute ist wieder eine Präsentation:
Ian Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vertex, will present at the Citigroup 2006 Small & Mid-Cap Conference. The presentation and discussion will be conducted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 9:25 a.m. PST (12:25 p.m. EST).

Welcher Pharmariese kommt denn als Partner für VX-950 ins Gespräch?

Bei einer Partnerschaft für VX-950 gehe ich davon aus, das Vertex ab 2007 (spätestens ab 2008) schwarze Zahlen schreibt!!

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.731.413 von charlie01 am 16.03.06 11:32:52[/posting]Bin schon wieder mit kleineren Mengen an Bord. Durchschnittskurs ist momentan so hoch, wie ich raus bin (incl. Gebühren) Also: Außer Spesen nichts gewesen. Stopp! Sollte Vertex fallen, kann ich die Verluste am Ende des Jahres realisieren und von den anderen Gewinnen abschreiben.

Werde noch weiter aufstocken, aber nicht um jeden Preis. Und von der Menge hatte ich ja auch schon gesagt, dass es nur eine kleine Beimischung im Depot war, ist und bleibt (ich bewege mich nicht wie manch andere hier im hohen 5stelligen oder gar 6stelligen Bereich!). Leider! Sonst wären 320% natürlich genial gewesen. Ich werde es erst einmal im mittleren bis oberen 4stelligen Bereich halten!

[charlie01]

...und wieder 40 $$ im Visier!!

[charlie01]

Super Chart!! Vertex go!!

[koledin]

!

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

[ABV2003]

!

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

[koledin]

!

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

[charlie01]

!

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

[igla]

Wieder eine Korrektuhr?

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.872.226 von igla am 20.03.06 17:19:36[/posting]Das werden wir jetzt hin und wieder immer mal wieder sehen. Vertex ist in den Blickpunkt vieler gerückt, die natürlich auch anfangen, mit dem Wert "zu spielen".

[igla]

Ich kaufe Mir aber noch Welche...bin schon lange hier investiert

[charlie01]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcast of its Presentation at the 2006 Bear Stearns Biotech West Coast Confab
Monday March 20, 4:05 pm ET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) will webcast its corporate presentation at the 2006 Bear Stearns Biotech West Coast Confab. The presentation and discussion will be delivered by Ian Smith, Vertex`s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, on Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. PST (8:30 p.m. EST).

The presentation and discussion will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting Vertex`s website at http://www.vrtx.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company`s website until April 6, 2006. To access the webcast, go to Vertex`s website and select `2006 Bear Biotech West Coast Confab.` To ensure a timely connection to the webcast, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company`s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex`s product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex`s press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contact:
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

[igla]

"M"ist da,oder?

[charlie01]

Vertex mit neuer Homepage.

Die Pipeline sieht anders aus als vorher.

Pralnacasan und Merimodib sind nicht mehr dabei.

Ist das der Grund für den gestrigen Verlust?

Mal sehen wie es heute weiter geht!!

[ABV2003]

[posting]20.908.087 von charlie01 am 22.03.06 15:07:44[/posting]Glaube ich nicht. Es war doch angekündigt, dass man sich auf die Top-Produkte konzentrieren will - oder habe ich das falsch in Erinnerung?

[charlie01]

[posting]20.910.172 von ABV2003 am 22.03.06 16:40:12[/posting]...ist nur die Frage ob das auch alle so wie du verstanden haben!!

Ist schon merkwürdig wenn die Pipeline auf einmal weniger Kandidaten aufweist.

Naja, hoffentlich ist es auch mal wieder nur die Votalität dieser Aktie.

[charlie01]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.910.558 von charlie01 am 22.03.06 16:58:39

Im Magazin "Wert & Wachstum" hat man Vertex neu aufgenommen.
Besser gesagt B. Förtsch.

geht mal auf folgenden Link:

http://www.vermoegensaufbau-fonds.de/xist4c/web/Die-Anlagest…

und dann könnt ihr "Das Magazun zum Fonds" als pdf-Format herunterladen!!

[charlie01]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 20.990.966 von charlie01 am 29.03.06 14:20:18

...HALLO!! Keiner mehr hier???

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation of Phase II Development Program for Aurora Kinase Inhibitor MK-0457 (VX-680)
Wednesday April 5, 7:00 am ET
-- Vertex earns $10 million milestone payment --

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) today announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical development program for VX-680, an investigational drug candidate targeting Aurora kinase. In connection with the initiation of Phase II development, Vertex earned a $10 million milestone payment in March 2006 from Merck & Co., Inc. Vertex and Merck have a global collaboration to develop and commercialize VX-680.

ADVERTISEMENT
The initiation of Phase II development for VX-680 is based on the enrollment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer in a Phase II extension of a previous Phase I clinical study. In addition, Merck expects to initiate a Phase II clinical study for VX-680 in patients with advanced lung cancer this year.

"We continue to make progress in the development of VX-680 as marked by the initiation of the Phase II clinical development program," said Stephen H. Friend, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Oncology at Merck Research Laboratories. "This Phase II study represents a continuation of our efforts to broadly assess the activity of VX-680 in a range of solid tumors and hematologic cancers."

"VX-680's advancement to Phase II clinical development underscores the rapid progress that we and Merck have made to characterize the activity of this novel, potential cancer treatment," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex.

Phase II Study in Colorectal Cancer

The initiation of Phase II development for VX-680 is based on the enrollment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who may have received up to three prior cancer treatments. The open-label, non-randomized study will enroll approximately 20 patients and is being conducted at major cancer treatment centers in the U.S.

Additional information on clinical trials for VX-680 is available at the National Institutes of Health clinical trial database at http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov (a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health developed by the National Library of Medicine).

AACR Presentation

On Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at the 97th Annual Meeting for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Washington, DC, Vertex scientists presented a poster titled "Structural Basis for Potent Inhibition of the Aurora Kinases, Wild Type Abl Kinase and a T315I Multi-Drug Resistant Mutant Form of ABL Kinase by VX-680." In vitro, VX-680 is a potent inhibitor of wild type and drug resistant mutants of Abl kinase and Aurora kinases. Studies performed by Vertex scientists provide a structural interpretation for this potent inhibition and support the clinical investigation of VX-680 in patients with treatment-resistant forms of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Merck

is currently conducting a Phase I study with VX-680 in patients with hematologic cancers, including CML patients who have failed prior treatment.

VX-680 Clinical Studies

In addition to the Phase II clinical development program for VX-680 in colorectal cancer announced today, and the ongoing Phase I study in hematologic cancers, Merck is also completing a Phase I study of VX-680 administered in patients with solid tumors refractory to prior chemotherapy treatment.

Background: Aurora Kinases and the VX-680 Collaboration

Cancer cells typically contain mutations in a number of genes, which ultimately result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor metastasis. As enzymes specific for and essential to cell growth and division, Aurora kinases hold the potential to be important control points for slowing the growth and spread of tumors. Aurora kinases (A, B and C) comprise a family of serine-threonine kinases that are believed to play multiple roles in the development and progression of cancer by acting as regulators of cell proliferation, by transforming normal cells into cancer cells and by down-regulating p53, one of the body's natural tumor suppressors. Aurora kinases are known to be over-expressed in many tumor types, including colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers as well as in lymphoma and leukemias. Amplification of Aurora genes is associated with progression of colorectal cancer and poor prognosis in certain types of breast cancer.

In June 2004, Vertex entered into a global collaboration with Merck to develop and commercialize VX-680. Along with clinical development, Vertex and Merck are conducting a joint research program to characterize VX-680's activity across a broad range of cancer types and have identified an additional drug candidate targeting the Aurora kinases.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Merck expects to initiate a Phase II clinical study for VX-680 in patients with advanced lung cancer this year; and (ii) Vertex and Merck will continue to assess the activity of VX-680 in a range of solid tumors and hematologic cancers. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-680 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, or disagreements with regulatory authorities over trial design or other matters, that the scale and scope of future clinical and nonclinical studies may change and will be determined in significant part by data collected in ongoing and future trials, that further clinical studies of VX-680 may not reflect the results obtained in early clinical and nonclinical studies, that ongoing nonclinical studies, including toxicology studies, will yield currently unanticipated negative outcomes, that results from clinical trials commenced during 2005 and 2006 will be insufficient to support a Phase III program without additional trials and consequent delay in the timetable for potential approval, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

[igla]

Vertex-Arzneimittel integrierten (MM) Vertex-Arzneimittel verkünden das Datum seines Ersten Viertels 2006 Finanzieller Ergebnisse-Konferenz-Anruf und Webcast
CAMBRIDGE, Masse., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall /-- Vertex-Arzneimittel integrierten (NASDAQ:VRTX) wird sein erstes Viertel 2006 finanzielle Ergebnisse am Dienstag, der 25. April 2006 nach dem finanziellen Märkte-Ende, verkünden. Die Gesellschaft wird Gastgeber ein Konferenz-Anruf bei 5:00 nachmittags EDT sein. Der Konferenz-Anruf wird auch webcast sein.
Die lebenden webcast werden allen interessierten Parteien durch website von Scheitel zur Verfügung stehen, http://www.vrtx.com /, und wird bis zu den 9. Mai 2006 auf website der Gesellschaft archiviert werden. Um auf den webcast zuzugreifen, gehen Sie zur Investor-Stelle und auserlesen ' Ereignisse & Vorträge. ' um eine rechtzeitige Verbindung sicherzustellen, wird es empfohlen, daß Benutzer 15 Minuten wenigstens vorausgehend zum planmäßigen webcast registrieren.
Über Vertex
Vertex-Arzneimittel, die integriert werden, sind eine globale Biotechnik-Gesellschaft, die zur Entdeckung und der Entwicklung von Durchbruch begangen wird, die kleines Molekül für ernste Krankheiten vergiftet. Die Strategie der Gesellschaft sollte seine Produkte unabhängig beide kommerzialisieren und in Zusammenarbeit mit bedeutenden pharmazeutischen Gesellschaften. Die Produkt-Pipeline von Scheitel wird hauptsächlich auf Virus Krankheiten, Aufflammen, autoimmune-Krankheiten und Krebs konzentriert. Vertex Mit-fördert das HIV protease Schutzmittel, Lexiva, mit GlaxoSmithKline.
Lexiva ist ein eingeschriebenes Warenzeichen von der GlaxoSmithKline Gruppe von Gesellschaften.
Die Presse-Freilassungen von Vertex sind bei http://www.vrtx.com verfügbar /.
Vertex-Kontakt: Lora Spitze, Manager, Investor Relations, (617)-444-6755
DATASOURCE: Vertex-Arzneimittel integrierten
KONTAKT: Lora Spitze, Manager, Investor Relations bei Vertex,
[phone]
Web Stelle: http://www.vrtx.com /
Gesellschaft-Nachricht-Auf-Anruf: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[blb]

Geht ja ganz schön runter heute! Habt ihr ne Ahnung, warum die Biotechs heute allgemein so schwach sind?

[blb]

Artikel über Hepatitis C:

http://www.thestreet.com/stocks/pharmaceuticals/10277576.htm…

[igla]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.109.349 von blb am 06.04.06 19:31:59

Kurs fällt,aber heftig...

[igla]

ein Link, über Vertex...Seite 29

http://www.vermoegensaufbau-fonds.de/upload/WW_0306_screen_1…

[igla]

Guter Umsatz Heute!
Kann sein dass ein News demnächst kommt?

[igla]

Leute,was ist auf Ein Mal mit Vertex passiert !

[betterthantherest]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.166.187 von igla am 11.04.06 20:23:02

Die Nachfrage (nach Aktien) ist geringer als das Angebot, was für gewöhnlich zu sinkenden Preisen (Kursen) führt. So schwer ist das doch nicht, oder?

[blb]

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

VERTEX PHARMA UP 3.8% AT $33.95 IN PRE-OPEN: INSTINET 7:36 AM
PIPER JAFFRAY LIFTS VERTEX PHARMA PRICE TARGET TO $42 7:18 AM
VERTEX PHARMA RAISED TO OUTPERFORM BY PIPER JAFFRAY

[charlie01]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.176.766 von blb am 12.04.06 15:41:33

...und bei 35,5$$$ +ca. 8%

[blb]

Immer wieder lustig, erst verkaufen sie das Ding wie blöde und nun kommt eine eher unwichtige Kaufempfehlung und jeder stürzt sich wieder auf die Aktie...

[ABV2003]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.179.422 von blb am 12.04.06 17:47:42

Normalerweise sollte man ja aussteigen, wenn es schon die Spatzen von den Dächern pfeifen. Denke aber, dass da noch ein paar US$ drinne sind. Ich behalte auf jeden Fall die Iran-Krise im Auge. Erwarte für ca. Juni/Juli einen amerikanischen Angriff. Da werden die Kurse purzeln. Ich gehe aber vorher raus und kaufe dann wieder billig ein. Hört sich pervers an, bringt aber eine Menge Geld!

[igla]

Insiderkäufe beim VERTEX,

http://www.secform4.com/insider/showhistory.php?cik=VRTX

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.232.720 von igla am 18.04.06 23:04:35

meinst du verkauefe ?

[igla]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.232.784 von julszw12 am 18.04.06 23:09:39

Wenn auch so,nur Kurs steigt...

[charlie01]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.236.484 von igla am 19.04.06 11:01:15

Weder Insiderkäufe noch Insiderverkäufe!!

geht auf folgenden link: http://finance.yahoo.com/q/it?s=VRTX

und ihr werdet merken das die Insider Aktien-Optionen ausüben!!

Vertex steigt wegen VX-950 und bald auch noch wegen VX-702!!

[igla]

Kampf um 40,-$ Marke !!!

[igla]

Zacks.com announces that Nadine Wong highlights: Vertex


CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2006--

Nadine Wong, editor of the BioTech Stock Report
newsletter, says the pullback of Vertex's (Nasdaq: VRTX) share price
has created an opportunity for investors to acquire shares. Click here
for the full story exclusively on Zacks.com:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=84
Highlights from the April 17 Featured Expert column by Nadine Wong include:

An Opportunity

In early March, Vertex (Nasdaq: VRTX) released Phase II data for VX-702 indicating that the drug performed better than the placebo and was statistically significant as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Surprisingly, the company's share price fell.

So far VX-702 is active in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and seems to be safe enough to warrant further exploration of its potential. Vertex will initiate a Phase II dose-ranging study testing VX-702 in combination with methotrexate, a commonly used therapy for RA, starting in mid-2006. This trial will provide the means to compare one or the other, VX-702 versus TNF-alpha inhibitors. Superiority over methotrexate alone is what needs to be achieved in this study. Because VX-702 is taken only once daily and is an oral medication, data showing comparable efficacy with TNF-alpha inhibitors in combination with methotrexate should suffice to make VX-702 a serious contender in the rheumatoid arthritis market.

Nadine Wong and her team thought there would be profit-taking once the company announced this data and rated the company as a hold. (The market had some lingering concerns that the VX-702 results may be a disappointment.) Now that this news has been digested, the stock's momentum should pickup with the release of Phase II 3-month data for VX-950 that is expected around year-end. The pullback of Vertex's share price has created an opportunity for investors to acquire shares at a reasonable price.

Read Nadine Wong's complete commentary by clicking: http://at.zacks.com/?id=85

About Zacks Featured Experts

Successful investing requires professional advice from knowledgeable experts who can help investors achieve their financial goals in good markets and improve their portfolios, especially in bad ones. That is why Zacks Investment Research has assembled the best investment experts in the business to offer their powerful advisory newsletters on all the major investment topics: Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures etc.

Additional recommendations from Zacks.com Featured Experts are highlighted in the free investment newsletter, Profit from the Pros. Each issue highlights several Featured Experts in this free e-mail newsletter. Register for a free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=86

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=87

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Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Source: Zacks.com

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2006 Financial Results
-- Company on Track to Achieve Clinical, Research and Corporate Objectives --

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) today reported consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

"Vertex is achieving key clinical objectives that have the potential to build significant value for shareholders," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. "We continue to be on track to gain important clinical data in 2006 on key product candidates that we are evaluating for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cystic fibrosis (CF). With VX-950, we are expanding our global Phase II program in HCV patients. We expect that this program will position us to understand whether a sustained viral response (SVR) can be achieved with shorter treatment duration than the current standard of care. Based on the results from the Phase II VeRA study with VX-702, we expect to begin in the second half of 2006 a major Phase II study of VX-702 on a background of methotrexate in patients with RA. We also are on track to begin, in the second quarter, the first Phase I clinical study of VX-770, our novel potentiator compound for CF, with the goal of initiating our first study in patients with CF in the second half of the year."

First Quarter Results

The non-GAAP loss, before charges for stock-based compensation, restructuring, and a cumulative benefit of adopting FAS 123(R), for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $42.2 million, or $0.39 per share, compared to a non-GAAP loss, before charges, of $41.8 million, or $0.53 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The Company's first quarter 2006 non-GAAP loss reflected continued revenue growth, which offset increased development investment as the Company continued to advance its proprietary drug candidates.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company's net loss on a GAAP basis was $50.1 million, or $0.47 per share. This included stock-based compensation expense of approximately $8.1 million, a cumulative benefit related to the adoption of FAS 123(R) of $1.0 million, and restructuring expense of approximately $0.8 million. The net loss on a GAAP basis for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was $44.7 million, or $0.56 per share. The 2005 GAAP net loss includes stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.0 million, and restructuring expense of approximately $1.9 million.

Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 increased to $39.1 million from $28.6 million for the first quarter of 2005, reflecting an increase in revenue from collaborative research and development agreements, including approximately $8.8 million of milestone revenue from Merck & Co. for the initiation of Phase II development of VX-680.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $75.2 million, including $6.4 million of stock-based compensation, compared to $57.4 million, including $0.8 million of stock-based compensation, for the first quarter of 2005. Our development investment increased to prepare for and conduct later stage clinical trials of product candidates in hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis and the first clinical trials with VX-770 in CF, as well as an increase in the charge for stock-based compensation.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $12.9 million, including $1.7 million of stock-based compensation, compared to $9.6 million, including $0.2 million of stock-based compensation, for the first quarter of 2005.

Other income, net, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 was $1.6 million, compared to other expense, net, of $2.3 million for the first quarter in 2005. This improvement primarily resulted from the Company's reduction of outstanding debt in 2005.

At March 31, 2006, Vertex had approximately $378.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, $42.1 million in principal amount of convertible debt due September 2007 and $118.0 million in principal amount of convertible debt due February 2011.

First Quarter Achievements and 2006 Objectives

Clinical Objectives * Continue to advance proprietary Vertex compounds: VX-950 -- In January, Vertex announced preliminary results from a small Phase Ib clinical study of VX-950 dosed in combination with pegylated interferon. In this study, patients receiving a combination of VX- 950 dosed with peg-IFN achieved a median 5.5-log10 reduction in HCV RNA at 14 days.

-- In February, Vertex announced preliminary results from a 12-patient, 28-day Phase II study of VX-950 in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. In this study, 12 of 12 patients had plasma HCV RNA levels below the limits of detection of a highly sensitive assay (10 IU/mL; Roche TaqMan(R)) at 28 days of dosing.

-- Vertex is on track to move forward with its global Phase II clinical program for VX-950. Key objectives of the program will be to evaluate the optimal SVR rate that can be achieved with VX-950 therapy in combination with the standard of care, to evaluate the optimal treatment duration for VX-950, and to evaluate the role of ribavirin in VX-950-based therapy. Beginning in the second quarter, Vertex plans to conduct Phase II studies in the U.S. and Europe that will dose more than 500 genotype 1 HCV patients with VX-950. In these studies, Vertex expects to evaluate 12-week combination regimens of VX-950 in treatment-naive patients, including regimens involving various durations of pegylated interferon and ribavirin follow-on therapy as well as regimens involving no additional therapy. As part of this broad Phase II program, Vertex plans to conduct a major study in HCV patients who have failed prior interferon-based treatment.

-- Vertex researchers are presenting data on VX-950 at two major medical conferences. Three abstracts have been accepted for presentation at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) being held this week. One abstract has been accepted as a late-breaker presentation at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW(R)) conference being held in May.

VX-702 -- In March, Vertex announced that VX-702 met its primary objectives in the 12-week Phase II VeRA clinical study involving 315 patients. A preliminary analysis indicated that VX-702 was well-tolerated through 12 weeks of dosing, and demonstrated statistically significant effects on signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

-- Vertex expects to initiate in the second half of 2006 a three or six- month Phase II clinical study of VX-702 on a background of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

VX-770 -- Vertex is on track to begin clinical development of VX-770 in the U.S. in the second quarter under an open investigational new drug (IND) filing. In March, Vertex and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT) announced that they entered into a new collaboration to accelerate development of VX-770. As part of the agreement, CFFT is scheduled to pay Vertex approximately $13.3 million in developmental support through 2007.

* Continue to advance collaborator-led compounds: VX-680 -- In April, Vertex and Merck & Co. announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical development program for VX-680. Merck is now enrolling patients with advanced colorectal cancer in a Phase II extension of a previous Phase I clinical study. Vertex expects Merck to begin a Phase II clinical study of VX-680 in patients with advanced lung cancer in 2006. VX-680 is an investigational drug candidate targeting Aurora kinase.

-- In April, Vertex researchers presented a poster at the 97th Annual Meeting for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Washington, DC, supporting the clinical investigation of VX-680 in patients with treatment-resistant forms of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In addition, clinical researchers plan to present the first clinical data for VX-680 in patients with solid tumors in an oral presentation at the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June in Atlanta.

Brecanavir (VX-385) -- Brecanavir is a novel HIV protease inhibitor currently being evaluated in a Phase IIb study as part of a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Vertex expects data from the Phase IIb study of brecanavir to become available this year, and also expects GSK to initiate Phase III clinical development of brecanavir in 2006.

VX-409 -- VX-409 is a novel, subtype-selective ion channel modulator being developed for the treatment of pain in collaboration with GSK.

Vertex expects GSK to conduct preclinical development of VX-409 in preparation for Phase I development in early 2007.

Corporate Objectives

* Maintain strong revenue and capital structure to support investment in proprietary products

* Sign new collaborations, focused on later-stage development assets

* Continue to generate strong HIV product royalties, and achieve milestones from existing collaborations

Full Year 2006 Financial Guidance

This section contains forward-looking guidance about the financial outlook for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Vertex today reiterated its financial guidance for the full year of 2006. The Company expects a non-GAAP loss, excluding restructuring charges and stock-based compensation expense, in the range of $165 to $185 million. The Company expects that the full year 2006 GAAP loss will be in the range of $205 to $225 million. The 2006 GAAP loss includes an estimate of stock-based compensation expense of approximately $34 million, and restructuring expense of approximately $6 million as a result of imputed interest charges relating to the restructuring accrual.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, Vertex's financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Vertex provides its first quarter 2006 loss, and guidance for a full year 2006 loss, excluding certain charges and gains and stock-based compensation expense, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company's business and are important in comparing current results with prior period results. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, and to manage the Company's business and to evaluate its performance.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex (i) is on track to gain important clinical data in 2006 on proprietary product candidates being evaluated for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and cystic fibrosis (CF); (ii) plans to expand its global Phase II program for VX-950, beginning in the second quarter, as set forth above, and during the initial phase of the program it expects to dose more than 500 treatment-naive, genotype 1 HCV patients; (iii) as part of its expanded phase II program, expects to begin in the second half of 2006 a major Phase II study of VX-950 in patients who have failed prior therapies; (iv) expects to begin in the second half of 2006 a major Phase II study of VX-702 on a background of methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; (v) is on track to begin a Phase I clinical study in the second quarter of VX-770, a novel potentiator for CF, and will initiate a first study in patients in the second half of the year; (vi) expects that Merck will initiate a Phase II clinical study of VX-680 in patients with advanced lung cancer in 2006; (vii) expects that data from the Phase IIb study of brecanavir will become available this year, and that GSK will initiate Phase III clinical development of brecanavir in 2006; (viii) expects that GSK will conduct preclinical development of VX-409 in preparation for Phase I development in early 2007; (ix) expects to sign new collaborations, focused on later-stage development assets; (x) expects to achieve its financial guidance for 2006 as set forth above. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that any one or more of Vertex's internal drug development programs, including its proposed Phase II studies of VX-950 and VX-702, and its proposed Phase I study of VX-770, or its development programs with collaborators, will not proceed as planned for technical, scientific or commercial reasons, or due to FDA disagreement study designs (including the proposed design of VX-950, VX-702 and VX-770 studies), patient enrollment issues or judgments based on new information from non-clinical or clinical studies or from other sources, that one or more of the Company's assumptions underlying its revenue expectations -- including clinical and scientific progress that could lead to milestone payments under existing collaboration agreements or other payments under new collaborations -- or its expense expectations -- including estimates of the variables that go into determining stock-based compensation costs -- will not be realized, that Vertex will be unable to realize one or more of its financial objectives for 2006 due to unexpected and costly program delays (including delays due to regulatory action or lack of action) or any number of other financial, technical or collaboration considerations, that unexpected costs associated with one or more of the Company's programs will necessitate a reduction in its investment in other programs or a change in the Company's financial projections, that future competitive or other market factors may adversely impact the commercial potential for the Company's product candidates in HCV and inflammation and other areas, that due to scientific, medical or technical developments, the Company's drug discovery efforts will not ultimately result in commercial products or assets that can generate collaboration revenue, that Vertex will be unable to enter into new collaborative relationships to support its research and development programs on acceptable terms, or at all, that the key estimates and assumptions underlying the Company's forward-looking statements will turn out to be incorrect or not reflective of changing scientific knowledge or business conditions in the future, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 2006 First Quarter Results Consolidated Statement of Operations Data (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 2005

Revenues: Royalties $9,179 $6,153 Collaborative and other R&D revenues 29,908 22,453 Total revenues $39,087 $28,606

Costs and expenses: Royalty payments $2,995 $2,030 Research and development (includes stock-based compensation expense under FAS 123(R): 2006-$6,406, 2005- $837) 75,202 57,435 Sales, general & administrative (includes stock-based compensation expense under FAS 123(R): 2006-$1,719, 2005- $194) 12,879 9,627 Restructuring expense 767 1,914 Total costs and expenses $91,843 $71,006

Loss from operations $(52,756) $(42,400)

Other income (expense), net 1,623 (2,320) Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $(51,133) $(44,720)

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle - FAS 123(R) $1,046 ----

Net loss $(50,087) $(44,720)

Basic and diluted loss per common share before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $(0.48) $(0.56)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - basic and diluted $0.01 ----

Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(0.47) $(0.56)

Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding 107,440 79,428

Non-GAAP Loss Reconciliation (1) Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 2005 GAAP Net Loss $(50,087) $(44,720) Pro Forma Adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense included in R&D (Note 2): $6,406 $837 Stock-based compensation expense included in SG&A (Note 2): 1,719 194

Total stock-based compensation expense $8,125 $1,031

Restructuring expense (Note 4) $767 $1,914

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle - FAS 123(R) (Note 3) $(1,046) ----

Non-GAAP Loss $(42,241) $(41,775)

Basic and diluted Non-GAAP loss per share $(0.39) $(0.53)

Note 1: Financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. These results are provided as a complement to the results in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company's business, and uses these non- GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, to manage the Company's business and to evaluate its performance.

Note 2: For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company incurred $8.1 million in stock compensation expense of which $6.4 million is included in research and development expenses and $1.7 million is included in sales, general and administrative expenses. Stock compensation expense includes costs associated with restricted stock, stock option awards and employee stock purchase shares, which were recorded in connection with provisions of FAS 123(R), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". FAS 123(R) requires companies to record stock-based payments in the financial statements using a fair value method. The Company adopted FAS 123(R) on a modified prospective basis beginning January 1, 2006.

For the three months ended March 31, 2005 the Company recorded $1.0 million of stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock awards.

Note 3: FAS 123(R) requires companies to recognize expense only for shares the Company expects to vest, this results in the Company estimating forfeitures on grant date. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 the Company recorded a $1.0 million benefit for the cumulative effect of the change in recording forfeitures as they occur to estimating forfeitures on grant date.

Note 4: For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred restructuring expense charges. The charge for the three months ending March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $0.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and is primarily the result of the imputed interest charge related to the restructuring liability. This expense and related liability has been estimated in accordance with FASB 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" and is reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances.


Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 2006 First Quarter Results

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In thousands) (Unaudited)

March 31, December 31, 2006 2005

Assets Cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities $378,773 $407,510 Other current assets 30,589 23,898 Property, plant and equipment, net 55,869 54,533 Restricted cash 41,482 41,482 Other noncurrent assets 17,945 21,575 Total assets $524,658 $548,998

Liabilities and Equity Other current liabilities $45,479 $54,443 Accrued restructuring expense 41,719 42,982 Deferred revenue 24,451 32,300 Collaborator development loan (due 2008) 19,997 19,997 Convertible notes (due 2007) 42,102 42,102 Convertible notes (due 2011) 117,998 117,998 Stockholders' Equity 232,912 239,176 Total liabilities and equity $524,658 $548,998 Common shares outstanding 109,873 108,153

Conference Call and Webcast: First Quarter 2006 Financial Results:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call today, April 25, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review financial results and recent developments. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com/ in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International). Alternatively, Vertex is providing a podcast MP3 file available for download on the Vertex website, http://www.vrtx.com/.

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing April 25, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. EDT running through 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 2, 2006. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 7661044. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex's website until 5:00 p.m. ET on May 9, 2006.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications,

[phone], or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,

[phone], or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

all of Vertex


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) New Data Highlight Anti-HCV Activity of Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor VX-950
Results to be Presented at 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver

VIENNA, Austria, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) today announced that researchers will present new data supporting clinical development of VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor being developed for the treatment of hepatitis C, at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in Vienna. Two abstracts will be presented on Thursday, April 27 based on a clinical trial originally conducted in 2005. In the first presentation, researchers will review long-term viral sequencing follow-up data that showed that in patients previously dosed with VX-950 as a single agent for 14 days, a sub-optimal treatment period, wild-type virus supplanted treatment-emergent variants and that sensitivity to future treatment regimens that include VX-950 or other HCV protease inhibitors may be regained. In a second presentation, researchers will describe results of a whole genome analysis that suggests that the expression level of interferon-sensitive genes may be restored with VX-950 treatment. An additional late-breaker oral presentation will be delivered on Saturday, April 29. Taken together, these results strongly support further investigation of VX-950 for the treatment of hepatitis C.

"Data from early clinical studies have consistently shown a rapid and dramatic reduction in viral load in patients treated with VX-950, with good tolerability," said John Alam, M.D., EVP, Medicines Development, and Chief Medical Officer of Vertex. "We are pleased to share the results of these extensive viral sequencing and gene expression analyses with the HCV medical community and discuss the implications of our findings for future clinical studies."

Viral Sequencing Analysis

In a previously presented analysis from a clinical study of VX-950 dosed as a single agent that was completed in 2005, viral variants were detected after 14 days of dosing with VX-950 alone. These viral variants displayed varying degrees of sensitivity to VX-950, depending on VX-950 plasma exposure observed during 14 days of dosing. In an oral presentation at EASL titled "Wild-type HCV NS3 Protease Re-emerges During Follow-up After 14 days of Dosing with VX-950 in Patients with Genotype 1 HCV," researchers describe HCV RNA sequencing results that showed that following 14 days of dosing as a single agent, the viral population in patients returned within three to seven months as predominantly wild-type, the virus phenotype present before treatment. The findings from this study suggest that viral variants associated with decreased susceptibility to VX-950 may have reduced replicative fitness in patients. The study further suggests that some HCV-infected patients who have been treated with VX-950 monotherapy for 14 days, a sub-optimal treatment period, may regain sensitivity to VX-950, and that treatment failure may not compromise future therapeutic options.

Gene Expression Analysis

In a poster presentation titled "Antiviral Activity of VX-950 Resolves Expression of an HCV-Associated Gene Signature," Vertex researchers describe data suggesting a normalization of gene expression in peripheral blood cells in hepatitis C patients responding to VX-950 treatment to levels similar to those of healthy, uninfected patients. In the gene expression analysis, researchers identified 258 genes that are differentially expressed in the setting of chronic HCV infection, including a large number of genes associated with viral response, cellular defense and immune response. In patients who achieved the greatest reduction in plasma HCV RNA following 14 days of dosing, sustained levels of interferon-sensitive gene expression were observed in peripheral blood cells.

Late-breaker: Phase Ib Combination Study

A late-breaker oral presentation titled "Initial Results of a 14-Day Study of the Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor VX-950, In Combination with Peginterferon-alfa-2a" will be presented on Saturday, April 29, by Henk W. Reesink, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. In accordance with embargo rules for the EASL conference, these data will first be disclosed publicly in conjunction with the presentation at 5:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time (11:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time) on Saturday, April 29.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting more than 3 million individuals in the United States and 170 worldwide, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death. The burden of liver disease associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies only provide sustained benefit in about 50% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus. Novel HCV-specific compounds in clinical development have the potential to increase the proportion of patients who can eradicate the virus.

About VX-950

VX-950 is an investigational oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication. In early 2006, Vertex reported results from a 28-day, Phase II study of VX-950 dosed in combination with peg-IFN and ribavirin. In this study, 12 of 12 patients had plasma HCV RNA levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL) at 28 days. There were no treatment discontinuations and no serious adverse events reported. In previous studies, the most common adverse events reported in both the placebo and VX-950 patients were headache, frequent urination and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) HCV-infected patients who have been treated with VX-950 monotherapy for 14 days may regain sensitivity to VX-950; and (ii) the expression level of interferon-sensitive genes may be restored with VX-950 treatment. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that future studies will not confirm expectations based on the previous studies referenced in this release, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications,

[phone], or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,

[phone], or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone],

or Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone], all of

Vertex


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.329.435 von igla am 26.04.06 15:08:16

also alles schoen und gut aber letztendlich keine grossen Neuigkeiten. Die Daten, die auf den Konferenzen vorgestellt werden sind interessant waren aber so zu erwarten.

Was sagt uns der Geschaeftsbericht gross ? entweder 950 wird was oder nicht, das ist die einzig entscheidenen Frage. Ich finde persoenlich immer den Posten Aktienoptionen aergerlich immerhin 6 Million bei so einer kleinen Firma.

das einzige Interessante ist der Ausblick:
"Vertex is on track to move forward with its global Phase II clinical program for VX-950. Key objectives of the program will be to evaluate the optimal SVR rate that can be achieved with VX-950 therapy in combination with the standard of care, to evaluate the optimal treatment duration for VX-950, and to evaluate the role of ribavirin in VX-950-based therapy. Beginning in the second quarter, Vertex plans to conduct Phase II studies in the U.S. and Europe that will dose more than 500 genotype 1 HCV patients with VX-950. In these studies, Vertex expects to evaluate 12-week combination regimens of VX-950 in treatment-naive patients, including regimens involving various durations of pegylated interferon and ribavirin follow-on therapy as well as regimens involving no additional therapy. As part of this broad Phase II program, Vertex plans to conduct a major study in HCV patients who have failed prior interferon-based treatment."

Also, auf Kostolany hoeren, nicht auf den Kurs schauen und naechstes Jahr sprechen wir uns wieder....

[julszw12]

P.s. leider erwaehnen sie in dem Ausblick nicht ob sie nun wirklich einen 24 week arm in die Studie einbauen, das waere sehr geschickt und wuerde zeigen, das die jungs auch defensiv spielen koennen

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.331.648 von julszw12 am 26.04.06 16:40:26

hier der link zum gesamten conference call

http://seekingalpha.com/article/9519


die aktie ist sicher nichts fuer Ungeduldige...

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.331.648 von julszw12 am 26.04.06 16:40:26

und das noch:

Vertex slides on deeper quarterly loss
E-mail | Print | RSS Feed | Disable live quotes
By Val Brickates Kennedy, MarketWatch
Last Update: 11:57 AM ET Apr 26, 2006

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals was trading significantly lower early Wednesday, the morning after the biotech group reported a widened first-quarter loss due largely to costs associated with clinical trials for its two leading drug candidates.
Shares of Vertex (VRTX :
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VRTX34.33, -3.17, -8.5% ) skidded 9% to $34.26 in late morning trade.
Late Tuesday, Vertex reported net loss of $50.1 million, or 47 cents a share, compared with a loss of $44.7 million, or 56 cents a share, for the same period last year. Both quarters included charges for stock option expensing and restructuring.
Excluding special items, Vertex would have reported an adjusted net loss of 39 cents a share, compared with a loss of 53 cents last year.
Revenue rose to $39.1 million, from $28.6 million last year. However, this was offset by a spike in research and development costs, which grew to $75.2 million, from $57.4 million last year.
Vertex has been developing a treatment for hepatitis C, called VX-905, which is currently in Phase II clinical trials. The company has also been running Phase II trials for its compound VX-702, a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
The biotech group also reaffirmed its 2006 financial forecast on Tuesday, stating it sees a loss in the range of $205 to $225 million, and an adjusted loss of $165 million to $185 million. End of Story

[igla]

Last:

35.93 vrtx - VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Change:

+1.11 % Change:

+3.19% High:

36.46 Low:

34.52 Volume:

348,577

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcasts of its Presentations at Two Investor Conferences

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) will webcast its presentations at Deutsche Bank's 31st Annual Health Care Conference on May 2, 2006 and at Morgan Stanley's Global Healthcare Unplugged Conference on May 4, 2006.

Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex, will present at the Deutsche Bank Health Care Conference on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. EDT and will also participate in an HCV Panel at 4:45 p.m. EDT.

Ian Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vertex, will present at the Morgan Stanley Global Healthcare Conference. The presentation and discussion will be conducted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

The presentations will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the webcasts will also be available on the Company's website for two weeks following the presentations. To access the webcasts, go to Vertex's website and select the 'Deutsche Bank 31st Annual Health Care Conference' or the 'Deutsche Bank HCV Panel' or the 'Morgan Stanley 2006 Global Healthcare Unplugged Conference' from the 'Events Calendar.' To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations of Vertex,

[phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.374.531 von igla am 29.04.06 11:31:38

Vertex abstract der Presentation in Wien:

737
INITIAL RESULTS OF A 14-DAY STUDY OF THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS INHIBITOR PROTEASE VX-950, IN COMBINATION WITH PEGINTERFERON-ALFA-2A
1Academic Medical Center,Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany, 3Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
Background: VX-950 is a highly selective peptidomimetic inhibitor of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3•4A protease that is designed to block HCV replication. In a 14-day study reported previously, VX-950 monotherapy was well tolerated and had substantial antiviral effects, with every patient demonstrating at least a 2-log drop in viral load and a reduction in median HCV RNA of 4.4-log10 at the end of dosing in the best dose group. The current 14-day study was designed to explore the viral kinetics with VX-950 in combination with peginterferon- alfa-2a (Peg-IFN), and to assess safety.
Methods: The VX04-950-103 clinical study randomized twenty treatment-naïve patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C infection to three dosing arms. Eight patients received VX-950 (750 mg as tablets q8h) plus Peg-IFN on Days 1 and 8 and eight patients received VX-950 alone. Four patients received Peg-IFN alone on Days 1 and 8.
Results: VX-950 was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. The most common adverse events were headache, muscle aches, dry skin, diarrhea and nausea; each event was more frequent in the VX-950/Peg-IFN and Peg-IFN alone groups than in the VX-950 group. The median baseline plasma HCV RNA was 6.65-log IU/mL. In patients receiving VX-950/Peg-IFN, the median decrease in HCV RNA was 5.5-log10 at the end of dosing, with 6/8 patients below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL) and 4/8 below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL). None of the patients in the VX-950/Peg-IFN group had an increase in HCV RNA levels during dosing. In patients receiving VX-950 alone, the median HCV RNA decrease was 4.0-log10, with 1/8 patients below 10 IU/mL. In patients receiving Peg-IFN alone, the median HCV RNA decrease was 1.0-log10.
Conclusions: VX-950 was well tolerated, alone and with Peg-IFN, for 14 days in patients with HCV. The clinical and viral kinetic data confirm the substantial antiviral effects of VX-950 monotherapy and demonstrate increased antiviral effects of VX-950 in combination with Peg-IFN. Subsequent studies will evaluate whether VX-950, in combination with Peg-IFN, may allow HCV eradication with significantly shortened treatment duration.

[igla]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.376.682 von julszw12 am 29.04.06 17:40:28

Deine Meinung?

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.377.126 von igla am 29.04.06 18:55:28

sieht ganz gut aus. Also alleine wird VX950 sowieso nicht funktionieren. Aber die Kombination wird vertragen und scheint besser zu sein als Peg Interferon allein. Es waere schoen wenn alle Patienten gleich undetectierbar gewesen waeren aber na ja. Die naechste frage wird auch sein ob man Ribavirin mit dem Peg und 950 kombinieren wird.... Diese ganzen trials dauern halt ewig, bis man jede Kombination getestet hat.
Sollte man durch vx950 die Therapiedauer z.b. halbieren waere das ein riesen erfolg. Abwarten ....

[igla]

Bist Du in Medizinbrange tätieg?

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.379.934 von igla am 30.04.06 11:06:24

ja, das hilft aber meistens bei Aktientipps auch nicht weiter und ich kann auch nicht in die Zukunft schauen...

werde aber weiterhin versuchen nach relevanten artikeln zu Vx950 zu suchen

Zu vertex: es gibt da ein tolles Buch ueber die Geschichte von Vertex,
wirklich spannend: das Milliarden Dollar Molekul von Barry Werth

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3527293736/302-1164694…

[igla]

Was kannst Du zu "Dermisonics Inc.",WKN:A0DK4Y sagen?

[igla]

Stocks >> NEWS


Researchers Report Initial Results for 14-day Phase Ib Study of VX-950, and Pegylated Interferon, Showing Anti-HCV Activity in Combination in Hepatitis C Patients


VIENNA, Austria, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in Vienna today show that when VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX), was dosed with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R); peg-IFN), the combination was well-tolerated and achieved a dramatic reduction in plasma viral RNA levels in patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection through 14 days of dosing. At day 14, the majority of patients (6 of 8) receiving the combination had HCV RNA levels below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL, as measured by the Roche TaqMan(R) assay), and 4 of 8 patients had HCV RNA levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL, Roche TaqMan(R)). All patients enrolled in the 14-day study subsequently received follow-on treatment with peg-IFN and ribavirin (RBV). Researchers reported for the first time today that 8 of 8 patients who received VX-950 and peg-IFN in combination for 14 days have no detectable virus in their blood at the end of 12 additional weeks of peg-IFN+RBV dosing. These patients continue to receive peg-IFN+RBV therapy. All patients were offered follow-on peg-IFN+RBV treatment according to clinical practice at the investigator sites.

"In the 14-day study, VX-950 in combination with pegylated interferon produced a very rapid viral response in each of these genotype 1 patients, and no serious adverse events were observed," said Henk W. Reesink, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, and a lead investigator for the study. "The continued viral suppression during follow-on therapy points to the robustness of the viral response to VX-950 and pegylated interferon, and is encouraging for the design of future VX-950 studies that seek to evaluate the potential for short-course, curative therapy."

Study Design and Results

The 14-day, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled Phase Ib study enrolled 20 treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most prevalent and difficult to treat form of HCV infection. Patients were randomized to receive a new tablet formulation of VX-950 at a dose of 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) in combination with a standard dose of peg-IFN (n=8), the same dose of VX-950 administered alone (n=8), or a standard dose of peg-IFN alone (n=4). The median viral load for all patients at study entry was 6.65 log10 IU/mL HCV RNA (approximately 4.4 million IU/mL). In this Phase Ib study, the combination of VX-950 and peg-IFN produced an initial median reduction in plasma HCV RNA of more than 3 log10 in the first two days. Antiviral results for all arms after 14 days of dosing were as follows:

* A median 5.5 log10 reduction in HCV RNA was observed in patients
receiving VX-950 and peg-IFN; 6 of 8 patients had viral levels below
the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL) at 14 days, and 4 of 8 also
achieved viral levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL).
* A median 4.0 log10 reduction in HCV RNA was observed in patients
receiving VX-950 alone; 1 of 8 patients had viral levels below the
limit of detection (10 IU/mL).
* A median 1.0 log10 reduction in HCV RNA was observed in patients
receiving peg-IFN alone; no patients had viral levels below the limit of
quantitation (30 IU/mL) at 14 days.
Following the 14-day Phase Ib study, patients were rolled onto follow-on treatment with peg-IFN and ribavirin.

Safety

A complete safety review has been conducted. All patients completed dosing and no serious adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events among all treatment arms, all of which were mild to moderate in severity, were headache, myalgias, dry skin, diarrhea, nausea, chills and rash. VX-950 did not appear to substantially increase the frequency or severity of these events when added to peg-IFN, and the observed safety profile supports the evaluation of VX-950 in studies of longer duration. All adverse events in the patients receiving VX-950 alone were reported as mild. Typical interferon-related side effects, of mild to moderate severity, were reported in the patients that received peg-IFN along with VX-950 or placebo.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death. The burden of liver disease associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies only provide sustained benefit in about 50% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for HCV in clinical development have the potential to increase the proportion of patients who can eradicate the virus.

About VX-950

VX-950 is an investigational oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents that specifically targets HCV. In early 2006, Vertex reported preliminary results from a 28-day, Phase II study of VX-950 dosed in combination with peg-IFN and ribavirin. In this study, 12 of 12 patients had plasma HCV RNA levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL) at 28 days. There were no treatment discontinuations and no serious adverse events reported. In clinical studies of up to 14 days duration, the most common adverse events reported, including patients who did not receive VX-950, and regardless of possible relationship to drug, have been headache, frequent urination, gastrointestinal symptoms, myalgias, skin disorders and chills. All of these adverse events have been reported as mild to moderate in severity.

Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including a statement that results from the Phase Ib study are encouraging for the design of future VX-950 studies that seek to evaluate the potential for short-course, curative therapy. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that full analysis of the data, or further testing, will not reflect the interim results reported in this press release, or support any or all of the conclusions provided in this press release, and that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, clinical trial results may not be available when expected, or expected regulatory filings may not occur or may be delayed due to adverse clinical or non-clinical trial developments or unanticipated FDA action; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies, and Pegasys is a registered trademark of Hoffman-La Roche Inc.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]
SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

[sir1]

nabend,

es wird zeit für den rebound,


jetzt gehts wieder hoch

20 jahre boerse

[igla]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 21.423.838 von sir1 am 03.05.06 22:45:06

Rebound ist Super !
20 Jahre Börse ist nicht wenig...
Aber , warum so sicher?

[igla]

Kein Rebound

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals to Webcast its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) will webcast its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Thursday, May 11, 2006. Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex, will host the webcast, which will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. EDT.

The live webcast may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website until May 25, 2006. To access the webcast, go to Vertex's website and select '2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders' from the 'Events Calendar.' To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations of Vertex

Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, [phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Stockholders of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Approve Proxy Proposals at Annual Meeting
- Company Updates Corporate Governance Practices -

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) today announced results of the voting at its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex, also provided stockholders in attendance at the meeting with a brief overview of the Company's 2006 clinical and corporate objectives.

At the meeting, stockholders approved the Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 2006 Stock and Option Plan and also re-elected all three director nominees. Each of the director nominees, Eric K. Brandt, Bruce I. Sachs, and Eve E. Slater, M.D., F.A.C.C., received a majority of votes cast. Their terms will expire at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

"I am pleased to announce that Eric Brandt, Bruce Sachs and Eve Slater have been re-elected to Vertex's Board," stated Dr. Boger. "Eric, Bruce and Eve bring a broad range of experience and expertise to our Board, and we expect that they will continue to make significant contributions to the Company in the years ahead."

At a Board of Directors meeting held subsequent to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board of Directors addressed two corporate governance issues: the creation of a non-executive Chairmanship of the Board of Directors and the adoption of a policy regarding the election of directors.

At the meeting of the Board of Directors, Charles A. Sanders, M.D. was appointed Chairman of the Board. Joshua Boger, who has been the Company's CEO since 1992, had served in the additional role of Chairman of the Board since 1997. The Board of Directors believes that the appointment of Dr. Sanders is appropriate at this time, in view of the current sentiment in the corporate community that the positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO should be held by separate individuals. Dr. Sanders has been a member of Vertex's Board since 1996 and serves as the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors. He has held various leadership positions at major pharmaceutical companies, including Chairman of Glaxo Inc. and Vice Chairman at Squibb Corporation. Dr. Boger will continue to serve as the Company's President and CEO.

"I am pleased to announce that Charles Sanders has agreed to serve as Chairman of Vertex's Board of Directors," continued Dr. Boger. "Charlie has been invaluable to the Company during his more than 10 years on our Board. As Chairman, he will strengthen the leadership of the Company as we continue to build our future."

In a further revision to the Company's governance practices, the Board of Directors also adopted a policy with respect to the election of directors. This policy will be incorporated into the Company's Statement of Governance Principles. Under the new policy, any nominee for director in an uncontested election who receives a greater number of votes "withheld" from his or her election than votes "for" his or her election will tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will recommend to the Board either that the Board accept or reject any such resignation or the Board take some other action to address the underlying reasons for the outcome of the vote. The Company will make a public announcement of the Board of Directors' action on any resignation tendered under the new policy. The full Statement of Corporate Governance Principles can be found on Vertex's website at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include the risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Webcast: Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Annual Meeting of Stockholders

An archived webcast of Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Annual Meeting of Stockholders is available via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com/ in the investor center. The archived webcast will be available on Vertex's website until 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 25, 2006.

Vertex Contacts: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,

[phone], or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone],

both of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcast of its Presentation at the Bank of America Health Care Conference 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) will webcast its corporate presentation at the Bank of America Health Care Conference. The presentation and discussion will be delivered by Ian Smith, Vertex's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and John Alam, M.D., Vertex's Executive Vice President, Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 10:40 a.m. PDT (1:40 p.m. EDT).

The presentation and discussion will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website until June 1, 2006. To access the webcast, go to Vertex's website and select 'Bank of America Health Care Conference 2006.' To ensure a timely connection to the webcast, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations of Vertex,

[phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) GlaxoSmithKline and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announce Preliminary 48-Week Results from Head-to-Head Clinical Study of HIV Proteas

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) today announced preliminary 48-week results from a head-to-head clinical study that indicated that Lexiva (Telzir; fosamprenavir calcium) 700 mg plus ritonavir 100 mg given twice daily was comparable (non-inferior) to Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir fixed-dose combination) given twice daily in treatment-naive HIV patients. All patients in the study also received a once-daily fixed-dose combination of abacavir 600 mg and lamivudine 300 mg as the backbone of antiretroviral therapy.

In the study, which enrolled 887 patients, 73 percent of patients receiving Lexiva/ritonavir maintained suppression of viral replication (less than 400 copies/mL plasma HIV RNA) after 48 weeks of dosing, compared with 71 percent of patients receiving Kaletra (Intent-to-Treat Analysis). The results will be submitted to the FDA and other health regulatory authorities when the final analysis is concluded.

Lexiva/ritonavir was compared to Kaletra in this study due to Kaletra's position as the preferred HIV protease inhibitor in HIV treatment guidelines developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the International AIDS Society (IAS). Based on these results from this study, researchers have concluded that Lexiva appears to be comparable to Kaletra and has met the primary endpoints of this non-inferiority trial.

GSK will present results from the study at a medical conference in 2006. Lexiva was co-discovered by Vertex and GlaxoSmithKline.

KLEAN Study Design and Results

The results announced today are from the KLEAN study, a randomized, open-label study of the safety and efficacy of Lexiva, dosed as 700 mg twice daily, in combination with 100 mg ritonavir twice daily, versus Kaletra, dosed as 400 mg in a fixed-dose combination with 100 mg ritonavir twice-daily, in 887 treatment-naive HIV infected adults for 48 weeks. All patients in the study received concomitant treatment with a once-daily fixed-dose combination of 600 mg abacavir and 300 mg lamivudine.

Preliminary results indicated that 73 percent of patients receiving Lexiva plus ritonavir in combination therapy maintained suppression of viral replication (less than 400 copies/mL plasma HIV RNA) after 48 weeks of dosing, compared with 71 percent of patients receiving Kaletra in combination therapy (95 percent CI, -3.26,5.47). The treatments were found to be non-inferior. These preliminary analyses therefore suggest that Lexiva has comparable activity to Kaletra based on the proportion of patients who have less than 400 copies/mL HIV RNA at 48 weeks of dosing.

Both regimens were generally well-tolerated. A total of 6 percent of subjects withdrew due to adverse events. Adverse events in this study were consistent with those described in product information for Lexiva and Kaletra.

Important Prescribing and Safety Information

LEXIVA is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection in adults. The PI-experienced patient study was not large enough to reach a definitive conclusion that LEXIVA/ritonavir and lopinavir/ritonavir are clinically equivalent. Once-daily administration of LEXIVA/ritonavir is not recommended for PI-experienced patients. LEXIVA does not cure HIV or prevent passing HIV to others.

You should not take LEXIVA if you have had an allergic reaction to LEXIVA or AGENERASE(R) (amprenavir). High blood sugar, diabetes or worsening of diabetes, and bleeding in hemophiliacs have occurred in some patients taking protease inhibitors. When you start taking HIV medicines, your immune system may get stronger and could begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body, such as pneumonia, herpes virus, or tuberculosis. If you have new symptoms after starting your HIV medicines, be sure to tell your doctor. Changes in body fat may occur in some patients taking antiretroviral therapy. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time. Skin rashes can occur in patients taking LEXIVA. Rarely, rashes were severe or life threatening. Opportunistic infections can develop when you have HIV and your immune system is weak. It is very important that you see your healthcare provider regularly while you are taking LEXIVA to discuss any side effects or concerns. Most common side effects in clinical studies were diarrhea, headache, nausea, rash, and vomiting. In most cases, these side effects did not cause people to stop taking their medicine.

For full prescribing information for LEXIVA, please visit http://www.treathiv.com/

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and an industry leader in HIV research and therapies. The company is engaged in basic research programs designed to investigate new targets to treat HIV.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that full analysis of the data, including an ongoing detailed safety analysis, or further testing, will not reflect the preliminary results reported in this press release, or support any or all of the conclusions provided in this press release; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Kaletra is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories.

Vertex Contacts: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]

GlaxoSmithKline Contact: Karen Collins, GlaxoSmithKline Product Communications, [phone] Marc Meachem, GlaxoSmithKline Product Communications, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,

[phone], or Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist,

[phone], both of Vertex; or Karen Collins or Marc Meachem, both of

GlaxoSmithKline Product Communications, [phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase I Development for VX-770 in Cystic Fibrosis
FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to VX-770

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) today announced that it has initiated a Phase I clinical study for VX-770, a novel, oral drug candidate that specifically targets a key mechanism underlying cystic fibrosis (CF). The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating single and multiple doses of VX-770 in healthy volunteers, and also will evaluate single doses of VX-770 in patients with CF. The study is expected to enroll more than 50 individuals. In March 2006, Vertex and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (CFFT) entered into a collaboration to accelerate clinical development of VX-770. CFFT is the nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Vertex retains worldwide rights to develop and commercialize VX-770.

"This first clinical study for VX-770 signifies an important milestone in the productive collaborative history that we have shared with Vertex in the discovery of novel CF therapies," said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and CFFT. "We believe that compounds such as VX-770 have great potential to change the course of CF, and we are pleased to support the accelerated development of VX-770 in early clinical studies."

"VX-770 is the first drug candidate to have emerged from our innovative CF research efforts, and the initiation of this Phase I study represents an exciting new stage in the development of this compound," said John Alam, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medicines Development, and Chief Medical Officer of Vertex. "Laboratory results for VX-770 have been highly encouraging and support the initiation of this first clinical study. We look forward to evaluating VX-770 in both healthy volunteers and patients with CF in the coming months to determine the next steps for the VX-770 development program."

Study Design

The Phase I study for VX-770 announced today is expected to enroll more than 50 individuals, including healthy volunteers and patients with CF. Dosing has been initiated in the first cohort of healthy volunteers, and is expected to progress to patients with CF later this year. Healthy volunteers in the Phase I study will receive escalating doses of VX-770 for treatment durations of up to 14 days, and patients with CF will receive single doses of VX-770.

Fast Track Designation for VX-770

Vertex also today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to VX-770. The FDA granted Fast Track designation to VX-770 for the following reasons:

* Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a serious and life-threatening illness in which mucus plugging, infection, and inflammation in the lungs lead to a decline in pulmonary function and significant morbidity and mortality.

* VX-770 is intended to preserve pulmonary function, decrease morbidity, and prolong survival in patients with CF by decreasing cycles of mucus plugging, infection, and inflammation in the lungs.


Under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997, Fast Track designation indicates that the FDA will facilitate the development and may expedite the review of a drug if it is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition and demonstrates the potential to address an unmet medical need for such a condition.

About VX-770

VX-770 was advanced into preclinical development based on a successful research collaboration with CFFT that incorporated capabilities and proprietary research from Vertex's San Diego research site. VX-770 may act to restore the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, the defective cell membrane protein responsible for the progression of CF. Defects in the CFTR protein affect the transport of chloride and other ions across cells, and lead to the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs of patients with CF. This mucus fosters chronic infection and inflammation, and results in irreversible lung damage. Potentiator compounds such as VX-770 are designed to increase the probability that the CFTR channel is open, which could result in an increase in chloride transport across the cell surface in some patients. In laboratory experiments, using cells from patients with CF where CFTR proteins are present on the cell surface, VX-770 has restored the gating activity of defective CFTR channels.

Collaborative History with CFFT

Vertex initiated its CF research program in May 2000 in collaboration with CFFT, which offers special expertise and experience in CF drug discovery and development. Vertex and CFFT expanded the agreement in May 2004, and in March 2006, entered into a new collaboration for the accelerated development of VX- 770. Under the collaboration, CFFT will provide to Vertex approximately $13.3 million to support clinical development of VX-770 through the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition to the development collaboration for VX-770, in January 2006, Vertex and CFFT entered into an expanded research collaboration to discover novel compounds known as correctors, which may work by increasing the number of CFTR channels on the cell surface. To date, CFFT has provided to Vertex more than $40 million for CF research.

About Cystic Fibrosis and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 people in the United States. A defect in the CFTR gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that leads to chronic, life-threatening lung infections and impairs digestion. When the CF Foundation was established in 1955, few children lived to attend elementary school. Today, because of research and care supported by the CF Foundation -- with money raised through donations from families, corporations and foundations -- the median predicted age of survival for people with CF is now more than 36 years.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization committed to finding therapies and ultimately a cure for CF, and to improving the lives of those with the disease. For more information on CF and the programs of the CF Foundation, call (800) FIGHT CF or visit http://www.cff.org/.

Vertex Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that Vertex expects (i) that the Phase I clinical study for VX-770 is expected to enroll more than 50 individuals; (ii) that the study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating single and multiple doses of VX-770 in healthy volunteers and single doses of VX-770 in patients with CF; (iii) that compounds such as VX-770 have the potential to change the course of CF; (iv) that it will evaluate VX-770 in the coming months to determine the next steps for the VX-770 development program; (v) to begin dosing VX-770 in patients with CF later this year; and (vi) VX-770 may act to restore the function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the possibility that CFFT could terminate its financial support under its agreements with Vertex early, risks that efforts to develop VX-770 may not proceed due to financial, technical, scientific, commercial or other reasons, that clinical trials may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, supply or patient enrollment issues, that actual clinical studies of VX-770 will not reflect the results obtained in pre-clinical and nonclinical testing, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contacts: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]

CFFT/Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Contact: Carolyn Habbersett, Director, Medical Communications, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications,

[phone] or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or

Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone], all of

Vertex; or Carolyn Habbersett, Director of Medical Communications of

CFFT/Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, [phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Researchers Report Results for 28-day Phase II Study of VX-950 in Combination with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin in Hepati
- 12 of 12 (100%) patients HCV RNA undetectable with no evidence of viral breakthrough at end of 28 days VX-950 dosing -

LOS ANGELES, May 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Data to be presented this week at the Digestive Disease Week conference show that plasma HCV RNA was reduced to undetectable levels (less than 10 IU/mL) in all 12 of 12 (100%) patients with genotype 1 HCV infection treated with VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX), in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R); peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) for 28 days. No viral breakthrough was observed in any patient during 28 days of VX-950 dosing. All patients completed dosing with no serious adverse events; those adverse events reported are considered typical of peg-IFN and RBV combination therapy. All patients enrolled in the 28-day study subsequently received follow-on treatment with peg-IFN and RBV. Researchers reported for the first time today that 11 of these patients (92%) continue to have no detectable virus in their blood at the end of 12 additional weeks of follow-on peg-IFN+RBV dosing. The 12th patient was found to have detectable HCV RNA (less than 30 IU/mL) in the week 12 post-VX-950 follow-up sample, with continuing evidence of detectable HCV RNA in subsequent samples. All 12 patients are continuing to receive peg-IFN+RBV.

"With the combination of VX-950, pegylated interferon and ribavirin, we observed unprecedented antiviral activity, with all 12 genotype 1 patients reaching viral levels below the limits of detection at the end of dosing at 28 days," said Eric Lawitz, M.D., of Alamo Medical Research in San Antonio, the investigator presenting the study results. "In addition, no serious adverse events were reported, and those adverse events that were reported are similar to those observed in previous studies of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These results are highly encouraging for the initiation of future VX-950 studies that seek to evaluate the potential for viral eradication with short duration therapy."

In addition, researchers reported the results of a viral sequencing analysis from patients in the 28-day study. These results showed that despite the detection of treatment-emergent viral variants in two patients early in the course of VX-950 dosing, combination treatment with VX-950 resulted in a continuous decline in HCV RNA to undetectable levels through the initial 28- day dosing period, and HCV RNA has remained undetectable in these patients through 12 weeks of follow-on therapy.

Study Design

The 28-day, Phase II clinical study enrolled 12 treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 HCV. Patients received VX-950 in a tablet formulation at a dose of 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) for 28 days in combination with standard doses of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R); peg-IFN) and ribavirin (Copegus(R); RBV). At the end of 28 days, patients completed dosing with VX-950 and per study protocol were required to continue off-study treatment with peg-IFN and RBV. This 28-day, Phase II study was not designed to evaluate sustained viral responses (SVR) in patients receiving VX-950.

Antiviral Results at 28 days

At study entry, the median baseline plasma HCV RNA was 6.5 log10 (3.2 million) IU/mL. At the end of week 1 (day 8 of VX-950 dosing), plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL; Roche Taqman(R) assay) in six of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL; Roche Taqman(R) assay) in two of 12 patients. Preliminary HCV RNA results in patients for weeks 2-4 are as follows:

* At the end of week 2, plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL) in 11 of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) in three of 12 patients.

* At the end of week 3, plasma HCV RNA was below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL) in 12 of the 12 patients; and undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) in nine of 12 patients.

* At the end of VX-950 dosing (end of week 4; day 28), plasma HCV RNA was undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) in all 12 patients.

* No patients showed evidence of viral breakthrough while receiving VX-950 treatment.

Follow-on Therapy

All 12 patients received follow-on treatment with peg-IFN+RBV therapy after completing 28 days of combination therapy with VX-950, peg-IFN and RBV. At week 12 of follow-on therapy, 11 patients had HCV RNA below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL). The patient with detectable viral levels at week 12 of follow-on dosing did not have undetectable HCV RNA (less than 10 IU/mL) until the 4th week of VX-950 dosing. While this patient's HCV RNA was again detectable (less than 30 IU/mL) two weeks after stopping VX-950 dosing, it was undetectable for the next 8 weeks, becoming detectable again after 12 weeks of follow-on peg-IFN+RBV dosing. At week 16 of follow-up, HCV RNA in this patient was 490 IU/mL. Blood samples from this patient are being collected for viral sequencing and this patient continues to receive peg-IFN+RBV treatment.

Safety

A complete safety review has been conducted. All patients completed dosing and no serious adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events observed in the study were flu-like illness, fatigue, headache, nausea, anemia, depression, itching and rash. All of these adverse events were mild to moderate in severity, except for one headache that was graded as severe. All of these adverse events were considered to be typical of peg-IFN and RBV combination therapy.

On-Treatment Viral Sequencing Analysis

Extensive viral sequencing analyses of the HCV protease catalytic domain were planned as part of the study, using blood samples collected at baseline (before VX-950 dosing) and during the 28-day dosing period. Baseline sequences obtained in all 12 subjects showed only wild-type RNA. Once dosing was initiated, sequences could be obtained in all 12 patients at the 24-hour time point, but only in two patients at the end of the first week of dosing (14 on- treatment samples total). In all other patients, and at all other time points, dosing with VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV suppressed plasma HCV RNA to levels below the limit of detection of the sequencing assays.

Using a highly sensitive clonal sequencing approach, 12 of the 14 samples contained 100% wild-type virus. In two samples, one collected from a patient at 24 hours of dosing and one in another patient at the end of the first week of dosing, viral variants consisting predominantly of a V36M amino acid sequence change were detected, with one sample also showing a low proportion of an A156T amino acid sequence change. In both these patients with detectable viral variants, HCV RNA was rapidly suppressed during continued dosing with VX-950, and both patients became HCV RNA undetectable by the end of the third week of dosing. HCV RNA remained undetectable in both of these patients after 12 weeks of follow-on treatment with peg-IFN and RBV. The results suggest that viral variants may exist at a low level in patients before VX-950 dosing is initiated, and that they are uncovered by the rapid reduction of the wild-type virus. However, in this study these variants were rapidly suppressed to below detectable levels with VX-950, peg-IFN and RBV combination therapy.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death. The burden of liver disease associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies only provide sustained benefit in about 50% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus. Specifically targeted antiviral therapies for HCV in clinical development have the potential to increase the proportion of patients who can eradicate the virus.

About VX-950

VX-950 is an investigational oral inhibitor of hepatitis C virus protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents that specifically targets HCV. In clinical studies to date of 14 days and 28 days duration, researchers have observed rapid and dramatic antiviral activity with VX-950 dosed both as a single agent and in combination. In clinical studies of VX-950 no patients have discontinued treatment and no serious adverse events have been reported. The most common adverse events reported, including patients who did not receive VX-950, and regardless of possible relationship to drug, have been headache, frequent urination, gastrointestinal symptoms, myalgias, skin disorders and chills. Most of these adverse events have been reported as mild to moderate in severity.

Vertex researchers were the first to solve the three-dimensional crystal structure of HCV protease, and have used structural insights to enable the design of small molecule HCV protease inhibitors, including VX-950.

About Digestive Disease Week (DDW)

DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 20-25, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit http://www.ddw.org/.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including a statement that results from the Phase II study are encouraging for the design of future VX-950 studies that seek to evaluate the potential for short-course, therapy that eliminates the virus from most patients. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that (i) full analysis of the data, or further testing, will not reflect the results reported in this press release, or support any or all of the conclusions provided in this press release; and (ii) clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, clinical trial results may not be available when expected, or expected regulatory filings may not occur or may be delayed due to adverse clinical or non-clinical trial developments or unanticipated FDA action; and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies, and Pegasys is a registered trademark of Hoffman-La Roche Inc. Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contacts: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lynne H. Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, +1-617-

444-6614, or Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, +1-617-

444-6108, or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone], or

Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[fasel]

23.05.2006 13:34
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Initiates the First of Two Major Phase II Studies of VX-950 in Treatment-Naive HCV Patients

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nachrichten) today reported that it has initiated PROVE 1, a major Phase II study of VX-950, an investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor. In addition, the Company today announced it expects to initiate PROVE 2, a second major Phase II study in June. The studies will be conducted in the United States and Europe as part of a global Phase II development program for VX-950. Together, the two studies are expected to evaluate sustained viral response (SVR) rates in 580 treatment-naive patients infected with genotype 1 HCV.

Vertex's global Phase II development program in treatment-naive patients has three objectives: to evaluate the optimal SVR rate that can be achieved with VX-950 therapy in combination with the current standard of care, to evaluate the optimal treatment duration for VX-950, and to evaluate the role of ribavirin in VX-950-based therapy. In addition to these two major studies, Vertex expects to begin additional clinical studies of VX-950 in the second half of the year, including a Phase IIb study in patients who failed prior standard of care treatment. Vertex anticipates this Phase IIb study to enroll approximately 400 patients. By the end of the first quarter of 2007, Vertex expects to have enrolled approximately 1,000 patients in clinical trials of VX-950.

"PROVE 1 is the largest clinical study to date of an HCV protease inhibitor in triple combination therapy in a treatment-naive patient population, and provides us with the first opportunity to assess the potential to enhance sustained virologic response rates with a shortened treatment duration with VX-950, along with peginterferon and ribavirin," said John McHutchison, M.D., Duke University and Lead Investigator for the PROVE 1 study. "Throughout this Phase II study, we will further develop a clinical and safety database and increase our experience with VX-950 among clinicians and patients."

VX-950 Program Update PROVE Studies

The two studies announced today are the initial studies in a program of the "Investigation of HCV Protease Inhibition for Viral Eradication" (PROVE). The PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 studies have been designed as major, complementary studies to be conducted in the United States and Europe that will evaluate the ability of VX-950 to achieve SVR with short duration combination therapy. Following consultations with regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Europe, trial designs have been completed. Vertex expects the PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 studies to enroll 580 patients at more than 55 centers worldwide. Vertex expects that these studies, taken together, will provide a substantial evaluation of the potential of VX-950-based therapy to achieve SVR.


Phase II Studies for VX-950 Treatment Regimen Patients in Patients in PROVE 1 PROVE 2 TOTAL 12-week regimens of VX-950 in combination with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) 20 80 100 12-week regimens of VX-950 in combination with only peg-IFN 0 80 80 12-week regimens of VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, followed by 12 weeks of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV 80 80 160 12-week regimens of VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, followed by 36 weeks of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV 80 0 80 Standard of Care HCV Treatment 80 80 160 Total 260 320 580 PROVE 1 Study in the U.S.

Vertex has initiated in the U.S., a four-arm, 260-patient Phase II study of VX-950 known as PROVE 1. The first dosing of patients will occur in June. The primary objective of this study is to assess the proportion of patients in each study arm who achieve SVR, defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL, as measured by the Roche TaqMan(R) assay) HCV RNA 24 weeks after the completion of dosing. In the study, there will be an initial randomization of 80 patients equally across all four treatment arms. There will be a second randomization of an additional 180 patients across three treatment arms focused on 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. The study will be conducted in approximately 35 centers in the U.S. The study arms include:


* 12 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) in combination with standard doses of pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV); or * 24 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) in combination with standard doses of peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks, then continuing for another 12 weeks with peg-IFN and RBV alone; or * 48 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) in combination with standard doses of peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks, then continuing for another 36 weeks with peg-IFN and RBV alone; or * A control arm with peg-IFN and RBV dosed for 48 weeks

Patients in the 12 and 24-week treatment arms who achieve a rapid viral response (RVR) defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) viral levels by the end of week 4, and who maintain this status through to either week 10 or 20 respectively, will stop all treatment at the 12 or 24-week time point and will be followed post-treatment to evaluate whether they achieve SVR. Patients in these treatment arms who do not meet the RVR criterion will continue on peg-IFN and RBV for a total duration of 48 weeks. The 48-week treatment arm that contains VX-950 will evaluate whether 36 weeks of additional treatment with peg-IFN and RBV adds substantially to the SVR rate compared to 12 weeks of additional treatment with peg-IFN and RBV.

PROVE 2 Study in Europe

In June, Vertex will initiate in Europe, a four-arm, 320-patient Phase II study of VX-950, known as PROVE 2. The primary objective of this study is to assess the proportion of patients in each study arm who achieve SVR, defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) HCV RNA 24 weeks after the completion of dosing. In the study, 320 patients will be randomized equally across all four treatment arms, providing a total of 80 patients per arm. The study will be conducted in more than 20 centers in Europe. The study arms include:


* 12 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) plus a standard dose of pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN); or * 12 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) plus standard doses of peg-IFN and ribavirin (RBV); or * 24 weeks of therapy, with VX-950 dosed at 750 mg every eight hours (q8h) plus standard doses of peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks, then continuing for another 12 weeks with peg-IFN and RBV alone; or * A control arm with peg-IFN and RBV dosed for 48 weeks

As in the PROVE 1 study, patients in the 12 and 24-week treatment arms who achieve a rapid viral response (RVR) defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL) viral levels by the end of week 4, and who maintain this status through to either week 10 or 20 respectively, will stop all treatment at the 12 or 24- week time point and will be followed post-treatment to evaluate whether they achieve SVR. Patients in these treatment arms who do not meet the RVR criterion will continue on peg-IFN and RBV for a total duration of 48 weeks. The 24-week treatment arm will evaluate whether 12 weeks of additional treatment with peg-IFN and RBV adds substantially to the SVR rate compared to 12 weeks of VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV.

Additional Studies

In addition, Vertex expects to further broaden the VX-950 development program to evaluate VX-950 in other treatment regimens and patient populations. In the second half of the year, Vertex plans to initiate a Phase IIb study in patients who failed prior standard of care treatment. Vertex anticipates this Phase IIb study to enroll approximately 400 patients. The Company also expects to begin a multi-dose, drug-drug interaction study of VX- 950 and low-dose ritonavir in the second half of this year. By the end of the first quarter of 2007, Vertex expects to have enrolled approximately 1,000 patients in clinical trials of VX-950.

"In clinical trials to date, VX-950 has consistently demonstrated rapid and dramatic reductions in HCV RNA levels," said John Alam, M.D., Executive Vice President of Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer for Vertex. "We believe the 2006 global Phase II program will establish VX-950's clinical profile by answering key questions about SVR rates, treatment duration and the role of ribavirin. We will receive the first clinical data from this global Phase II program starting in Fall 2006."

Data Presentations for VX-950

On May 21, 2006, Vertex announced results for a 28-day, Phase II study of VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV at the Digestive Disease Week(R) (DDW(R)) Conference in Los Angeles, California, which showed that plasma HCV RNA levels were below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL) in 12 of 12 patients at the end of 28 days of treatment with VX-950 in combination with peg-IFN and RBV. Researchers also reported that 11 of these patients continued to have no detectable virus in their blood at the end of 12 additional weeks of follow-on peg-IFN and RBV dosing. On April 29, 2006, at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), Vertex presented initial results for a 14-day, Phase Ib study of VX-950 and peg-IFN, which showed that at day 14, the majority of patients (6 of 8) receiving the combination had HCV RNA levels below the limit of quantitation (30 IU/mL), and 4 of 8 patients had HCV RNA levels below the limit of detection (10 IU/mL). Researchers reported for the first time at EASL that 8 of 8 patients who received VX-950 and peg-IFN in combination for 14 days had no detectable virus in their blood at the end of 12 additional weeks of peg-IFN and RBV dosing.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 3.4 million individuals in the United States, is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk for developing long-term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or death. The burden of liver disease associated with HCV infection is increasing, and current therapies provide sustained benefit in only about 50% of patients with genotype 1 HCV, the most common strain of the virus.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.


TaqMan(R) is a registered trademark of Hoffman-La Roche Inc. Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) Vertex expects to have the first clinical data from the PROVE 1 study as early as the fall of 2006; (ii) planned studies will build extensive clinical activity and safety experience with VX-950 among clinicians and patients; (iii) the PROVE 1 study will begin dosing patients in June; (iv) the PROVE 2 study will be initiated in June; (v) Vertex will initiate later in 2006 a Phase II study of VX-950 in approximately 400 patients who have failed prior HCV therapy; and (vi) by the end of the first quarter of 2007 Vertex expects to have enrolled approximately 1,000 patients in clinical trials of VX-950. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Vertex's actual results to vary materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risks that clinical trials for VX-950 may not proceed as planned due to technical, scientific, or patient enrollment issues, or disagreements with regulatory authorities over trial design or other matters, that the scale and scope of future clinical and nonclinical studies may change and will be determined in significant part by data collected in ongoing and future trials, that further clinical studies of VX-950 may not reflect the results obtained in early clinical and nonclinical studies, that ongoing nonclinical studies, including toxicology studies, will yield currently unanticipated negative outcomes that could adversely affect planned clinical trials, that results from the Company's clinical trials commenced during 2006 will be insufficient to support a Phase III program without additional trials and consequent delay in the timetable for potential approval, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006.

Conference Call and Webcast: PROVE Study Update

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call today, May 23, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. EDT to review the VX-950 global Phase II program. This call will be broadcast via the Internet at http://www.vrtx.com/ in the investor center. Alternatively, to listen to the call on the telephone, dial [phone] (U.S. and Canada) or [phone] (International). Alternatively, Vertex is providing a podcast MP3 file available for download on the Vertex website, http://www.vrtx.com/.

The call will be available for replay via telephone commencing May 23, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. EDT running through 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 30, 2006. The replay phone number for the US and Canada is [phone]. The international replay number is [phone] and the conference ID number is 9742527. Following the live webcast, an archived version will be available on Vertex's website until 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 6, 2006.


Vertex Contacts: Lynne Brum, Vice President, Strategic Communications, [phone] Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone] Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone] Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]


quelle: finanznachrichten.de


gruß

[igla]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (MM) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Webcasts of its Presentations at Two Investor Conferences

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) will webcast its presentations at Sanford Bernstein's 22nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference and the Bear Biotech Boston Confab.

Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex, will present at the Sanford Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

Ian Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and John Alam, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex, will present at the Bear Biotech Boston Confab. The presentation and discussion will also be conducted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 and will take place at 5:40 p.m. EDT.

The presentations will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting the Vertex website at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/. A replay of the webcasts will also be available on the Company's website for two weeks following the presentations. To access the webcasts, go to Vertex's website and select the 'Sanford Bernstein 22nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference' or the 'Bear Biotech Boston Confab' from the 'Events Calendar.' To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is principally focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex co-promotes the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com/." target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.vrtx.com/.

Vertex Contact: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]

DATASOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated


CONTACT: Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations of Vertex

Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, [phone]


Web site: http://www.vrtx.com/


Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/938395.html

[ABV2003]

In Anbetracht der nachgebenden Märkte hält sich Vertex beachtlich gut.

[betterthantherest]

Interessanter Artikel.

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2006/06/21/ver…

[ABV2003]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 22.103.256 von ABV2003 am 14.06.06 08:19:11

Nach wie vor hält sich Vertex gut

[Searcher70]

Hugin-News: BB BIOTECH AG
08.08.06 07:32
BB BIOTECH: Halbjahresbericht per 30. Juni 2006


Neue Biotech-Medikamente mit Blockbuster-Potential

In der ersten Hälfte des Jahres 2006 erlangten eine Reihe wichtiger neuer Biotech-Medikamente die Marktzulassung. Insbesondere die erneuerte Vermarktungsgenehmigung von Tysabri, dem von Biogen Idec entwickelten Wirkstoff zur Behandlung der Multiplen Sklerose (MS), zeigte die überzeugende Wirksamkeit der modernen Biotech-Medikamente auf. Der Aktienkurs der BB BIOTECH stand am 30. Juni bei CHF 75.90. Der Innere Wert betrug CHF 84.40 am Ende des Halbjahrs und verzeichnete damit seit Jahresbeginn einen Rückgang um 4.6% (dividendenadjustiert). Letzterer war vor allem durch die Entwicklung des USD/CHF-Wechselkurses bedingt. In USD stieg unser Eigenkapital um 2.4%. BB BIOTECH entwickelte sich im Vergleich zur gesamten Branche überdurchschnittlich.

Tysabri, das von Biogen Idec und Elan Pharmaceuticals entwickelte wirksamste Medikament seiner Klasse, wird in den USA und in Europa im dritten Quartal 2006 erneut zur Behandlung der Multiplen Sklerose (MS) auf den Markt kommen. Zur Minimierung des Risikos des Auftretens von PML (progressive multifokale Leukoenzephalopathie) wurde ein umfangreiches Kontrollsystem entwickelt. Wir gehen davon aus, dass viele MS-Patienten von dieser neuen Therapie profitieren möchten, und erwarten, dass die Umsätze von Tysabri die Erwartungen übertreffen werden. Unsere Kernbeteiligung Celgene profitierte von der erfolgreichen Markteinführung des neuen Wirkstoffs Revlimid zur Behandlung des myelodysplastischen Syndroms (Form von Blutkrebs). Am 30. Juni 2006 wurde Revlimid von der amerikanischen Zulassungsbehörde FDA auch zur Behandlung multipler Myelome (zweithäufigste Form von Blutkrebs) zugelassen. Revlimid hat das Potenzial, zum Medikament der Wahl für die Behandlung dieser beiden Krankheiten zu werden. Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass die Umsätze des Produktes in der zweiten Jahreshälfte deutlich steigen werden. Auch unsere Kernbeteiligungen Gilead und Actelion konnten erneut von steigenden Umsätzen ihrer Produkte profitieren.

Wir erhöhten unsere Beteiligungen an Genentech und Vertex. Wir erwarten, dass Genentech bei einer ganzen Reihe von Produkten - darunter insbesondere Avastin, Herceptin und Lucentis - deutlich steigende Umsätze verbuchen können wird. Avastin und Herceptin sind wirksame, bereits zugelassene Medikamente zur Behandlung verschiedener Krebsarten, deren Anwendungsbereich sich durch neue Indikationen laufend erweitert. Lucentis wurde am 30. Juni dieses Jahres als Therapie für die altersbedingte, feuchte Form der Makuladegeneration zugelassen. Lucentis hatte in mehreren klinischen Studien eine bislang unerreichte Wirkung bei dieser nur schwer zu behandelnden Erkrankung gezeigt. Patienten, die zuvor eine schnell fortschreitende Verschlechterung ihrer Sehkraft erleiden mussten, können diese dank der Behandlung mit Lucentis erhalten oder sogar verbessern. Vertex hält eine führende Position bei der Entwicklung so genannter Protease-Inhibitoren zur Behandlung von Hepatitis C inne. Zwar befindet sich VX-950, das wichtigste Produkt des Unternehmens, noch in einer frühen Phase der klinischen Entwicklung, doch erste Studienresultate sind äusserst überzeugend. Möglicherweise kann ein Grossteil der Hepatitis-C-Patienten künftig geheilt werden, unter Umständen sogar mit einer deutlich verkürzten Behandlungsdauer.

Vor zwei Jahren hatten wir in BioXell investiert. Das Unternehmen ging am 21. Juni 2006 an die Schweizer Börse. Der Börsengang wurde durch Phase-II-Ergebnisse des zur Behandlung der überaktiven Blase eingesetzten Wirkstoffes Elocalcitol ermöglicht. Mit BioXell gelang unserer vorerst letzten privaten Beteiligung der Börsengang. Wir werden auch weiterhin in private Unternehmen investieren, vorausgesetzt, die Bewertungen dieser Gesellschaften vergleichen sich vorteilhaft mit anderen Investitionsmöglichkeiten.

Darüber hinaus erwarben wir neue Beteiligungen an Roche, Onyx, Zymogenetics, Adolor, Arena und Anadys. Unsere Beteiligung an dem Pharmaunternehmen Roche basiert auf dem Biotech-Potenzial des Unternehmens, das insbesondere Produkte wie Avastin, CERA und Actemra umfasst. Unsere Beteiligungen an Sepracor, OSI Pharmaceuticals und Theravance haben wir veräussert.

Für die zweite Hälfte des Jahres erwarten wir überzeugende Umsätze von bestehenden und neu lancierten Biotech-Medikamenten. Die daraus resultierenden Gewinne sollten die attraktiven Unternehmensbewertungen des Sektors unterstreichen.


Gruß
searcher70

[blb]

Na also, geht doch, 100 Dollar, wir kommen!

Sehr netter Chart, langfristig ist der Wert nach den Studienergebnissen Pflicht für jeden Biotechinvestor.

Schönes Wochenende!
blb

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 24.899.543 von blb am 27.10.06 21:09:49

was fuer ein paar looser :


S&P Equity Research Downgrades Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to Hold
10-27-2006 11:06:00 AM


S&P Equity Research downgrades Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) from Strong Buy to Hold. Price target $42.

S&P analyst, P. Starsia, says, "Our downgrade is based on valuation. VRTX reported positive Phase II follow-up data for VX-950, showing that after two months on continuing treatment with peg-IFN and ribavirin, 8 out of 12 patients maintained undetectable levels of HCV virus. We believe data confirms VX-950 is effective, and we await additional information in Dec., when VRTX intends to release 12-week combination results. In Q1 '07, VRTX will announce 12-week off-treatment data, designed to demonstrate if a sustained viral response is achieved after treatment is stopped."

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 24.952.073 von julszw12 am 28.10.06 23:15:34

denn : es sieht doch recht rosig aus die neuen daten sind vielversprechend


source:
http://www.vrtx.com/Pressreleases2006/pr102706.html


New Data for Investigational Hepatitis C Drug Telaprevir (VX-950) to be Presented at AASLD Meeting
— Combination therapy with telaprevir and pegylated interferon suppressed both wild-type and resistant HCV —

Boston, MA, October 27, 2006 –– Researchers will present new data this week suggesting that both wild-type hepatitis C virus and resistant variants were suppressed in patients when pegylated interferon (peginterferon alfa-2a; peg-IFN) was added to telaprevir (VX-950), Vertex’s investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor, in a Phase 1b clinical study. In addition, clinical investigators will report that 24 of 26 patients who received telaprevir (VX-950) in two early-stage clinical trials had undetectable HCV RNA after receiving follow-on combination therapy with peg-IFN and ribavirin (RBV) through 24 weeks of treatment, a therapeutic regimen following the conclusion of the clinical trials. Clinical investigators will also report that some of these patients have stopped therapy, and that a proportion of them continued to have undetectable HCV RNA after stopping therapy.

The data will be presented while attending the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and were released in accordance with media guidelines established by the conference. Telaprevir (VX-950) is an investigational drug candidate being developed as part of a global Phase 2b clinical development program by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX).

Combination of Telaprevir (VX-950) and Peg-IFN Suppressed Both Wild-type Virus and Resistance Variants in 14-day Clinical Study
Tara Kieffer, Ph.D., of Vertex will present data in a Presidential Plenary session on Monday, October 30, analyzing viral sequences isolated from patients receiving telaprevir (VX-950) as a single agent or in combination with peg-IFN in a Phase 1b 14-day clinical study. In this study, viral variants were suppressed when peg-IFN was combined with telaprevir, or when peg-IFN and RBV were administered subsequent to telaprevir dosing.

In one arm of the trial, resistant viral variants were isolated from six of eight patients who had detectable HCV RNA while receiving telaprevir as a single agent over a period of 14 days. Subsequently, clinical investigators reported that all patients who received follow-on therapy with peg-IFN and RBV had undetectable HCV RNA at 24 weeks. In a second arm of the study, resistant viral variants were isolated from two of eight patients who received a combination of telaprevir and peg-IFN for 14 days. Both patients subsequently had undetectable HCV RNA at week 12 of follow-on therapy.

Current Status of Patients Receiving Follow-On Peg-IFN and RBV Combination Therapy After a 14-day, Phase 1b Clinical Trial of Telaprevir (VX-950)
On Tuesday, October 31, Dr. Nicole Forestier of Saarland University Hospital in Homburg, Germany will review the current status of 20 patients from a Phase 1b study who received 14 days of telaprevir therapy either alone or in combination with peg-IFN, or peg-IFN alone, in a poster presentation titled “Current status of subjects receiving peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) after a 14-day study of the hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir (VX-950), with peg-IFN.” Clinical investigators previously reported that at the end of 14 days of dosing, one of eight patients receiving telaprevir as a single agent and four of eight patients receiving telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN had undetectable HCV RNA (less than 10 IU/mL, Roche Taqman®).

All patients who did not discontinue therapy at week 24 are expected to continue to receive peg-IFN+RBV for a total of 48 weeks of treatment. The current status of patients, as reported by the poster authors, is described in the following table:

Current Status of Patients Receiving Follow-On Peg-IFN and RBV Combination Therapy After a 28-day, Phase 2a Clinical Trial of Telaprevir (VX-950)
On Monday, October 30, Dr. Maribel Rodriguez-Torres of Fundacion de Investigacion de Diego, Puerto Rico will review the current status of 12 patients originally enrolled in a 28-day Phase 2a study of telaprevir in a poster presentation titled “Current status of subjects receiving peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) follow-on therapy after 28-day treatment of the hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir (VX-950), peg-IFN and RBV.” Clinical investigators previously reported that at the end of 28 days of dosing with telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, 12 of 12 patients had HCV RNA below the limit of detection of a highly sensitive assay (less than 10 IU/mL, Roche Taqman®).

The current status of patients, as reported by the poster authors, is described in the following table:

At the end of 24 weeks of follow-on peg-IFN+RBV therapy, eight patients who were still receiving peg-IFN+RBV had undetectable HCV RNA. These patients continue to receive peg-IFN+RBV at week 36 of follow-on therapy. Additionally, one patient stopped treatment at week 18 and remained HCV RNA undetectable 6 weeks after stopping therapy (week 24).

Two patients had detectable HCV RNA and stopped treatment at week 24 of follow-on therapy. In these two patients, viral sequencing analyses at week 24 showed predominantly wild-type virus, with a minority population of R155K variants also detected. One patient, after having undetectable HCV RNA at week 12, was lost to follow-up at week 18 of follow-on therapy.

The results reported above represent clinical treatment of comparatively small numbers of patients who were initially dosed in clinical trials of telaprevir for 14 or 28 days. These results may not be predictive of patient outcomes in large clinical trials evaluating telaprevir.

In clinical studies reported to date, telaprevir has been administered as a single agent, in combination with peg-IFN only, and in combination with peg-IFN and RBV for 28 days or less. In subjects who received telaprevir alone, commonly reported adverse events were headache, diarrhea, urinary frequency, sleepiness, and skin disorders (dry skin, rash and itching). In subjects who received telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN and with or without RBV, the commonly reported adverse events were flu-like symptoms, fatigue, headache, nausea, anemia, depression, insomnia, and skin disorders (dry skin, rash and itching). Except for one headache in one patient receiving telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN and RBV that was judged to be severe, adverse events across all studies reported to date were mild to moderate.

Two additional presentations involving telaprevir will be presented at AASLD:

* Chao Lin, Ph.D., of Vertex will present in vitro analyses on Sunday, October 29. In Dr. Lin’s study, variants with decreased sensitivity to telaprevir remained sensitive to interferon alpha and ribavirin.
* Raj Kalkeri, Ph.D., of Vertex will present in vitro data on Monday, October 30. In Dr. Kalkeri’s study, HCV protease variants with decreased sensitivity to telaprevir were less efficient in cleaving proteins involved in innate immunity.

About Telaprevir (VX-950)
Telaprevir (VX-950) is an investigational oral inhibitor of HCV protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents in development that specifically targets HCV. Vertex is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that are expected to enroll approximately 1000 patients with HCV at clinical centers in the United States and Europe. Vertex completed enrollment in the 260-patient, U.S.-based PROVE 1 trial in September. The PROVE 2 trial is underway in Europe and is expected to complete enrollment by year-end with approximately 320 patients. Also in the fourth quarter, Vertex expects to initiate PROVE 3, a clinical trial of telaprevir that will enroll more than 400 treatment-experienced patients. In clinical trials, telaprevir is being dosed as 750 mg every eight hours in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®), both with and without ribavirin (Copegus®).

Vertex retains commercial rights to telaprevir in North America. Vertex and Tibotec are collaborating to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and other countries. Vertex is collaborating with Mitsubishi Pharma to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Japan and certain Far East countries.

About Hepatitis C

[blb]

Den Analysten fehlt es oft einfach an Weitblick. Klar, kann das Ding noch scheitern, bislang sind die Ergebnisse aber überragend. Jetzt stehen nochmals wichtige Daten an in den nächsten Monaten.

[img]http://www.vrtx.com/Pressreleases2006/AASLDtable1.jpg[/img}

Vertex is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that are expected to enroll approximately 1000 patients with HCV at clinical centers in the United States and Europe. Vertex completed enrollment in the 260-patient, U.S.-based PROVE 1 trial in September. The PROVE 2 trial is underway in Europe and is expected to complete enrollment by year-end with approximately 320 patients. Also in the fourth quarter, Vertex expects to initiate PROVE 3, a clinical trial of telaprevir that will enroll more than 400 treatment-experienced patients. In clinical trials, telaprevir is being dosed as 750 mg every eight hours in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®), both with and without ribavirin (Copegus®).

Zum Vergleich einmal ein Upgrade Ende September:

Merrill Lynch boosted its rating on the stock to a buy from neutral and set a price target of $40. Shares were up 1.6% to $33.27.

According to Merrill, if the trial results prove positive, the company's investigational VX-950 treatment could potentially be a $3 billion to $4 billion drug, and the stock's current price is "an attractive entry point for risk-tolerant investors."

Sollten es wirklich 3-4 Milliarden werden, ich vermute mal so um 2012 rum, ist langfristig eine Marktkapitalisierung von 12-15 Milliarden Dollar absolut im Bereich des Möglichen.

Der Markt wird das nach und nach antizipieren...

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Sorry, bei der Grafik war ne Klammer falsch...

[blb]

Wichtige Daten zur Verträglichkeit und Sicherheit kommen Ende des Jahres sowie Mitte nächsten Jahres.

Vertex expects that the first data from the PROVE1 clinical trial will become available in December 2006.

The Company expects the first data from PROVE 2 to be available in mid-2007.

Und von VX-680 soll auch noch was kommen in diesem Jahr:

Vertex expects that additional clinical results for VX-680 (MK-0457) will be presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in December.

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Vertex kommt in den Nasdaq100!

The following 3 issues will be added to the NASDAQ-100 Index: Level 3 Communications Inc. (LVLT) , Infosys Technologies Ltd. (INFY) , and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) .

Dazu müssten jetzt bald die Ergebnisse von Prove 1 kommen!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Results of First Interim Safety and Antiviral Analysis of the PROVE 1 Clinical Trial of Investigational HCV Protease Inhibitor Telaprevir (VX-950)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2006 6:55 AM
- PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec 13, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) today announced results from a planned interim safety analysis from PROVE 1, an ongoing Phase 2b clinical trial of the investigational hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor telaprevir (VX-950):


* In the telaprevir dosing arms, the incidence of treatment
discontinuations due to adverse events was 9% and the incidence of
serious adverse events was 3%.
* At week 12, 65 of the 74 patients (88%) for whom data was available in
the telaprevir groups demonstrated undetectable HCV RNA (less than 10
IU/mL; Roche Taqman).
* Vertex earned a $15 million milestone payment from Janssen Pharmaceutica
NV, based on these results.



"Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major public health problem, and Vertex's goal is to increase the success rate of hepatitis C treatment with short-duration therapy," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. "Evaluation of telaprevir's safety and antiviral activity in multiple large clinical trials is Vertex's top clinical priority in the year ahead. This interim analysis of PROVE 1 is an important step forward in the telaprevir clinical development program, as it strongly supports the initiation and conduct of large clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of telaprevir."

Interim Safety and Antiviral Results

In accordance with the PROVE 1 study design, an interim safety and antiviral activity analysis has been conducted, and the data have been reviewed by the independent data monitoring committee overseeing the trial. A total of 250 patients were enrolled and in addition to Peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN) + ribavirin (RBV) received at least one dose of telaprevir or placebo in the study. In the data reported, patients in all three telaprevir containing groups were pooled together (n=175) and the results were compared to the results in the control arm of peg-IFN + RBV and placebo (n=75). At the time of the data cut-off for the safety analysis, approximately 100 patients had completed 12 weeks on-study and more than 200 patients had completed 8 weeks.

The most common adverse events were similar in type between the two groups and were characteristic of the known side effects of interferon and ribavirin. Of these, the adverse events that were more commonly reported in the telaprevir groups included gastrointestinal disorders and rash. In the telaprevir groups, as of the cut-off date, 9% of patients had discontinued treatment due to adverse events, compared to 3% of patients in the control arm. The difference between the two groups is due to the greater number of discontinuations due to rash, gastrointestinal disorders, and anemia in the telaprevir arms compared to the control arm. Three percent (3%) of patients in the telaprevir arms discontinued due to rash, the most common adverse event leading to treatment discontinuation in the study. Serious adverse events were noted in 3% of patients in the telaprevir groups and 1% of patients in the control group.

The table below summarizes available HCV RNA results at week 12:

Treatment Patients who
assignment had undetectable
HCV RNA
(less than 10 IU/mL)
at week 12

VX-950+ peg- 65 of 74 (88%)
IFN +RBV

Placebo+peg- 17 of 33 (52%)
IFN +RBV



Of the 74 patients in the telaprevir groups for whom data were available at the end of 12 weeks, 65 (88%) demonstrated undetectable HCV RNA (less than 10 IU/mL; Roche Taqman), compared to 17 of 33 (52%) of patients in the control arm. Vertex expects that further results for the PROVE 1 clinical trial will be presented at a medical forum in 2007.

About the PROVE 1 Study

PROVE 1 is a four-arm, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical trial of telaprevir (VX-950) in treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 HCV infection. The protocol placed no restriction on patient entry into the trial based on weight, race/ethnicity or baseline viral load. In the trial, telaprevir was dosed in combination with pegylated interferon-2a (peg-IFN-2a) and ribavirin (RBV). The primary objective of PROVE 1 is to assess the proportion of patients in each study arm who achieve a sustained viral response (SVR), defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL, as measured by the Roche TaqMan assay) HCV RNA 24 weeks after the completion of dosing. The study was fully enrolled in September 2006 and is ongoing at approximately 35 centers in the U.S. All subjects will have completed telaprevir dosing by the third week of December 2006. A full description of the PROVE 1 trial design can be found in Vertex's May 23, 2006 press release.

About Telaprevir (VX-950)

Telaprevir (VX-950) is an investigational oral inhibitor of HCV protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents in development that specifically targets HCV. Vertex is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that are expected to enroll approximately 1000 patients with HCV at clinical centers in the United States and Europe. The U.S.-based PROVE 1 trial is fully enrolled and ongoing. The PROVE 2 study is underway in Europe and is expected to complete enrollment with approximately 320 patients within the next few weeks. Also in the next few weeks, Vertex expects to initiate PROVE 3, a clinical trial of telaprevir that will enroll more than 400 treatment-experienced patients. In clinical trials, telaprevir is being dosed as 750 mg every eight hours in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R)), both with and (in the PROVE 2 study) without ribavirin (Copegus(R)).

Vertex retains commercial rights to telaprevir in North America. Vertex, Janssen Pharmaceutica and Tibotec are collaborating to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and other countries. Janssen Pharmaceutica is funding approximately 50% of development costs, in addition to paying Vertex milestone payments based on successful development and launch of telaprevir in Janssen's territories. Vertex is collaborating with Mitsubishi Pharma to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Japan and certain Far East countries.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 170 million people worldwide, is spread through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and bacterial infection. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.


Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) data from the interim safety analysis support initiation of further clinical studies by Vertex, including the PROVE 3 study and other large clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of telaprevir; (ii) the Company's goal is to increase the success rate of hepatitis C treatment with shorter duration therapy; (iii) the Company's interim results are indicative of final results that may be expected from the PROVE 1 study; (iv) Vertex is conducting a global development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that are expected to enroll approximately 1,000 patients; (v) PROVE 2 is expected to complete enrollment with approximately 320 patients within the next few weeks; and (vi) also in the next few weeks, Vertex expects to initiate the PROVE 3 clinical trial that will enroll more than 400 treatment-experienced patients. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of studies to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that the results of the interim analysis of safety and clinical activity will not be consistent with the eventual final trial outcomes, that the Company's study objectives for each of its planned studies may not be achieved, that regulatory authorities may not allow the Company's planned trials to proceed as designed, due to varying interpretations of existing and expected data or disagreements over trial design or for other reasons, that enrollment may be more difficult or slower than the Company currently anticipates or that planned studies may not start when planned due to regulatory issues, site startup delays, availability of clinical trial material or other reasons, or other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2006. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new data become available.


Vertex's press releases are available at http://www.vrtx.com.

Vertex Contacts:
Lynne H. Brum, VP, Strategic Communications [phone]
Michael Partridge, Director, Corporate Communications, [phone]
Lora Pike, Manager, Investor Relations, [phone]
Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist, [phone]



SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Lynne H. Brum, VP, Strategic Communications [phone], or Michael Partridge,
Director, Corporate Communications, [phone], or Lora Pike, Manager, Investor
Relations, [phone], or Zachry Barber, Senior Media Relations Specialist,
[phone], all of Vertex Pharmaceuticals


http://www.vrtx.com/

Copyright (C) 2006 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.151.434 von blb am 13.12.06 14:54:40

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8M055302.htm

Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. recovered from a low opening after the drug developer released a first look at data coming out of a mid stage clinical trial for Telaprevir, the company's hepatitis C treatment candidate.

Vertex shares opened at $36.34, or 8.5 percent below Tuesday closing price of $39.40 on the Nasdaq. By the afternoon, shares recovered to $38.84, down 56 cents from the day before.

Of the 250 hepatitis C patients enrolled in the study, 74 patients already had available data after 12 weeks of treatment. Available data showed that 88 percent of patients had undetectable levels of the hepatitis C virus compared with 52 percent of patients in the placebo group.

However, a sustained virological response, or patients who continue to have undetectable virus after 24 weeks of treatment, is the key measure of the study.

Banc of America analyst David Witzke downgraded the company to "Sell" from "Neutral," and called the preliminary data "less than perfect" in a research note. Witzke said that investors are holding Vertex to a high standard of undetectable virus in about 90 percent to 100 percent of treated patients.

About 9 percent of patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events, compared to 3 percent of patients in the placebo group. Witzke estimated that the withdrawal of these patients could bring the number of patients with undetectable virus in the treatment arm down to around 80 percent.

On the other hand, Goldman Sachs analyst Meg Malloy, who maintains a "Neutral" rating on Vertex, increased her price target to $51 from $43 based on the 12-week data. Malloy called the 88 percent undetectable figure "robust" in a research note, and said the drug would likely be approved if this trend were to continue.

Malloy forecast the discontinuation rate in the treatment group could cause volatility in the stock, but should not become an issue with the Food and Drug Administration since the most common adverse event, a rash, is also common in other treatments.

Vertex spokesman Michael Partridge said the withdrawn patients will not affect the powering of the study, noting that a 10 percent to 20 percent discontinuation rate in hepatitis C studies is commonplace. Partridge said data on the first group of patients tested for a sustained virological response will be available in the second quarter, with results on all patients by late next year.

[auadoc]

Gibt es hier jemanden, der die Testergebnisse einzuordnen weis? Die Analysten scheinen sich ja wohl nicht einig zu sein.

[DiegoDiggler]

Bin mir leider auch nicht so ganz schlüssig. Bin ja kein Mediziner.
Aber wenn jetzt alle ein nicht-sinkendes Schiff verlassen, dann kauf ich nach!

[alimeli70499]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.202.781 von DiegoDiggler am 15.12.06 13:15:36

!!

[julszw12]

Glaxo SmithKline announced today that it is terminating the development of brecanavir, a new protease inhibitor licensed from Vertex, because of problems in developing an oral formulation of the drug.

The drug had reached phase II trials and early results in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients appeared promising. However, today the company said in a press release: “This decision has been taken as we have been unable to develop a viable oral dosage formulation capable of delivering the desired drug levels in patients with multi-drug-resistant HIV.”

People currently receiving brecanavir in clinical trials will be moved over to other therapies as appropriate.

The decision to discontinue development is a blow to Glaxo SmithKline’s hopes to develop a portfolio of new anti-HIV drugs. Last year the company was forced to abandon development of an agent in a new class of drugs, a chemokine antagonist, because of serious liver enzyme elevations and liver toxicity in three patients.

[stock_budgie]

Ich bin kein Basher - also bitte jetzt nicht auf mich eindreschen.

ich bin mir sicher, dass die Vertex im nächsten Jahr ziemlich abstürzen wird...Shorten kann ich sie nicht und Puts finde ich auc keine.

Hmm, was könnte ich denn nun machen, um auf fallende Kurse bei Vertex zu setzen??? Wäre um einen Rat sehr dankbar...

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.367.733 von stock_budgie am 21.12.06 12:17:39

So ein unfundierter Unsinn, dann shorte mal, VX950 ist doch noch gut im Rennen ??

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.385.184 von julszw12 am 22.12.06 00:36:12

....hmmmm, ich möchte nur wissen, wie ich bei der vertex auf fallende kurse setzen kann - also nochmal die frage, wie kann man auf fallende kurse setzen ohne zu shorten...leider gibt es keine puts...Hat jemand eine Idee??

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.409.208 von stock_budgie am 22.12.06 20:59:46

Merck and Vertex Announce Start of Pivotal Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Investigational Aurora Kinase Inhibitor MK-0457 (VX-680) in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Forms of Advanced Leukemias

— Vertex Earns $25 Million Milestone Payment Upon Start of Patient Dosing —

Whitehouse Station, NJ and Cambridge, MA, December 21, 2006 –– Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced the start of an international clinical trial of MK-0457 (also known as VX-680), an investigational small molecule inhibitor of Aurora, FLT-3, JAK-2 and BCR-ABL kinases. The trial will be conducted in patients with treatment resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) containing the T315I BCR-ABL mutation. In connection with the start of dosing in the trial, which is designed to support registration of MK-0457 in the United States and other countries, Vertex earned a $25 million milestone payment from Merck.

“This pivotal trial based on a population prospectively defined by a genetic marker will hopefully represent a new paradigm for development of drugs targeting specific cancer patient populations,” said Stephen H. Friend, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Franchise Head, Oncology and Neuroscience, Merck Research Laboratories. “MK-0457 is the first compound to show clinical activity in patients with certain treatment-resistant forms of blood cancers. Based on encouraging Phase 1 results reported recently at the American Society of Hematology meeting, we are moving forward with this international Phase 2 clinical trial in these patients.”

Clinical Trial Design
Merck will conduct the international Phase 2 clinical trial of MK-0457 at various sites in the United States, the European Union, and several other countries, including Israel. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 270 adult patients with advanced CML and ALL leukemias harboring the T315I BCR-ABL mutation. Patients in the study will be enrolled in one of four cohorts: patients with accelerated phase CML, patients with blast phase CML, patients with chronic phase CML and patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL with the T315I mutation. In the trial, MK-0457 will be given as a five-day intravenous infusion every two to three weeks to evaluate both safety and efficacy. Merck may seek marketing approval for MK-0457 based on the data generated in this trial. The trial has been designed to support registration of MK-0457 in one or more cancer indications for which there is currently little or no effective treatment.

The trial is now open for patient recruitment. If interested in more information about the trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov or call 1-888-577-8839. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier for this trial is NCT00405054.

Aurora Kinases and Cancer
Cancer cells typically contain mutations in a number of genes, which ultimately result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor metastasis. As enzymes specific for and essential to cell growth and division, Aurora kinases hold the potential to be important control points for slowing the growth and spread of tumors. Aurora kinases are a family of serine-threonine kinases that are believed to play multiple roles in the development and progression of cancer, by acting as regulators of cell proliferation, by transforming normal cells into cancer cells and by down-regulating p53, one of the body's natural tumor suppressors. Aurora kinases are known to be over-expressed in many tumor types.

Discovery of MK-0457 (VX-680)
MK-0457 was discovered by scientists at Vertex's Oxford, U.K. research site as part of a broad research effort targeting the kinase gene family. Vertex researchers published the three-dimensional atomic crystal structure of Aurora-A kinase in 2002, a key scientific advance that enabled the design and optimization of multiple classes of small molecule Aurora kinase inhibitors. MK-0457 advanced to preclinical development in 2002, following evaluation of the compound's activity in tumor cell lines and in animal models of tumor growth. In studies published in early 2004, Vertex demonstrated that MK-0457 induced tumor regression in xenograft models of human pancreatic and colon cancer. In addition, studies conducted by Vertex showed that MK-0457 prolonged survival and induced sustained remission in an oncogene-driven model of human acute myelocytic leukemia (AML).

In June 2004, Vertex entered into a global collaboration with Merck to develop and commercialize MK-0457 (VX-680) and other follow-on Aurora kinase inhibitors. As part of the collaboration, Vertex and Merck conducted a joint research program to characterize MK-0457's (VX-680) activity across a broad range of cancer types and identified additional drug candidates targeting the Aurora kinases.

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 26.453.632 von julszw12 am 24.12.06 18:13:40

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces 2007 Business Objectives at 25th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference

—PROVE program to prepare for Phase 3 initiation of telaprevir (VX-950)––
–– Expanding clinical development into important HCV sub-populations ––
–– Vertex building foundation for commercialization of telaprevir ––

Cambridge, MA, January 8, 2007– Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced its key business objectives for 2007 and provided an overview of recent developments, including highlights from research and development programs. Joshua Boger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, will provide a corporate update at the 25th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex’s website, www.vrtx.com, at 2:00 p.m. PST, January 9, 2007.

“ 2006 was a year characterized by significant clinical progress, including the first clinical data from the global Phase 2 development program, which established telaprevir as a leading investigational drug candidate for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection,” stated Dr. Boger. “With these important advancements, we are uniquely positioned in 2007 to build Vertex on telaprevir.”

“The initiation of Phase 3 clinical development with telaprevir is our primary objective for 2007. We anticipate that information derived from the PROVE program and other studies will support the design and initiation of a Phase 3 program,” continued Dr. Boger. “More broadly, we are building our capabilities and adding expertise in key areas—clinical development, regulatory affairs, quality control, supply chain management, and commercial development—designed to support an NDA filing in 2008.”

2007 Clinical and Corporate Objectives
Broad clinical development program for telaprevir (VX-950)

* Vertex today announced it has completed patient recruitment in the PROVE 2 trial in Europe of treatment naïve patients with HCV. Additionally, patient recruitment in the PROVE 3 trial is expected to commence in January.
PROVE 3 is a Phase 2b study of telaprevir in more than 400 patients with genotype-1 HCV who have not achieved SVR with a previous interferon-based treatment.
* To date, more than 600 patients have been enrolled in telaprevir clinical trials. PROVE 3 will increase this number to more than 1,000 patients. Vertex expects that clinical results from the PROVE program will provide important information supporting the design and initiation of Phase 3 trials in 2007.
* Vertex expects that it will expand clinical development of telaprevir into important HCV sub-populations in 2007, including patients with genotype 2 and genotype 3 HCV infection. Vertex also anticipates that it will initiate in 2007 a clinical trial exploring twice-daily dosing of telaprevir.
* Vertex is conducting a variety of clinical, manufacturing, regulatory and market development activities in 2007 to support an NDA filing in 2008.

VX-702 clinical study in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

* Vertex announced today that it has begun patient dosing in a 12-week, 120-patient Phase 2a clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and anti-inflammatory effects of VX-702 dosed on a background of methotrexate in patients with RA. In the first quarter of 2007, Vertex plans to initiate a thorough QTc study (required of all small molecule drugs prior to initiation of Phase 3) of VX-702 under an open investigational new drug (IND) application. Together, these studies are intended to support the design of late-stage clinical trials for VX-702.

VX-770 advancing to Phase 2 development in cystic fibrosis (CF)

* Vertex expects to begin in early 2007 a Phase 2 clinical trial of VX-770 in patients with CF. Vertex announced today that VX-770 received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. FDA for treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis. VX-770 was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA in 2006.

VX-680 (MK-0457) pivotal Phase 2 trial underway in treatment-resistant leukemias

* In December, Merck initiated a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial with VX-680 (MK-0457) in patients with treatment-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). The study is expected to enroll approximately 270 patients at sites in the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. The trial has been designed to support registration of MK-0457 in one or more cancer indications for which there is currently little or no effective treatment. Vertex received a $25 million milestone payment in connection with the start of this study.

First clinical trial for MK-6592 underway in advanced solid tumors

* Vertex announced today that Merck has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of MK-6592 in patients with advanced solid tumors. MK-6592 is a novel Aurora kinase inhibitor selected by Merck as part of a research collaboration to identify additional drug candidates targeting the Aurora kinases. Vertex received a $1.25 million milestone in connection with the start of this trial.

VX-883, a novel antibiotic active against multi-resistant strains, to enter clinical development in 2007

* In 2007, Vertex expects to commence preclinical activities for VX-883, a novel, dual-mechanism antibiotic with activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens, including multi-drug resistant strains. Based on the outcomes of these activities, the Company expects to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of VX-883 in 2007.

Review of 2006 Corporate and Clinical Achievements

* Telaprevir: Vertex initiated two major Phase 2 clinical trials of telaprevir in 2006, and announced new data that continue to support the profile of telaprevir as a promising investigational agent in the treatment of HCV. In June, Vertex and Janssen Pharmaceutica, entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. Vertex retains exclusive commercial rights in North America and is collaborating with Tibotec, an affiliate of Janssen, on global development of telaprevir. Under terms of the agreement, Vertex will receive a tiered royalty percentage averaging in the mid-twenties for sales in Janssen’s territories.
* VX-702: In 2006, Vertex completed a 315-patient Phase 2 trial of VX-702 dosed for 12 weeks in RA patients. Vertex also completed dosing of VX-702 and methotrexate in a drug-drug interaction study in patients with RA.
* VX-770: In 2006, working closely with the CF Foundation, Vertex completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of VX-770 in healthy volunteers and in patients with CF. In addition, Vertex also completed a bioavailability study of VX-770 with a new tablet formulation intended for use in Phase 2 trials.
* VX-680 (MK-0457): During 2006, Vertex and Merck reported data for VX-680 in patients with treatment-resistant forms of advanced leukemias and myeloproliferative disorders. The data, presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and published in the journal Blood, supported the initiation of a pivotal Phase 2 study, announced in December.
* Financing and Capital Structure: Vertex completed a secondary offering of common stock in September 2006, which resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $330.3 million. Vertex also reduced its 2007 debt obligations from $82.6 million to $42.1 million, and its 2011 debt obligation from $118.0 million to approximately $59.6 million through the completion of exchanges of debt for equity.

Vertex will report full-year 2006 financial results and financial guidance for 2007 on February 1, 2007.

Webcast:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals will webcast its corporate presentation at the 25th Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference on January 9, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. PST (5 p.m. EST). A link to the live webcast will be available via Vertex’s website, www.vrtx.com, in the Investor Center. An archived webcast of the presentation will be available on Vertex’s website through January 23, 2007.

About Vertex
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company’s strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex’s product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and bacterial infection. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

[[KERN]Codex]

[stock_budgie]

Hallo Leute - ich suche noch immer eine Möglichkeit die Vertex zu shorten bzw. puts...Kann mir denn niemand helfen

[Proteom]

!

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

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.467.491 von stock_budgie am 06.02.07 18:02:40

Was ist los mit Vertex verschiebt sich die Telaprevir Einfuehrunf auf 2008-2010 oder was ist los ?

[diegutefee]

Hallo Freunde,

schaut mal bei "Stem Cell Innovations" vorbei.

Kürzel: scll (in USA)

Herzliche Grüße

diegutefee

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.702.475 von julszw12 am 14.02.07 14:12:23

naja, also - die präsentierten daten sind gut aber ich habe bessere erwartet und der markt sieht dies wohl ähnlich...kennst du puts??

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.744.759 von stock_budgie am 16.02.07 12:40:21

Last week, drug maker and Motley Fool Rule Breakers pick Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) announced its 2006 financial results and gave updated guidance for this year.

2006 was a great year for Vertex shareholders, with the stock up 35% during that time. Vertex signed a solid partnership agreement with a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary and announced positive early- and mid-stage trial results for its hepatitis C drug, telaprevir. The positive telaprevir efficacy results were great, even if the compound was associated with some adverse effects.

In regards to telaprevir's development, 2006 can be considered the year that Vertex proved the drug works and that there will be at least some market for it. Considering the company's $4 billion market cap, and its expenses of more than $370 million last year in research and development costs alone, the future value of shares of Vertex is highly leveraged to the outcome of this drug in clinical development.

Since 2006 was all about proving that telaprevir worked, 2007 will be defined as the year that the market potential for the drug becomes much clearer. Vertex plans to begin the pivotal phase 3 studies of the drug later this year. The company also plans studies to test the drug among patients suffering from different types of HCV, expanding beyond just genotype 1 patients, as well as continued clinical trials of more convenient dosing regimes of the drug.

Drug development isn't cheap, and Vertex ended 2006 with $760 million in cash and equivalents. With an expected 2007 cash burn rate of $310 million, it will have at least another year and a half of money left in its coffers. And with more positive trial results, finding new sources of cash won't be a problem.

Based on the results of the telaprevir studies, some of which will be announced throughout the year, telaprevir's competitive profile and details about how doctors will use the drug in comparison to existing HCV treatments should become much more transparent. If the trial results are strong enough and discussions with the FDA are positive, Vertex may potentially file a marketing application for telaprevir by late 2008. The width of the patient population it will potentially reach will define the drug's success in the market -- and Vertex's future stock price -- so investors should pay attention to the clinical trial results coming out this year and next.

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.762.769 von julszw12 am 16.02.07 22:20:14

falls die SVR von telepravir im vergleich zu SOC statistisch nicht signifikant ist, dann hätte ich gerne puts ...but we will see...

[blb]

stock_budgie, ich weiß nicht, was für ein Problem du hast. Dass das Medikament auf den Markt kommt ist für mich absolut sicher. Die Ergebnisse waren bislang überragend. Dadurch wurden jedoch auch die Erwartungen in Höhen geschraubt, die nicht mehr erfüllt werden konnten. Enttäuschung machte sich breit. Mittlerweile ist das Ding aber 15 Dollar gefallen. Unterstützung bei 30 Dollar. Es geht nur mehr um das Marktpotenzial des Medikaments. Du schreibst so, als würdest du auf ein Scheitern setzen. Ich denke, damit verbrennst du dir eher die Finger.

Wünsch dir trotzdem viel Erfolg...

Grüße
blb

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.773.081 von blb am 17.02.07 12:20:05

Ich habe kein Problem??

Selbstverständlich hoffe ich für alle Erkrankte, dass Telaprevir hält was es verspricht...Wir werden sehen was als SVR Rate rauskommt.

[blb]

Scheint einen Boden bei 30$ zu bilden. Jetzt kann man mit engem Stopp auf einen Rebound spekulieren...

Grüße
blb

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 27.853.897 von blb am 20.02.07 18:10:40

schaut euch lieber mal das nebenwirkungsprofil an...

[blb]

Im April kommen neue Daten, dann werden die Shorties gegrillt!

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.339.624 von blb am 17.03.07 09:50:56

ist noch zu früh für SVR Daten - es zählt die SVR 6 Monate nach Therapieende...Erst wenn diese Daten draussen sind, werden wir sehen ob die Shorties oder die Longs gegrillt werden

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.406.426 von stock_budgie am 21.03.07 12:36:48

ich denke kurs zieht an in Vorwegnahme der naechsten Daten die naechste Woche auf der Europaeischen Leberkonferenz vorgestellt werden

[blb]

Die Daten sollten in den nächsten 2 Wochen kommen. Ich bin klar long bei der Aktie!

Grüße
blb

[rafelguraf]

was ist denn hier los ?? Hat jemand irgendwelche news gehört ?

[blb]

Die Daten kommen morgen! Viel Glück allen Longs und v.a. allen Hepatitis-Patienten!

[julszw12]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.805.394 von blb am 13.04.07 22:50:25

ja daten aber nicht SVR wir muessen weiter warten glaube ich
J

[blb]

Alles über 70 Prozent wurde als Homerun bezeichnet, wir haben 78%....



Interim Results Presented at EASL from PROVE 1 Clinical Trial of Investigational Drug Telaprevir in Patients with Genotype 1 Hepatitis C
-- PROVE 1 data support potential to shorten treatment duration in treatment-naive, genotype 1 HCV patients --

BARCELONA, Spain, Apr 14, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In a late-breaker presentation at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), researchers today presented data from a planned interim analysis of the PROVE 1 clinical trial, which is the first trial to evaluate short-duration therapy with the investigational hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir (TVR, VX-950) in combination with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) in treatment-naive, genotype 1-infected hepatitis C patients. The data from PROVE 1 demonstrated a high rate of rapid viral response (RVR) in the telaprevir groups and a low rate of on-treatment viral breakthrough, and suggested that 12 weeks of telaprevir-based therapy enabled some patients to clear the virus. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is developing telaprevir in collaboration with Tibotec.
"The high rates of RVR observed in the telaprevir groups in PROVE 1, and the fact that some patients have remained persistently viral negative 20 weeks after stopping the 12 weeks of telaprevir-based therapy, suggest that we may be able to shorten the treatment duration in genotype 1 HCV patients," said John McHutchison, M.D., Principal Investigator for the PROVE 1 study and Director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research at Duke Clinical Research Institute. "These interim results are encouraging and suggest that high sustained viral response (SVR) rates may be achieved with regimens that are 24 weeks in total duration. We look forward to 24 week follow-up data from the initial group of patients who stopped treatment at 12 weeks, and follow-up data from patients in the study who received 24 weeks of treatment."
PROVE 1 Summary
-- 88% and 79% of patients receiving telaprevir achieved a rapid viral response (RVR) as measured by plasma HCV RNA (less than)30 IU/mL and (less than)10 IU/mL, respectively, at 4 weeks.
-- Six of 9 patients in one treatment arm who completed 12 weeks of treatment, and who had achieved an RVR as defined by the study protocol ((less than)10 IU/mL), continued to have undetectable HCV RNA 20 weeks after stopping all treatment ("SVR20").
-- The treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events through 12 weeks was 11% in telaprevir arms and 3% in the control arm. Rash, gastrointestinal events and anemia were the most common events leading to discontinuation in the telaprevir arms.
"These interim results support our approach to evaluating telaprevir-based regimens of differing durations in our Phase 2 program. The results of the 12-week duration regimen provide a level of confidence in the shorter duration approach, and we look forward to safety and antiviral data, including SVR data, from the 24-week telaprevir-based regimens," said John Alam, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medicines Development, and Chief Medical Officer of Vertex. "The information from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 should allow us to design optimized durations and regimens for Phase 3 development."
PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 represent two of three large, ongoing clinical studies of telaprevir. In aggregrate, the three studies are designed in part to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of different durations of telaprevir-based therapy in genotype-1 infected HCV treatment-naive and treatment-failure patients, both with and without ribavirin. Taken together, the PROVE studies are expected to provide information to optimize the treatment duration and treatment regimen for telaprevir-based therapy.
PROVE 1: Implications for Clinical Development and Registration Path
Vertex today discussed the potential implications that the new information from PROVE 1 has for future clinical development of telaprevir. Vertex stated its intention to consider evaluation of treatment regimens that would include telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, and depending on PROVE 2 data, regimens that may exclude RBV. Vertex expects to focus on treatment durations of no more than 24 weeks. Vertex and Tibotec are planning to meet with regulatory authorities to discuss the Phase 3 design in mid-2007 and are planning to initiate Phase 3 clinical development in the fourth quarter of 2007. The registration strategy and timing of an NDA filing will be dependent on discussions with regulatory authorities.
PROVE 1 Results at EASL
Interim 12-week antiviral analysis of PROVE 1
A total of 250 patients were enrolled in PROVE 1 and received at least one dose of telaprevir or placebo in addition to Peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN) + ribavirin (RBV) in the study. A total of 175 patients received at least one dose of telaprevir in 1 of 3 arms (treatment arms B, C and D) and 75 patients received at least one dose of placebo (arm A). Treatment with telaprevir resulted in a high proportion of patients achieving a rapid viral response at 4 weeks. At the time of the interim analysis, all patients had either completed 12 weeks or discontinued from the study prior to week 12. Available 4-week and 12-week results are detailed in the following table:

Interim HCV RNA results for Patients Enrolled in the PROVE 1 Trial
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Treatment Assignment Patients Patients Patients Patients
with with with with HCV
HCV RNA HCV RNA HCV RNA RNA (less
(less (less (less than)10
than)30 than)10 than)10 IU/mL at
IU/mL IU/mL IU/mL end of 12
at end at end at end weeks of
of 4 of 4 of 12 dosing
weeks weeks weeks (last on-
of of of treatment
dosing dosing dosing, value
DC=F carried
(a) forward)
---------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------
TVR + peg-IFN + RBV (arms B, C 153 of 138 of 123 of 149 of 175
and D) 175 175 175 (85%)
(88%) (79%) (70%)
---------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------
Placebo + peg-IFN + RBV (arm A) 12 of 75 8 of 75 29 of 75 32 of 75
(16%) (11%) (39%) (43%)
---------------------------------------- -------- -------- ----------
(a) Intent-to-treat, discontinuation=failure analysis. Patients who
had HCV RNA (less than)10 IU/mL at the time of discontinuation are
counted as "failures", however these patients will be followed post-
discontinuation to determine if they achieve a sustained viral
response (SVR).
---------------------------------------------------------------------



In PROVE 1, a low rate of viral breakthrough was observed. Viral breakthrough occurred in 12 patients receiving telaprevir (7%), all but one of which occurred in the first 4 weeks of treatment.
Analysis of PROVE 1 Patients who Finished All Treatment at 12 Weeks
Seventeen of 175 patients received at least one dose of telaprevir in "Arm D" of the PROVE 1 study (telaprevir + peg-IFN + RBV). According to the study protocol, patients in Arm D were eligible to stop all treatment at week 12 if they met on-treatment criteria, including the achievement of RVR ((less than)10 IU/mL at week 4) and maintenance of this viral response ((less than)10 IU/mL) at week 10 of treatment. Nine of 17 patients met these criteria and stopped therapy at 12 weeks, and 6 of these patients continued to have undetectable HCV RNA at week 20 of post-treatment follow-up. Of the remaining 8 patients enrolled in Arm D, 4 discontinued due to adverse events prior to week 12, and 4 did not achieve RVR.
Interim 12-Week Safety Analysis of PROVE 1
In PROVE 1, the types of adverse events that have been commonly observed with interferon and ribavirin were seen across all treatment arms. The most common adverse events, regardless of treatment assignment, were fatigue, rash, headache and nausea. Gastrointestinal disorders, rash and anemia were more common in the telaprevir arms.
In the telaprevir dosing arms, the incidence of treatment discontinuations due to adverse events through 12 weeks was 11% (19 of 175 patients), compared to 3% (2 of 75 patients) in the control arm. The difference between the two groups is due to the greater number of discontinuations due to rash, gastrointestinal disorders and anemia in the telaprevir arms compared to the control arm. The most common reason for treatment discontinuation in the telaprevir arms was rash (7 patients), and the median time to discontinuation in these patients was 64 days.
Webcast of Investor Presentation
Vertex intends to provide a live webcast of its investor presentation from Barcelona beginning at 7:30 p.m. CEST (1:30 p.m. EDT) on Saturday, April 14. The presentation may be accessed from the 'Events Calendar' on the homepage of Vertex's website at www.vrtx.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Company's website until April 27, 2007. To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.
About Telaprevir (VX-950)
Telaprevir (VX-950) is an investigational oral inhibitor of HCV protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents in development that specifically targets HCV. Vertex is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that are expected to enroll approximately 1,000 patients with genotype-1 HCV at clinical centers in the United States, Canada and Europe. In these clinical trials, telaprevir is being dosed as 750 mg every eight hours in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R)), both with and without ribavirin (Copegus(R)).
Vertex retains commercial rights to telaprevir in North America. Vertex and Tibotec are collaborating to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and other countries. Vertex is collaborating with Mitsubishi Pharma to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Japan and certain Far East countries.
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of people with the disease. HCV, a serious public health concern affecting 170 million people worldwide, is spread through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever. Hepatitis C significantly increases a person's risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and early death.
About Vertex
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and bacterial infection. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.
Vertex's press releases are available at www.vrtx.com.
About Tibotec
Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., based in Cork, Ireland, is a pharmaceutical research and development company. Tibotec is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative HIV/AIDS drugs and anti-infectives for diseases of high unmet medical need. The Company's main research and development facilities are in Mechelen, Belgium with offices in Yardley, PA.
For further information on Tibotec, please visit www.tibotec.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release my contain forward-looking statements, including statements that (i) PROVE 1 data support potential to shorten treatment duration and increase SVR rates in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection; (ii) 12 weeks of telaprevir-based therapy enabled some patients to clear the virus; (iii) high SVR rates with telaprevir may be achieved with regimens that are no longer than 24 weeks in duration; (iv) interim results support our approach to evaluating telaprevir-based regimens of differing durations in our Phase 2 program; (v) the information from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 will allow us to design optimized durations and regimens for Phase 3 development; (vi) the PROVE studies are expected to provide information to optimize treatment duration and treatment regimen for telaprevir-based therapy; (vii) Vertex will consider evaluation of treatment regimens that would include telaprevir in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, and depending on PROVE 2 data, regimens that may exclude RBV; (viii) Vertex expects to focus on treatment durations of no more than 24 weeks; and (ix) Vertex and Tibotec are planning to meet with regulatory authorities to discuss the Phase 3 design in mid-2007 and are planning to initiate Phase 3 clinical development in the fourth quarter of 2007. While management makes its best efforts to be accurate in making forward-looking statements, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of studies to vary materially. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that observed outcomes in clinical investigations of small numbers of patients will not be reflected in clinical trials involving larger numbers of patients, that unexpected and adverse outcomes in other ongoing clinical and nonclinical studies will occur, that the FDA or other regulatory authorities will require additional and unanticipated studies or clinical trial outcomes before granting regulatory approval, and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2007. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new data become available.
(VRTX-G)
SOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Lynne H. Brum, 617-444-6614 VP, Strategic Communications or Michael Partridge, 617-444-6108 Director, Corporate Communications or Patricia Farrell, 617-444-6533 Director, Public Relations or Lora Pike, 617-444-6755 Manager, Investor Relations or Zachry Barber, 617-444-6470 Senior Media Relations Specialist or Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. Karen Manson, Mobile: [phone] VP Communications and Public Affairs Office: [phone] Copyright Business Wire 2007 End of Story

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.813.292 von blb am 14.04.07 18:16:35

wo liesst du denn die 78%?

sollten wir nicht eher die SVR 24 (6 monate) daten abwarten...??

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.813.292 von blb am 14.04.07 18:16:35

bezieht sich die dropout rate 11% auf die 12 wochen??

wieviele würden die tx stoppen, wenn es noch länger gehen würde?

meinst du wirklich die zahlen sind ein homerun??

[blb]

Es sind 79%! Vertex ist dabei, die aktuelle Behandlungsdauer von Hepatitis C minimum um die Hälfte zu reduzieren bei Nebenwirkungen, die absolut im Rahmen sind... Wenn das kein Homerun ist, weiß ich auch nicht. Die aktuelle Studie betraf nur 12 Wochen Behandlungszeit. Was denkst du, wie dann erst die Resultate bei 24 Wochen aussehen werden, wenn wir bei 12 Wochen schon 79% hatten? Also du kannst das Teil gerne shorten, für mich ist Vertex ein klarer Langfrist-Long auf Sicht von 2-5 Jahren!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Alsohab mir das Ganze nochmal angesehen, hab einiges durcheinandergebracht.

1. 79% mit undetectable Levels nach vier Wochen
2. 6 von 9, also 66% mit undetectable Levels nach 12 Wochen Behandlung und 20 Wochen nach Ende der Behandlung
3. Selbst wenn die 24 Wochen die normale Behandlungsdauer werden sollten für Telaprevir und nicht 12 Wochen, wär das immer noch eine Halbierung der aktuellen Behandlungszeit von 48 Wochen.

Näheres dazu im Bericht von Adam Feuerstein von street.com!

Offene Fragen:

- Was wird die Behandlungsdauer für Telaprebir, 12 oder 24 Wochen?
- Wie hoch ist die undetectable Rate bei mehreren Patienten 20 Wochen nach Behandlungsstopp (also 100-300 beispielsweise), um die Aussagekraft zu erhöhen.

Grüße
blb

[stock_budgie]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 28.836.208 von blb am 16.04.07 13:45:55

yep, denn 6 von 9 sind nach 20 wochen noch virusnachweisfrei - das sind nach meiner berechnung so um die 66% (nach 20 wochen also SVR20 - und nicht SVR24)...das vx950 wirkt ist ein sehr gutes zeichen - aber von einem homerun ist noch nicht zu sprechen...ich finde die ergebnisse auch gut aber nicht phänomenal - vor allem im hinblick auf einen MK von 3,7 Milliarden (und der markt scheint dies wohl ähnlich zu sehen)- da ist das papier schon gut bewertet...wären wir bei einer MK von 1 Milliarde wäre ich der erste der die order drinnen hätte...

[blb]

Naja es ging ja darum, die Aktie zu shorten und da gibt es zig bessere Chancen. Marketcap rührt daher, da Telaprevir Blugbusterpotenzial zugestanden wird. Billig ist Vertex aktuell sicher nicht mehr, da geb ich dir Recht!

Grüße
blb

[blb]

Vertex heute gegen den Markt stark. Gab ein Pipelineupdate. Halte die Aktie weiterhin neben PDLI als Langfristposition.

[Tom.N]

@galaxy: wußte gar nicht, dass es einen noch schlimmer erwischt hat als mich. Mein Schnitt liegt bei 83,66€.

@gebby: na mal sehen, wahscheinlich sinds 20. Wahrscheinlich ruft das neue Mittel Pocker hervor o.Ä.

@betterthantherest: hmm...Kaufkriterien überdenken. Warum kauft man Aktien, weil der aktuellen Lage nach (eigene Informationen zum Papier/Unternehmen und vielleicht Infos über den Markt) die Wahrscheinlichkeit hoch ist, dass sie steigen.
Warum kaufst Du ein Papier? Weil auf einigen schöne Bilder drauf sind (z.B. Harley Davidson oder Zoo Berlin)?
Oder bist Du Altruist? Dann Hut ab, es sollte mehr davon geben!

Tom.N

[betterthantherest]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 31.078.687 von Tom.N am 08.08.07 13:56:23

Ich kaufe Aktien um mich an Unternehmen zu beteiligen und dabei interessiert mich zuerst einmal wenig, ob die Aktie steigen könnte oder nicht. Vielmehr sehe ich mir an, was ich aktuell bezahle und was ich dafür bekomme.

Ist wie bei jedem anderen Kauf auch.

Ob Auto, Fernseher oder Waschmaschine, jeder halbwegs vernünftige Mensch hat eine Vorstellung, was man dafür ausgeben sollte.

Wenn ich mir einen Golf kaufe und dafür das zehn oder gar das hundertfache des Listenpreises hinlege, handle ich wenig Intelligenz gesteuert.

Warum also nicht auch bei Aktien normale Überlegungen anstellen?

Ich stelle mir also vor, ich könnte das gesamte Unternehmen kaufen und würde es die nächsten 10, 20 oder mehr Jahre behalten. (Aktienkurse gäbe es dann natürlich keine mehr.)

Was mich interessiert mich dann noch? Na einzig und allein wie viel mir der Laden in den nächsten Jahren wohl einbringen wird. Nichts anderes. (Bei Vertex muss man wohl eher fragen, was kostet mich der Laden)

Ist das Ergebnis voraussichtlich negativ, null oder auf dem Niveau einer Sparbuchverzinsung, so erübrigt sich ein Kauf.

Solcherlei Überlegung schützt zwar nicht vor allem, aber doch vor so mancher Dummheit (zu teurer Einstieg).

[betterthantherest]

Das liest sich nicht schlecht.

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/newsanalysis/biotech/1037448…

[mumpfi]

Vertex Announces Publication of Abstracts for Presentation at 58th AASLD Meeting: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq:VRTX) today announced that 6 abstracts related to its investigational hepatitis C protease inhibitor telaprevir have been accepted for presentation at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), November 2-6, 2007, and are being published online by the AASLD. Included in these abstracts are planned presentations of interim data from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2, two randomized, controlled Phase 2 studies of telaprevir. Vertex is developing telaprevir in collaboration with Tibotec.



At the AASLD conference, Vertex expects that researchers will present the most recent antiviral and safety data that are available from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2. Data from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 being presented at AASLD represent interim analyses, and Vertex continues to gather information on the safety and antiviral effect of telaprevir-based therapy to determine the appropriate regimens and durations for evaluation in further studies. An overview of PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 clinical studies, expected data available, and abstract title and presentation time information are provided below.

PROVE 1 (Study 104)

PROVE 1 is an ongoing, four-arm, 250-patient Phase 2 study whose primary objective is to assess the proportion of patients who achieve sustained viral response (SVR), defined as undetectable (less than 10 IU/mL, as measured by the Roche TaqMan(R) assay) HCV RNA 24 weeks after the completion of dosing. The study is assessing patients who receive telaprevir-based treatment durations of 12, 24 and 48 weeks, compared to a 48-week control arm of Peg-IFN+RBV. PROVE 1 is being conducted at more than 30 clinical centers in the U.S.

Key interim data expected to be available at AASLD include:

-- 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data from patients from the "12+12" arm, who received telaprevir dosed in combination with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks with peg-IFN and RBV alone (arm C of PROVE 1)

-- 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data from patients who received telaprevir dosed in combination with peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks only (arm D of PROVE 1)

-- End of treatment data from patients from the "12+36" arm, who received telaprevir dosed in combination with peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks, followed by 36 weeks with peg-IFN and RBV alone (arm B of PROVE 1)

-- End of treatment data from patients from the control arm, who received 48 weeks of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV only (arm A of PROVE 1)

-- Available data on safety and tolerability across all arms of the study, including characterization of the most commonly observed adverse events, and identification of the adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation.

PROVE 1 data will be presented on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. The abstract is titled "Interim Analysis Results from a Phase II Study of Telaprevir with Peg-interferon alfa-2a and Ribavirin in Treatment-naive Subjects with Hepatitis C," and the authors are I. M. Jacobson, G. T. Everson, S. C. Gordon, R. Kauffman, L. McNair, A. Muir, and J. G. McHutchison.

PROVE 2 (Study 104EU)

PROVE 2 is a four-arm Phase 2 study of approximately 320 patients whose primary objective is to assess the proportion of patients who achieve SVR. The study assesses patients who receive telaprevir-based treatment durations of 12, 24 and 48 weeks, compared to a 48-week control arm. PROVE 2 is being conducted at more than 40 clinical centers in Europe.

Key interim data expected to be presented at AASLD include:

-- 12 week post-treatment (SVR12) data from patients in the "12+12" arm (arm B of PROVE 2)

-- 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data from patients who received telaprevir dosed in combination with peg-IFN and RBV for 12 weeks only (arm C of PROVE 2)

-- 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data from patients who received telaprevir dosed in combination with peg-IFN for 12 weeks only, without RBV (arm D of PROVE 2)

-- Available on-treatment data for patients in the control arm, who received 48 weeks of therapy with peg-IFN and RBV (arm A of PROVE 2).

-- Available data on safety and tolerability across all arms of the study, including characterization of the most commonly observed adverse events, and identification of the adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation.

PROVE 2 data will be presented on Monday, November 5, 2007. The abstract is titled "PROVE 2: Phase II Study of VX-950 (Telaprevir) in Combination with Peginterferon alfa-2a with or without Ribavirin in Subjects with Chronic Hepatitis C, First Interim Analysis," and the authors are C. Hezode, P. Ferenci, G. M. Dusheiko, S. Pol, T. Goeser, J. Bronowicki, S. Gharakhanian, D. Devonish, R. Kauffman, J. Alam, J. Pawlotsky, and S. Zeuzem.

Additional Telaprevir Abstracts at AASLD

In addition to those abstracts for PROVE 1 and PROVE 2, four abstracts related to the telaprevir development program were accepted for presentation at AASLD. These are listed below.

"Final Results of Patients Treated with Peg-interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFN) and Ribavirin (RBV) Follow-on Therapy After 28-day Treatment with Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor Telaprevir (VX-950), Peg-IFN and RBV," M. Rodriguez-Torres, E. J. Lawitz, J. G. McHutchison, Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 11:15am (Abstract 175).

Patients in this exploratory Phase 2a study received 28 days of telaprevir dosed in combination with peg-IFN and RBV, and subsequently received post-study therapy with peg-IFN and RBV through a total of 48 weeks of treatment. 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data will be presented.

"Final Results of Patients Receiving Peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN) and Ribavirin (RBV) After a 14-day Study of the Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor Telaprevir (VX-950) with peg-IFN," C. J. Weegink, N. Forestier, P. L. Jansen, S. Zeuzem, H. W. Reesink, Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 8:00am-12:30pm (Abstract 1309).

Patients in this exploratory Phase 1b study received 14 days of telaprevir dosed either alone or in combination with peg-IFN, or 14 days of peg-IFN alone, and subsequently received post-study therapy with peg-IFN and RBV through 24 or 48 weeks. 24-week post-treatment (SVR24) data will be presented.

"Evaluation of Viral Variants During a Phase 2 Study (PROVE2) of Telaprevir with Peginterferon alfa-2A and Ribavirin in Treatment-naive HCV Genotype 1-Infected Patients," T. Kieffer, Y. Zhou, E. Zhang, M. Marcial, R. Byrn, T. Pfeiffer, J. Miller, A. Tigges, D. Bartels, A. Kwong, P. Ferenci, G. Dusheiko, S. Zeuzem, J. Pawlotsky, Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 8:00am-12:30pm (Abstract LB8).

Data will be presented characterizing viral variants isolated from patients participating in the PROVE 2 study.

"Telaprevir Resistance Mutations in Patients with Hepatitis C who Relapsed After Sequential Therapy with Telaprevir, Peg-interferon alfa 2a and Ribavirin," N. Forestier, S. Susser, M. W. Welker, C. J. Weegink, H. W. Reesink, S. Zeuzem, C. Sarrazin, Sunday, November 4, 2007, 5:00pm (Abstract 50).

Data will be presented characterizing viral variants isolated from patients who participated in the study described in abstract 1309 listed above.

About Telaprevir (VX-950)

Telaprevir (VX-950) is an investigational oral inhibitor of HCV protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, and is one of the most advanced investigational agents in development that specifically targets HCV. Vertex is conducting a global Phase 2b clinical development program for telaprevir consisting of three large clinical trials that has enrolled more than 1,000 patients with HCV at clinical centers in the U.S., Canada and E.U. In these clinical trials, telaprevir is being dosed as 750 mg every 8 hours in combination with peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys(R)), both with and without ribavirin (Copegus(R)). Data from PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 being presented at AASLD represent interim analyses, and Vertex continues to gather information on the safety and antiviral effect of telaprevir-based therapy to determine the appropriate regimens and durations for evaluation in further studies.

Vertex retains commercial rights to telaprevir in North America. Vertex and Tibotec are collaborating to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and other countries. Vertex is collaborating with Mitsubishi Pharma to develop and commercialize telaprevir in Japan and certain Far East countries.

About Vertex

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for serious diseases. The Company's strategy is to commercialize its products both independently and in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies. Vertex's product pipeline is focused on viral diseases, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, pain and bacterial infection. Vertex co-discovered the HIV protease inhibitor, Lexiva, with GlaxoSmithKline.

Lexiva is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our expectation that certain clinical data from the Company's ongoing PROVE 1 and PROVE 2 clinical trials will be available for disclosure at the AASLD conference. While we believe this forward-looking statement to be accurate, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by this forward-looking statement. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the outcomes for each of the referenced ongoing clinical trials may not be available within expected timelines, for technical or scientific reasons. We disclaim any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new data become available.

Vertex's press releases are available at www.vrtx.com.

(VRTX-GEN)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Lynne H. Brum, 617-444-6614
Vice President, Strategic Communications
or
Michael Partridge, 617-444-6108
Director, Corporate Communications
or
Patricia Farrell, 617-444-6533
Director, Public Relations
or
Lora Pike, 617-444-6755
Manager, Investor Relations

[Zock1000]

Tach alle,

weiß jemand, was da gestern (17.10.) in Amiland bei Vertex abgegangen ist? Ich finde nix dazu.

Bin zwar bei ca. 27,80 € raus und wollte wieder billiger nachladen - nur, so billig hatte ich nicht erwartet.

Gruß
Zock

[TnS]

Vertex Pharma Falls on Rival Drug's Data
Associated Press 10.18.07, 3:10 PM ET

NEW YORK - Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. fell sharply Thursday, as analysts predicted the company's hepatitis C drug candidate will face competition, based on surprisingly positive data from a rival Schering-Plough drug.

Shares fell $4.26, or 11.9 percent, to $31.57 during afternoon trading. Over the past year, the Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech has traded between $25.61 and $45.38.

Early Thursday Schering-Plough Corp. (nyse: SGP - news - people ) reported encouraging results from an ongoing mid-stage study for its boceprevir hepatitis C treatment, which Citi Investment Research analyst Dr. Yaron Werber said showed a higher response rate in patients than those taking Vertex's telaprevir, also in Phase II trials.

Werber said in boceprevir's study, 79 percent of patients achieved early viral response within 12 weeks compared with the control group. In the Vertex trial, 70 percent of patients achieved the same outcome.

"The Phase II SPRINT-1 data from Schering Plough's boceprevir with a new dosing scheme is solid and will be highly competitive against Vertex's telaprevir," said Werber, in a note to investors.

Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jason Kolbert agreed, saying the limited data in Schering-Plough's press release suggests, "as we have always maintained, that boceprevir is, and can be, a viable competitor to VX-950 (telaprevir)."

Meanwhile, Werber shrugged off earlier negative data from boceprevir, and instead focused on the competitive threat it now presents to Vertex.

"While investors largely wrote off boceprevir due to early disappointing results, the drug confers a strong efficacy and safety profile relative to telaprevir," he said.

Schering-Plough's stock rose 78 cents, or 2.4 percent, to $33 in afternoon trading.


Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed


vielleicht hilft dir das weiter . . .

[TnS]

18.10.07 22:19 (dpa-AFX)

An der NASDAQ stürzten Vertex Pharmaceuticals um 13,18 Prozent auf 31,10 Dollar
ab. Nach Einschätzung eines Citigroup-Analysten geriet die Aktie wegen neuer
Studienerfolge des konkurrierenden Hepatitis-C-Medikaments von Schering-Plough
unter Druck.

[TnS]

Ich denke das der Abschlag etwas übertrieben ist , da es sich nur um Studienerfolge des Konkurenz Mittels handelt und nicht um Forschungsergebnisse im eigenen Haus.

Zum Chart: Der zweite Tag zeigt eine Abschwächung des negativen Trends.
Geringere Abverkäufe, gefolgt von aufkommenden Zukäufen könnten eine Trendumkehr zur Folge haben.
RSI & Momentum zeigen auch eine überverkaufte Situation dar

[Zock1000]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.091.121 von TnS am 19.10.07 23:28:50

"Zum Chart: Der zweite Tag zeigt eine Abschwächung des negativen Trends.
Geringere Abverkäufe, gefolgt von aufkommenden Zukäufen könnten eine Trendumkehr zur Folge haben."


Das sehe ich (jetzt) auch so.
Wenn ich allerdings gar keine Infos habe und/oder finde, macht mir das schon ein komisches Gefühl in der Magengegend. Dann pfeife ich auch auf Chartinterpretationen (-13 % sind keine übliche "Schwäche" zum Zuschlagen).

So aber - habt Dank edler Ritter.

Gruß
Zock

[betterthantherest]

http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/10/19/scherings-gai…

[TnS]

Dieses Szenario birgt Potential für eine Rally, da viele Positionen umgeschichtet wurden.
zum Chart:Eine Bestätigung des Trends bringt der dritte Tag.Das Tagestief vom Vortag wurde nicht erreicht und hat fast am Tageshoch geschlossen, wobei der Schlusskurs höher liegt wie zum Vortag.
Der Stochastic, RSI sowie das Momentum signalisieren alle ein Kaufsignal.
Der MACD jedoch noch nicht, was weiterhin nicht schlimm ist. Sollte der MACD ein Kaufsignal liefern so würde er den Aufwärtstrend bestätigen, da die anderen Oszillatoren Frühindikatoren sind.
Wichtig ist das wir über den Bereich von 33 $ steigen.

[TnS]

Der Trend wurde bestätigt.Ein gutes Zeichen, dass sich der Aufwärtstrend festigt. Der Schlusskurs hat auf Tageshoch geschlossen und es sollte weiter steigende Kurse geben.

[clearasil]

hier das Transkript der Telefonkonferenz zu den q3Zahlen.

Klingt gut und einige neue Kandidaten in der Entwicklung.
Vertex ist eine der spannendsten biotechs.
Ab Ende der Woche neue telaprevirdaten.
Hoffen wir das Beste- für die Patienten und für das Depot.

gruß clearasil

[betterthantherest]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.204.557 von clearasil am 30.10.07 15:10:48

Kaum wartet man ein Jahrzehnt, schon stehen die ersten Medikamente kurz vor ihrer Entwicklung.

Statt spannendsten wäre mir lukrativsten lieber.

[clearasil]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.207.011 von betterthantherest am 30.10.07 17:38:37

Deswegen ja die depotwünsche. Du scheinst ein echter Langfristinvestor zu sein?
Wenn das mit telaprevir klappt, wirst du üppig belohnt werden.

[betterthantherest]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.212.066 von clearasil am 31.10.07 02:09:49

Na ich hoffe doch sehr.

[clearasil]

Jetzt wird es wieder einmal spannender, als es einem vielleicht lieb sein kann - außer für Jungs, die gerne auf Pferde wetten. Ich glaube, ich werde langsam zu alt für so etwas.

Neue Daten, die etwas schlechter zu sein scheinen, als die Erwartungen. Das könnte nicht gut ankommen, beim Volk. Der große Demütiger dürfte einen Auftritt aufs Parkett legen.

Ich denke nach wie vor, angesichts fehlender Alternativem ist telaprevir eine Hoffnung für alle Patienten. Aber ob es der Goldstandard wird ist fraglich. Siehe: Nebenwirkungen.
Konjurrenz ist auch im Anmarsch.

Ich habe einen, wenn-alle-stricke-reissen stop-loss gesetzt.


http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN014522932007…

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.256.291 von clearasil am 02.11.07 14:52:59

hallo, bin heute anhand der starken abgabe bei 19.65 mit 1000 stk. eingestiegen. bin gespannt wie es weitergeht

[clearasil]

noch ein neuer interessanter artikel

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/business/02drug.html?ex=12…

es scheint also noch einen neuen kandidaten zu geben. vertex im Augenblick premarket -12%.
Nix für schwache Nerven.

[clearasil]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.256.865 von chronoswiss am 02.11.07 15:23:16

du bist ein mutiger mann. Dies sieht aus wie ein scharfes japanisches küchenmesser, das nach unten saust. Ich bin noch drin, aber es wird knapp.

good luck clearasil

[clearasil]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.257.105 von clearasil am 02.11.07 15:35:50

die 27 dollar scheinen zu halten, prächtige kurslücke.

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.257.192 von clearasil am 02.11.07 15:40:55

habe sicherheitshalber sl gesetzt

[clearasil]

ceo bogner hat interview auf cnbc gegeben, relapse rate scheint sehr gut zu sein, und das ist was zählt. Drüben wahrscheinlich auch eine shortattacke, die lieben aktien mit fortgeschrittener bewertung.
Gute idee mit dem stop.

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.257.312 von clearasil am 02.11.07 15:47:39

... so schnell gehts und alles sieht schon nicht mehr so düster aus

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.257.372 von chronoswiss am 02.11.07 15:51:55

ist mir momentan doch zu heiss. bin mit 20.33 wieder raus.
sorry

[clearasil]

oh, ich wußte nicht, dass du so langfristig investierst?!

[Zock1000]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.258.620 von clearasil am 02.11.07 17:12:53

Mannomannomann,
wäre ich auch mal vorsichtiger gewesen.

Gerade hat es das Juni-Tief durchschlagen.
Jetzt brauche ich auch nicht mehr raus - hätte auch kein Stopp-Loss was genutzt.

Gruß
Zock

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.292.882 von Zock1000 am 05.11.07 16:09:24

da hab ich ja gerade noch mal schwein gehabt

[chronoswiss]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.293.363 von chronoswiss am 05.11.07 16:30:37

... vertex ist wohl opfer einer shortattacke geworden. bei 15 sollte schluss sein, sonst sieht es wirklich übel aus

[Shareholder33]

Rating-Update: New York (aktiencheck.de AG) - Die Analysten von Rodman & Renshaw stufen die Aktie von Vertex Pharmaceuticals (ISIN US92532F1003/ WKN 882807) von "market outperform" auf "market perform" zurück. (05.11.2007/ac/a/u)

[clearasil]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.294.432 von Shareholder33 am 05.11.07 17:09:22

hallo, hallo alle schnellzocker weg?
Gut, dann kann man hier mal in Ruhe nachlesen wie lange es dauert so ein Medikament zu entwickeln, auf jeden Fall länger als so ein Teil runterzuprügeln-

gruß c.

Viral Vertigo
Robert Langreth 11.26.07, 12:00 AM ET


A drug for stealth killer hepatitis C has been years in the making. Hopes for a blockbuster are feverish.
If you want to know why drug research remains a slow and frustrating business even in this golden age of molecular biology, look at the troubles Vertex Pharmaceuticals (nasdaq: VRTX - news - people ) has gone through to devise a new drug to combat hepatitis C.

Hep C chronically infects 3.2 million Americans. The liver disease is spread through direct contact with tainted blood. Most people don't know they have it because the disease can lie dormant for decades. It now kills 10,000 each year, but the death toll could soar.

Vertex has a drug in the pipeline called telaprevir that it hopes will be the first in a new, more powerful generation of hep C treatments. Telaprevir is a protease inhibitor that attacks the virus directly and blocks its replication, much the way antiretrovirals revolutionized the treatment of AIDS over a decade ago. Existing hep C treatments, based on bioengineered versions of the natural immune system protein alpha interferon, attack the virus indirectly and work half the time, at best, for the most common strain. The side effects--fever, fatigue and anemia--are so bad that many patients forgo treatment, rolling the dice that their livers won't fail.

Vertex, an 18-year-old firm in Cambridge, Mass., has always been on the cusp of having a big-selling drug, yet has never quite scored with one. A lot of hopes are riding on telaprevir. Midstage trial data revealed this month showed that telaprevir, when combined with existing drugs, cleared the virus in 61% of patients in the U.S. and 65% of patients in Europe; it did this in 24 weeks, versus 48 weeks needed for existing therapies.

The drug is clearly effective, but there were a lot of buts the day the data came out. Wall Street knocked the stock down 9%. The results were at the low end of investor expectations, says Cowen & Co. And a company called Romark Laboratories has come out of nowhere with data on an unheralded anti-parasite drug that seems effective on one hep C strain.

At least two years of trials remain before any of the new drugs hit the market. Sanford C. Bernstein projects annual sales of hep C drugs will surge from $2.5 billion today to $11 billion in 2012. Vertex could snag a chunk of that--if its drug is safe and effective. Four other hep C drugs suffered setbacks this year. Vertex's stock sank 13% on Oct. 18 when Schering-Plough (nyse: SGP - news - people ) touted promising results for its rival protease inhibitor.

Vertex has already surmounted an array of problems since it started working on hep C in 1993. It took two years to get a stable, crystalline form of the hepatitis C protease enzyme for study. Once this was done, "it became clear what a remarkable challenge" designing a protease inhibitor would be, says Vertex executive John Thomson. Most enzymes have grooves that druglike chemicals can snuggle into, blocking their function. The surface of the hepatitis C protease turned out to be flat. Finding a drug that would stick was akin to climbing a sheer cliff with no cracks. The company had to engineer a chemical by mimicking the enzyme's target. It took another three years to figure out a way to grow the virus in a test tube, a requirement for testing an antiviral.

Doctors hope, ultimately, to boost cure rates by combining protease inhibitors with a second drug class called polymerase inhibitors. Roche, one of several firms in the polymerase hunt, just unveiled data showing its drug helped eliminate signs of the virus in the blood in 81% of patients after an initial four weeks of treatment; dosing is continuing to see if the drug can keep the virus away.

One or more of the new compounds are likely to work. "We are going to have much higher response rates in the very near future. It is going to blow the market wide open," predicts Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Douglas Dieterich, who is testing the Roche compound

[clearasil]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 32.395.790 von clearasil am 12.11.07 17:12:45

und hier noch ein interessanter artikel

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/newsanalysis/biotech/1038884…

[Fruehrentner]

Merck, Vertex halt aurora kinase cancer trial

By staff reporter

22/11/2007- Merck & Co. and its partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals have stopped enrolling cancer patients to the clinical trial of its aurora kinase trial after one patient suffered heart problems.

The patient in question developed a QTc prolongation, which can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. Although the two pharma firms will continue to treat chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) patients already in the Phase II trial for MK-0457 (VX-680), no new patients will be recruited.

A Phase I trial of the drug has also been suspended. The news is particularly worrying for Merck and Vertex as MK-0457 is not the only aurora kinase they are developing together. Another of the drugs has recently been discontinued "after the compound [MK-6592/VX-667] did not meet pharmacokinetic objectives in a Phase I clinical study". Despite these setbacks, the pharma giant did say that it still plans to begin clinical development of VX-689 early next year.

Whether the problem is definitely caused by MK-0457 is, as yet unclear, but if the two are linked then the news could spell trouble for the numerous other companies with aurora kinase inhibitors in various stages of clinical development.

MK-0457 is the most advanced drug with this target in clinical development. Miikana Therapeutics and SuperGen both had aurora kinase inhibitors in preclinical development - MCK-1693 and MP529 respectively - while many other companies also had drugs of this class in Phase I trials. These include Astex Therapeutics (AT9283, actually Phase I/II), AstraZeneca (AZD1152), Cyclcel Pharmaceuticals (CYC116), Millennium Pharmaceuticals (MLN8054 and MLN8237), Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (SNS-314) and finally Merck KGaA, in collaboration with Rigel were testing R763 (AS703569) in a Phase I trial as well.

http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/ng.asp?n=81569-merck-co-v…

[clearasil]

hier wie es mit vertex weitergeht:

http://www.thestreet.com/s/vertex-shares-face-long-road-back…-

[Zock1000]

Huch! -10%
Weiß jemand, was los ist?
Ist zwar noch innerhalb Bollinger (Boden) - hätte aber nicht sein müssen.

Gruß
Zock

[Bob333]

Aus Forbes.com:
The company announced on Thursday that it has sold the rights to its royalty payments for its two HIV drugs with GlaxoSmithKline for a one-time payment of $160.0 million.

This will give Vertex the money it needs to complete phase 3 human trials on its hepatitis C drug telaprevir, a major competitor of Schering's upcoming hepatitis C treatment boceprevir. Vertex reported at the annual meeting of the European Association for Study of the Liver on April 23 in Milan that 54 hepatitis C patients who took Vertex's telaprevir in combination with two other treatments showed signs of responsiveness to treatment. Hepatitis C is a liver disease that affects 3.4 million people in the United States; there are currently 250,000 people who are unresponsive to the treatments available.