ILD/IPF Highlights of recent ATS conference
https://products.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ofev/sites/default/files/ats-2017-ild-congress-highlights.pdf
Very interesting piece that has been prepared by Boehringer (slides 38/39). Note reference to 4050 and 4425 near the end of the presentation. Clearly, the results of PLI's recent Phase 2A trials are resonating in scientific circles.
Also note under the section entitled 'New insights into ILD management', the patient drop out rate is around 80%. It seems the number of IPF patients not on current drugs represents a significant % of patients.. This underscores the size of the market for a 4050 monotherapy treatment.
In this context, I can imagine that there is interest amongst Big Pharma to partner with PLI in taking the IPF application of 4050 forward. From Boehringer's standpoint, the complementarity between nintedanib and 4050 in recent trials suggests this combo therapy could give Boehringer a commanding market position. From Roche's standpoint, the fact that such a a large % of IPF patients are going untreated with the current approved drugs on the market suggests it could revitalise its IPF franchise by partnering up with PLI. No doubt if the 4050 nintedanib combo proves successful, Roche's pirfenidone will fall out of favour. Finally, other Big Pharma who would like to get into the IPF space must also be intrigued with 4050 because of the large unmet medical need amongst IPF patients.
What with FDA approval of the IND for the pivotal Phase2/3 trials, recent fast track designation and ample funds at its finger tips due to the recent Thomvest line of credit, PLI is wonderfully positioned to strike partnership deals on 4050/ IPF. Competitive tension is rising. Let's see what management delivers.