In one sense, this is old news: Back on 13 Nov 2017 Imugene held an "Expert Briefing" in Sydney, to which Shareholders were invited. I couldn't get there myself. I thought maybe one or two of the regulars here did, and maybe they made some comments here - though I can't find those comments now.
However, browsing through the web this morning I came across the complete video recording of the event. I have had a look back through the archives on HC, but so far as I can see - this clip has not been posted or discussed here. I can't find it on the Imugene website either. If I am wrong - please correct me! I don't mean to duplicate previous postings and waste anyone's time. I certainly haven't seen this before myself.
So - I have posted the link below. Warning - this will take 75 minutes of your precious time! And yes - it is "old news." An enormous amount has happened since the expert briefing, even though 17 months is not such a long time.
On the other hand, that in itself gave me quite a sharp reminder of just how much potential value is packed into Imugene. The "Expert Briefing" is an excellent 3 person presentation by three incredibly credentialed and knowledgeable people who hold key roles in Imugene - Dr Axel Hoos; Prof Ursula Wiedermann and Prof Christopher Zielinski. Each of them make very interesting and informative presentations. If you want a brief history of Immune-Oncology, and a really good briefing on what Her-Vaxx B cell Immunotherapy is, and why it is important, and the exciting possibilities of combination with a PD1 Checkpoint inhibitor - you need to watch this entire clip.
It's also very interesting to watch the Q & A session at the end. The science is impressive, but Axel's and Chistopher's responses from around 50:00 - 57:30 will give you a very good idea of why this is both commercially highly viable AND ethical. Commercially viable AND a much cheaper approach than current MAB therapies. Hoos and Zielinski are very clear in saying that existing MAB therapies are over-priced and unsustainable. Imugene's B-Cell approach will be far cheaper and therefore far more sustainable. If it works though, it will still be "highly profitable." as Axel says. And as head of Immuno-Oncology for GSK he is in a very very good position to know.
Note also the fact that Her-Vaxx is just the first cab off the rank, and the Mimotope technology will allow Imugene to produce other candidates targeting other known and proven effective targets. This is not playing darts blindfolded. Her-Vaxx was specifically designed to hit a target known to be effective in suppressing HER+ tumours. And the same technology can design Peptides to hit other known targets.
Looking at this in retrospect, Imugene looks far more valuable than the SP would indicate. Axel Hoos clearly thought so on 13 Nov 17 - check out his comments on the video from 59:45 - but so much has changed since then, and in such a short time, and in my view it has all been very good.
If it looked exciting on 13 November 17, consider what has happened since:
11 Feb 18: Imugene announces it's next Mimotope product - a novel PD1 checkpoint inhibitor
7 June: they raise $20m and licence the entire B-Cell Immunotherapy research of Prof Kaumaya at Ohio State Uni. That includes a new PD1 now known as Key-Vaxx
21 Sept: Key-Vaxx goes into production ready for a Phase 1 trial
17 Dec 18: Her-Vaxx Phase 1b results - zero toxicity or side effects, dosage data for Phase 2, and very encouraging data on effectiveness
14 March 19: Her-Vaxx Phase 2 patient dosage commences.
And that's without considering the Arginine Modulator research - which also shows promise in combination with Immunotherapy. It's also without considering the impressive additions to the IMU SAB.
So - for a look back through the Retospectoscope - spend an hour and a quarter of your life on this. If you hold IMU already, or if you are considering buying in, you won't find the time wasted. Is it a safe bet? Noooo!!!! Of course not!!! Please don't accuse me of ramping here. Is it safer than the SP would indicate? Yes I strongly think so, based on the data at hand - but yes that's just my opinion.
Okay - you read all this crap on your weekend - so here at last is the link:
Is it safer than the SP would indicate? Yes I strongly think so, based on the data at hand - but yes that's just my opinion.
(20min delay)
