Conference Reports
BMO Capital Markets Focus on Healthcare Conference, Millenium Broadway Hotel, 4th - 5th December 2007, New York, USA.
Amid the twinkling Christmas lights of New York City, The Bank of Montreal Focus on Healthcare Conference was held for the 7th year, once again offering an excellent opportunity for biotechnology, healthcare services, medical technology and pharmaceutical professionals alike to showcase scientific breakthroughs, identify opportunities and discuss emerging trends in the industry. This year's five-track format ensured a busy schedule of presentations, sparking the interest of analysts and senior executives alike.
Tuesday saw an abundance of presentations. Arqule presented updated details of its pipeline, beginning with the initiation of a Phase II/III trial as a 2nd line therapy in gastric cancer patients of its lead c-Met inhibitor, ARQ-197. Phase II trials in MiT tumours, pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer are currently underway, and trials in hormone-resistant prostate cancer are planned. The company also presented clinical proof-of-concept results of its E2F-1 pathway compounds ARQ-501, ARQ- 171 and ARQ-761, followed by a preclinical update of its early-stage compounds.
Both leading and emerging companies utilized the opportunity to showcase their latest in pharmaceutical and biotechnology advancements. Vicus Therapeutics presented an update on its lead compound, VT-122, for the treatment of cancer cachexia, informing of licensing opportunities following completion of Phase II trials. Endo Therapeutics also advertised licensing opportunities in the EU for its immediate-release oral formulation of oxymorphone.
Wednesday saw more of the same, with a schedule filled with back-to-back presentations. Leaders in pegylation technology, Nektar, presented a full pipeline update including data on a number of preclinical compounds, including NKTR-125 for allergic rhinitis and NKTR-105 for the treatment of cancer. Clinical details for pegylated-ironitecan (NKTR-102) were also disclosed, along with discussions for partnering its dry powder inhaled insulin formulation, Exubera. Other interesting presentations came from specialist MAb company Macrogenetics, and Cortex Pharmaceuticals, which presented data on its novel Ampakine compound, CX- 701, informing of positive preclinical results and updated timings of clinical trials.
Keynote speeches from healthcare and business leaders, former U.S senate majority leader William Frist M.D, and BMO Global FX Strategist Andrew Busch, ensured that this conference offered excellent insight into both scientific and business aspects of the healthcare industry. With the US Presidential election nearing, healthcare has become one of the most high-profile areas of discussion, with both the Republican and Democratic parties aiming to provide a comprehensive healthcare portfolio. To healthcare analysts and executives in the US, the next 12 months could mean a substantial change; and maybe next year's conference will be highlighting a number of different stories.
Jenna Morris
Pharmaprojects Analyst
