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Research Outline

Prepared for Kristin M. | Delivered November 6, 2019

Third-Party Analysis of ALKS 4230

Goals

To show if there are any hurdles that need to be overcome for a business pitch, information on what investors and analysts are saying about IL-2s and specifically ALKS n4230 is needed.

Early Findings

The strategy is based on the assumption that "ALKS 4230 is an immunotherapy" that is "being developed by Alkermes as a potential treatment for different types of cancer." Also, that IL-2 is interleukin-2, "a cell signaling molecule or cytokine, which plays a key role in the immune response by controlling the life cycle of specialized immune cells called T-cells."

Article Zacks

  • Zacks provides general information on ALKS 4230.
  • The article explains the use and the stages of ALKS 4230. It informs when the first efficacy data can be expected "The first efficacy data from across the ALKS 4230 development program are expected to be presented at a medical meeting later in 2019, pending conference acceptance."
  • It also informs investors of the company's performance: "Shares of the company have declined 23.2% year to date against the industry’s growth of 2.3%."
  • The article ends on a positive note with the statement: "The company’s progress with pipeline candidates targeting major CNS disorders, such as schizophrenia, addiction, depression and multiple sclerosis, has been impressive."

Jefferies' Analyst Biren Amin

  • In an article on Fierce Biotech, Jeffries' analyst Biren Amin was quoted saying "The next data event for the co[mpany] is 4230 data at SITC, however, we don't expect this to be stock catalyst."
  • On Talk Market, further insight into Biren Amin's comments is given: "Following a "deep dive" on immuno-oncology candidate ALKS-4230, Amin told investors that he believes preclinical data suggest the drug may be weaker on efficacy than Nektar Therapeutics' interleukin-2 receptor NKTR-214. ALKS-4230 is "inherently different" from NKTR-214 based on cross-comparison of preclinical data, he contended, while pointing out that Nektar signed a blockbuster deal with Bristol-Myers (BMY) where it received a $1.8B upfront for a third of the economics on NKTR-214."
  • Amin further said: "From the preclinical data published, Amin believes ALKS-4230 appears less effective in CD8+ T cell expansion compared to NKTR-214 in mouse model, and when evaluating CD8/Treg ratio, ALKS-4230 has a lower ratio compared to NKTR-214."
  • Furthermore, this analyst doubts the safety profile of ALKS 4230, saying "there have been many attempts to improve the safety profile of IL-2 but the science on improving safety is somewhat conflicting and it is unclear if Alkermes attempt will result in a better safety profile."

Summary of Findings

  • During the first hour of research articles on ALKS-4230 were sought.
  • Most of the articles found were press releases from the company itself on the drug and the stage in the clinical trials it is in. Others sources provided informative articles on the drug. There was one particular analyst (Biren Amin) who was critical of ALKS-4230 and his comments were provided above.
  • Most other third-party articles discuss Biren Amin's assessment or are anticipating the results to be presented in the medical meeting.