Strategic Moves10 Apr 2022 20:26
Interested in other thoughts on this?
We know that Keytruda is worth 17.2bn value per Year to Merck. Meanwhile we know that the data readout on 0518 was brilliant and could well become a major supporting drug to Keytruda.
Meanwhile, I believe that shortly the FDA will agree terms for Blautix going into phase 3 and again the data has been brilliant. Commercial market for Blautix is 3.3bn per year.
Putting all the other drug lines to one side, If I was say AZN or any other major Biotech, I would simply low-ball bid this now and take the entire business out at say 20-30% above the £1.10 placing rate. Say 300m offer and merge into own R&D Division. You are taking a petty cash transaction to these players.
Sure, many will say yes, counter bid etc etc and you are probably right but think about it. If I controlled this a) I would have the market for potentially a new class of drugs, 1,000 patents that’s practically every class b) I would make potentially a small fortune with Blautix alone as that one drug I believe is potentially worth multiples of any offer on its own and c) I could charge Merck an eye watering amount to license 0518 back to them as I would now own it.
So, with the above in mind, strategically it must be time to strike?? OR if I was Merck now after the 0518 data readout the very least, I would want is some kind of agreement with 4D that the product class would belong to me? Otherwise, I risk it falling into someone else’s hands??
The biotech sector this last year has suffered from delays due to covid and lack of Investment hence all the shorting. 4D have capital into Q4 and I genuinely don’t see any reason why Oxford Finance won’t agree the further 15.5m in draw downs taking them into 2023 I believe they will confirm this position in the next few days with the financial report. They could also raise up to another 150m on the Nasdaq if they wanted but they are in no hurry which is great for negotiations. But can big pharma ignore this opportunity??
Seriously, especially Merck who have a 17.2bn revenue asset per year in Keytruda strategically they would be mad not to acquire 4D if only as an insurance policy to protect their key product.
Its interesting for sure?