Member Info for TorquayFan

"Oxford Immunotec Global PLC (OXFD +0.8%) announces results from a prospective study in the U.K. that demonstrated the ability of its T-SPOT Discovery SARS-CoV-2 test to detect PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infections that were negative via blood (serology) tests for antibodies. "T-SPOT, for research use only, detects the levels of T cells, immune cells that attack infected cells instead of the virus directly like antibodies. T cell responses are a key component of immunity and may be sufficient to provide longer term protection from COVID-19 since antibody levels appear to drop fairly quickly after infection."

Now where have I heard that before . . . . . more here :-
https://seekingalpha.com/news/3634395-oxford-t-spot-test-shows-key-role-of-t-cells-in-covidminus-19-immunity?

Ruck re "D' - no you may not, 'dare' LOL Of course you have fears but for myself, if my fears exceeded my hopes, I wouldn't be here. Neither I suspect, would you. I hope you and yours are well.

Curiously Balerno, I found the presentation well organised and well delivered and after all, it's a few days into another UK lockdown and we could have hardly expected a jamboree. Respectfully, to describe what was detailed to us as a 'shotgun' approach can't be right - I guess each avenue of Scancell's science is more precise than a sniper's aim. Possible enhancement of Immunobody with AvidiMab is very exciting. Is SCIB2 back in the fold now ? It seemed that way but I need to listen again. Getting Modi1 into trial 2021 will be a challenge even with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in UK harness - but it's to look forward to.

I think it was Prof. Lindy who alluded to the Lab's operating difficulties in CV-19 times and with that in mind, I'm glad that Redmile's intervention has made it all but certain that Scancell will get through the CV-19 pandemic in decent shape for cash, even if the environment for trial recruitment remains difficult. Plenty of encouragement in a balanced presentation IMHO.

Knowlesi re. this "Well done Pfizer & BioNtech - great news." Agreed, but CV-19 is not conquered yet - apart from uncertainty about the longevity of protection there's this as noted in the DT today :-

" . . . there are reasons to remain cautious. As Professor Stephen Evans, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, pointed out, the decision to release results while also continuing trial recruitment is unprecedented and could undermine the future of the trial. It may be ethically tricky to carry on giving a placebo to participants while knowing that a vaccine is successful. There are also huge logistical challenges, because the vaccine has to be kept and transported in ultra-cold storage at below -109F (-78C). Most health centres in Britain simply do not have the facilities to do that. So even if it is successful, there are serious concerns about whether it can realistically be distributed. And there are fears that, even if a vaccine is available, many people will refuse it because they feel it has been rushed out in just a few months. The Royal Society is so concerned about uptake that it is calling for anti-vaxxers to be prosecuted if they spread misinformation about the dangers." (Behind the paywall but here - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/09/covid-vaccine-breakthrough-reasons-caution/ )

Pfizer / BioNTech's news overshadows Covidity's current progress of course, but Covidity might be the 'second generation' triumph. We'll see.

. . . Pharma's are always ready to lay out the big bucks for a little of what they fancy! Merck acquire VelosBio for $2.75 billion - paid in cash. Nice.

". . . . cancer is a highly competitive field and like rivals such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche, Merck & Co is always looking for relatively small acquisitions that could bring in new technology and raise the bar in terms of safety and efficacy."

That's 'relatively small' LOL

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/merck-co-buys-cancer-biotech-velosbio-for-2-75bn/?

"Novartis’ Ilaris (canakinumab) has failed to produce results in a phase 3 trial, which tested whether it could improve COVID-19 patients’ survival chances without need for mechanical ventilation. The company is trying to repurpose the drug used in rare inflammatory diseases such as juvenile arthritis for COVID-19, to see if it could relieve the extreme immune reaction that can prove fatal after infection with coronavirus.

But results from the CAN-COVID trial showed that Ilaris also missed an important secondary goal of reduced COVID-19 mortality compared with standard therapy. In the trial involving 454 patients in the US, Russia and Europe, the primary endpoint of survival without the need for mechanical ventilation was 88.8% for canakinumab plus standard care compared with 85.7% for placebo plus standard care.

The key secondary endpoint was to reduce the COVID-19-related death rate during the four week period after trial treatment. While the data trended in Ilaris’ favour against both targets, the effect seen was not marked enough to be statistically significant."

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/novartis-ilaris-fails-in-late-stage-covid-19-trial/?

WTP - top sleuth. This virus is a tricky bigger - I wonder how we'll cope if it starts appearing in pet dogs and cats ? The mind boggles.

BTW - according to 'The World Tonight' just now - when USA elections first started, the losing candidate ended up as Vice President. MMmmmmm . . .

Konar - I thought this sewed it up before ?

'EmptyEnd' posts ADVFN 33545 29/10 -" "Here's the confirmation that Vulpes were voting against, buried in the Notice of the GM: "The Board recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Resolutions as those Directors who are supportive of the Capital Raise in its entirety intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings of Ordinary Shares" " - a clear implication that a Director represents a dissenting beneficial holding and that must be Vulpes.

""""as those Directors who are supportive of the Capital Raise""""

LLass - my reply to yours over there because . .

John Lawless - no. At least not yet.

Why do you ask ?

Thanks for that WTP - well spotted as you do !

Well we've all got to wish 'NXC'all the best with this one. I was rather sorry to lose DE as Chair some years ago but at least this means, hopefully, his health is holding up. Can't keep a good man down !

Compound - Trump v Biden definitely . . .

Just MO but I'll be surprised if Redmile don't get this over the line this time !

Chester - excellent postulation if I may say so. Quite credible. One thing's for sure - Scancell matters are moving along at pace now and who knows what might occur, re. Covidity ? Maybe we won't get fullest value BUT hopefully, still good value.

Just MO but it may all happen quicker than we think . . . . .

Thanks Ivy for the DM link and Scancell's retweet of the item - wow ! There's not been much discussion yet of what this might mean. Good news for T-cell candidate vaccines no doubt. Covidity !

Llass, I hope you saw WTP's posting of the Guardian link 16.29 to that report, (no paywall), and I guess that answered your query ? - (take care with that seaweed!) Here it is again - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/02/t-cell-covid-immunity-present-in-adults-six-months-after-first-infection

The DT can scramble your head but just now - over to the Team and Goodnight !

"Coronavirus patients have cellular immunity for at least six months after infection even when antibodies are undetectable, new research shows, boosting hopes of long term protection from the virus. In a world’s first study described as ‘reassuring’ by experts, scientists from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Birmingham, found that memory T-cells were present in everyone they tested. The study comes just a week after research from Imperial College suggested that immune cells may wane after just a few months. But researchers found that the immune cells persisted even when antibodies had fallen to such low levels that they could no longer be detected.

It suggests that more people may have had the virus than previously thought, but have lost their antibody response, so would not show up in surveillance testing. It also gives greater hope that vaccines will generate long-term immunity. "

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/02/coronavirus-t-cell-immunity-lasts-least-six-months-even-antibodies/

The HM quip - Ha Ha ! Enough of you - filtered and GR. Take care . . .

You are grumpy - it's true. Get over that grumpy chest soon.
This is poor - "Knowlesi, well!! You have no opinions, just prefer to mock others, lol/"
Sleep well and stay safe.

More than a few weeks ago C7, that was January and it was my Sister's hubby. I posted it elsewhere. Sis is 76 and about to donate her 77th pint of O and a general trooper.

Fair enough review Ruck. I agree with much of it. C7 was foremost here in repeatedly singing the virtues of Vulpes all along and why not ? I'm glad Vulpes came in - but the game has moved on - we'll see if there are any bruises and it may not be long. ATB

Well I would 'go so far' M8 because the purity and magnificence of Prof. Lindy's science outshines these grotty money matters with a blinding virtue that can be seen by all, IMHO. However, it would be nice to have the money anyway LOL. Time for a quiet beer on the terrace as the aged Missis returns from her yoga class any minute now . . .

3rd time of writing due to the LSE black hole !

C7 I saw your 07.07 but just to clarify, I never stopped posting on LSE but I did have a filter on for a long time. Whatever, you have a nice day and stay tucked up safely.