Interested in doing a bit of “light reading” this weekend?  Then don’t access the following three links I have been saving since November!

Here is a link to an excellent Myeloma Beacon review/summary which compares different experimental proteasome inhibitors Marizomib (NPI-0052) and MLN9708 with Velcade and carfilzomib:

I wanted to share some excerpts from a sort of “year in review” interview with Dr. Deborah Dunsire, CEO of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, makers of Velcade.  I found this article on a site called Mass High Tech.com earlier this month:

I’m getting to this story a few days late, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Business news does directly affect multiple myeloma patients. This sale provides Onyx Pharmaceuticals, makers of the new proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib, a much needed cash infusion to continue research and fund more clinical studies:

Velcade is currently the only FDA approved proteasome inhibitor. Here is an encouraging research study using a new oral proteasome inhibitor ONX 0912, which was submitted to the internationally recocognized medical journal, Blood, April 2, 2010; accepted August 8, 2010. Here is a copy of the study abstract:

The Journal of New England Technology ran this article Friday:

I started an article about carfilzomib last Tuesday this way:  The Truth About The New Multiple Myeloma Novel Therapy Drug, Carfilzomib:
“Is Onyx Pharmaceuticals’ new, next generation proteasome inhibitor a new miracle drug—or just another “bit player” on the multiple myeloma scene? It depends who you ask.”

Yesterday I explained why my interview with Dr. Kauffman was so informal. Using a relaxed, conversational style allows me to get a feel for the moment. More than that, I can try to get a sense of how my subject really feels. Are the guarded? Or they hiding something? Are he or she genuinely enthusiastic and knowledgeable, or are they simply regurgitating pre-rehersed talking points?

As promised, here is Part One of my three part series about last Friday’s interview with Dr. Michael Kauffman, Chief Medical Officer/for Onyx Pharmaceuticals, maker of the new proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib.

Is Onyx Pharmaceuticals’ new, next generation proteasome inhibitor a new miracle drug—or just another “bit player” on the multiple myeloma scene? It depends who you ask.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals’ Carfilzomib Highlights First Day Of ASCO Meetings In Chicago

Sunday, I ran a story about Millennium Pharmaceutical’s upcoming research presentations at ASCO. At the end of the article, I commented about the lack of attention being paid to Millennium’s development of an “oral Velcade,” a new drug, MLN9708.

I learned yesterday VELCADE is being highlighted in five presentations at the newly established, exclusive Trials in Progress session. This session will highlight a number of different abstracts.

Here are parts of a press release Onyx, makers of the new drug, carfilzomib, released last night at 6:00 PM:

Carfilzomib. Can you hear/feel the “buzz?” The halls and Internet are filled with exciting news about this new proteasome inhibitor. Carefully planned by a new, large corporate owner, Onyx, the new drug is definitely the darling of this year’s ASH. It all starts with a well-placed, impressive booth here at the conference. Literature everywhere. Press releases. A grand reception/galla last evening–the beer was cold and the food was great! (I only had one–really!) This morning at 7 am, clinical trials were read and press releases flooded the wires. Why 7 am? To dominate the Monday am newscycle, of course! I could link you to a number of different Carfilzomib press releases. I will do that eventually, of course. But a prudent reporter and patient needs to let the food, beer, and dust settle a bit in order to clearly assess the real world potential and application of this new drug. Onyx claims the drug will help myeloma patients with relapsed and/or refractory myeloma. But the company also says it is fabulous for newly diagnosed patients as well! Yesterday I was a bit down as I began to realize just how long it may take some of these new myeloma wonder drugs like Carfilzomib and Vorinostat to become FDA approved. Lots of sizzle, but things could still be delayed–or go wrong–in the approval process. But after talking with Associate Director of Corporate Communications, Lori Murray, last evening, she stressed Carfilzomib may be available for use by patients with refractory (disease that is resistant to other therapies) multiple myeloma as early as 2011.

Millennium was started 16 years ago and began working on PS-341 (Velcade) about 6 years later. Velcade was approved by the FDA in 2003. The first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, Velcade still holds the record for fastest FDA approval for any cancer related drug. Millennium was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company from Japan last year and was formally renamed Millennium, The Takeda Oncology Company, last year as well. There are advantages and disadvantages with using Velcade. Advantages include it is still one of the most effective anti-myeloma medications. It works well in combination with other anti-myeloma drugs as well. Since it is an IV drug, it is covered by basic Medicaie Part B and approved for use by all major medical insurance companies. The disadvantage of using Velcade is, conversely, it is an IV drug (ouch!) and can cause varying degrees of paripheral neuropathy in many patients. To help overcome these two obstacles, Millennium is currently testing an oral Velcade substitute, along with several other proteasome inhibitors which should have fewer side-effects and also be more effective.

These days it only takes one successful Stage II clinical trial to trigger a takeover bid by a larger pharmaceutical company. Remember two days ago when I wrote about carfilzomib? I didn’t include any drug company info with my post. well, carfilzomib is being developed by a small drug company named Proteoliz, Inc. Today I learned that a larger oncology drug company, Onyx, is trying to acquire Proteoliz, Inc. That didn’t take long! Here is an excerpt from a business related press release about the potential take-over:

Did you all see this?