It is at a relatively low price relative to its listing back in 2004, yet arguably now in a much stronger position, products better developed outlicensing potential there some interesting research activities, and up by about 50% from historic low back about 6 months ago.... trend seems in the right direction, sector in favour, lots of big pharmas on the acquisition trail, early stage products being bought for big bucks... just seems a good one to tuck a few away on... I would welcome your view on it having looked at the info below.
kmjs has recently posted that "Brian O'Connor has got my second guess for
a biggy in '07 as his main share pick, Ark Therapeutics"
from AKT web site:
Ark is distinguished by:
a broad range of late stage products and a strong technology base – we are progressing a range of opportunities and hence we are not reliant on the success of any one particular product or technology;
clinical development products addressing clear, unmet needs – our products typically address specialist areas of medicine where effective new products are in demand and rapid market acceptance is expected;
retention of ownership and maximum value within the group – our strategy is to develop and market our key lead products, out-licensing those which fall outside the core areas;
regulatory strategy – we target indications where Orphan Drug Status or Fast Track Designation is likely, giving financial and regulatory benefits to assist in getting products to market as rapidly and cost effectively as possible;
an experienced management team – Ark’s management team has a proven financial and commercially focused track record with extensive international experience of developing and marketing pharmaceuticals across many therapeutic areas;
broad follow-on preclinical portfolio – Ark's founding scientists have acknowledged world-renowned expertise in vascular biology and molecular medicine. Ark's own scientists and research agreements with the University of Kuopio, Finland and University College, London, give the Group access to future discoveries from which Ark may select its future lead development candidates.
Products in Development
Cerepro™ (EG009) - a treatment for malignant brain tumours – Phase IIb completed
Vitor™ (EG006) - a treatment for cancer related muscle wasting (cachexia) in Phase III
Trinam® (EG004) - a product to prevent blood vessels blocking after vascular graft surgery, in Phase II
EG005 - a treatment for the fat metabolism problem (lipodystrophy syndrome) associated with the most common therapy for HIV positive patients, in Phase II
EG001 - a bio-degradable device placed around the outside of blood vessels for the localised delivery of therapeutic agents, currently in development as part of the Trinam® project
Ark capitalises on over ten years of research from its founding scientists, Professor John Martin and Mr Stephen Barker of University College London and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala of the AI Virtanen Institute at the University of Kuopio, Finland. Their acknowledged world-renowned clinical and research expertise concentrates in three principal areas;
A gene vector and expression programme - an established team focused on molecular medicine technology to safely deliver DNA to disease sites within the body see BacV™ – vectors and functional genomics;
Vascular biology and growth factor research programme - an integrated international group of clinicians and scientists focused on understanding diseases of the circulatory system at the molecular level and discovering new treatments;
Scavidin™ - a sophisticated drug targeting platform which can localise and concentrate systemically administered drugs to a desired therapeutic site.
