Antisoma (LSE: ASM.L - news) shares could double if the ovarian cancer drug, R1549, is successful, and halve if it is not says the Independent. Given the probability of success, reckoned to be about 65%, that looks a gamble worth taking says the paper.

Some decent buying going on again here, with many trials in clinical phase and a good constant news stream this could be really interesting in 2005. Pharmas are eager for new products and ASM is one of a few bios with very interesting opportunities within their portfolio right now, second only to MMG IMO but at lower price. Worth watching but like all of these share types, chance to make good profits but not without risk. From <25p, its worth it to me as a potential 2-4 bagger this year if results from trials are successful.

Topped up this morning for 23.7, good company outlook and a number of buy recommendations whilst the price has gone sideways. Also sp at the bottom of the TA trend line and looks ready for an upward movement. Now sitting on even money as I held some before the R1549 drug was pulled, always considered the sp had fallen too much. Expect to see steady rise - let's see if patience pays off.

Well something appears to be brewing again, yesterday the sp dropped >5% temporarily but was followed by some decent buying and ended the day up followed by a good rise again today. Good news around the corner?

Good news today AND anything at 23.4p and above are actually BUYS showing as sells!!

andy
Are you still on these I think they are going to come good this year.

Still not on board but I have a good feeling about ASM.

LONDON (AFX) - British cancer drug developer Antisoma PLC has beefed up its management team with the appointment of Dr Gary Acton as chief medical officer.

Acton was most recently running an oncology orientated consultancy service, advising drugmakers on the progression and optimisation of their products.

Antisoma is heading into a crucial period with key data from its two most promising products due in the next few months. If all goes well, the company could have both compounds in final stage, phase III trials this year.

Dr Acton has also been managing director of Cell Therapeutics, where he oversaw the approval of cancer drug Trisenox, and spent five years as vice president of clinical development at British peer Vernalis PLC.

Antisoma shares closed at 21.25 pence Friday.

The Times June 05, 2006


Smaller stock to watch


Shares in Antisoma, the biotech firm, will be in the spotlight today after mixed news from the cancer specialist on an experimental lung cancer drug.
The company told the American Society of Clinical Oncologys annual meeting in Georgia yesterday that Phase-II trials had shown that the drug, known as AS1404, could delay disease progression, improve patient survival rates and improve the response rate of tumours when used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy.



However, Antisoma admitted that it would be entering Phase-III trials of the drug alone, after its partner Roche, the Swiss drug maker, decided not to proceed with AS1404s development. Glyn Edwards, Antisomas chief executive, played down the news, saying that he was delighted to have regained full rights to the drug and will endeavour to maximise shareholder value by advancing AS1404 ourselves while also considering the merits of any offers from new potential partners.

AS1404 is a small-molecule vascular disrupting agent. It is the first member of this class of drugs to report positive efficacy data from a controlled study.

According to the World Health Organisation, there are more than 1.2 million cases worldwide of lung and bronchial cancer each year, causing approximately 1.1 million deaths.

Bought back into these the other day after being out for a couple of years looking good for 2007
Was tipped in today's Telegraph see below.

Antisoma
Stock: 25.25p -1p
Questor says Buy

Given that it was founded in 1988, it is not obvious to the outsider that Antisoma is one of the UK's longest established biotechnology companies.

To the external eye, given that the company has no drugs in late-stage phase 3 trials and it has just enough cash in the bank to last for another year or so, its place in the biotech firmament might appear even more surprising.

Earlier this year, Antisoma's shares slumped after Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche handed back its earlier purchase rights to Antisoma's leading drug for lung cancer, known as AS1404, and another drug for breast cancer.

The stock market quickly took fright, prompting fears Antisoma would have to tap investors for more cash to continue with development.

But that was then, and this is most certainly now, and Antisoma is looking a lot less sickly. Its shares have picked up strongly in the past few months as investors have realised the data so far on AS1404 and its other drugs is promising.

Glyn Edwards, Antisoma's chief executive, has said he is talking to other companies about striking a partnering agreement to fund expensive phase 3 trials for AS1404.

Biotech chief executives often say such things, but Mr Edwards is well regarded in his industry and his indication that he is not doing the ground work for a new fund raising has been taken to mean he really is close to an important agreement to replace Roche.

Would-be investors must remember Antisoma is operating in the field of cancer, where there is huge demand for new drugs. If it cracks the market for lung cancer alone, Antisoma's future will certainly look a lot healthier than it does today.

Indeed analysts believe AS1404 could bring in sales of more than $1bn (537m), making it officially a "blockbuster" in modern pharmaceutical parlance.

Roche's withdrawal from its deal with Antisoma heaps all the risk on the British company striking a new deal, but this could be on better terms than the one it would have had with Roche in any case. A slow burner.

17 October 2006, London, UK - Cancer drug developer Antisoma plc
(LSE: ASM; USOTC: ATSMY) today announces that Chief Executive
Officer, Glyn Edwards, will be presenting at the BIO InvestorForum
2006 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, USA.

Mr Edwards's presentation is scheduled for 2pm PDT on Wednesday,
October 18. A webcast of the presentation will be available to all on
Antisoma's website at
http://www.antisoma.com/home.asp

Lifted from the other big board............

Antisoma write up in Investors Chronicle October 20th 2006

Antisoma is trying to get back on track after the shock decision by Roche to end its partnership. The world's leading cancer drug provider dropped breast cancer drug AS1402 (previously known as R1550) and decided not to option AS1404 for lung cancer in June. Chief executive Glyn Edwards believes Roche's decision regarding AS1404 was largely about preferring to back its own drug, Avastin. He is highly confident of delivering a licensing deal on AS1404 before the company's cash runs out next year, and reports plenty of licensing interest.

Analysts say the phase II data from trials of AS1404 in lung cancer suggests it could be more effective than Avastin in extending survival. Data released this week from studies in ovarian cancer is also positive. Nomura Code expects a loss per share of 4.05p for 2007 (loss of 4.55p in 2006).

IC View - The shares have recovered on licensing hopes. But, with cash running low and without a partner on board, they are also risky. That said, a deal could come soon and Antisoma could be an acquisition target. So, for those with the stomach for it, the shares look speculative good value. ENDS.

Ill be buying these in the morning. Looks like a win, win situation.

Annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 June 2006

http://www.antisoma.com/investor_relations/documents/AntisomaARA2006FINAL.pdf

goldfinger
Welcome aboard if you bought.

Antisoma to present at Rodman and Renshaw Healt...

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/20061102130000H5817.html

UP 6% this is motoring since I bought back in. (31% since 17 Oct 2006 )

Driver, looks interesting :)

smiler
This share always has been interesting I held these years ago if they get a good deal any thing is possible with the sp.

JUST looking at the chart, Wish I got in August 14p !!

LONDON (AFX) - Cancer drug developer Antisoma PLC revealed further positive data from a phase II trial of its experimental tumour-fighting drug AS1404 in non-small cell lung cancer.

The company said in a final assessment of the data, patients who received AS1404, in addition to standard chemotherapy, were found to display a greater delay in tumour progression than previously reported.

Tumour response rates of 31 pct, compared to 22 pct for those who received chemotherapy alone, are unchanged from data revealed in June.

The data are being presented today at a meeting in Prague.

Antisoma announced last year that patients receiving AS1404 in addition to standard chemotherapy survived 5.2 months longer than those receiving chemotherapy alone, while the risk of death was reduced by 27 pct.

The company claims the result is one of the largest differences in survival ever reported from a trial combining a novel agent with first-line chemotherapy for lung cancer.

At 8.05 am shares in Antisoma were trading 1.25 pence higher at 33.5, valuing the company at 124 mln stg. The stock has more than doubled in the last three months.

Investors are waiting to hear the outcome of on-going licensing talks Antisoma is holding with potential partners for the drug, which are needed to help fund the remaining large late-stage trials.

A phase III trial is due to start next year in lung cancer. The company plans to develop the treatment as a direct competitor to Avastin, Roche AG and Genentech Inc's top-selling cancer drug, which received approval to be marketed as a treatment for lung cancer last month.

Like Avastin, AS1404 has also showed promise as a treatment for other cancers such as ovarian and prostate.

amy.brown@afxnews.com

AGM is today 17th November, 10:00 AM at Cameron McKenna, Aldersgate, should get some sort of statement or announcement.