Disappointment

[OnwardMike at aol.com]

This is a follow-up to a thread here some time back about projected new 
amputation-sparing drugs for diabetics.

Michael B.

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Genentech Drops Nerve Drug for Diabetics After Tests Fail

 By DAVID J. MORROW

  Genentech Inc., one of the world's largest biotechnology companies, 
said Friday that Neuleze, its highly anticipated drug to promote nerve 
growth in diabetes patients, would not be sold in the United States 
because late-stage clinical trials had failed to prove the compound 
worked. 

  Analysts said the setback was a significant blow to Genentech and 
its majority shareholder, Roche Holding AG of Switzerland. Since 
Genentech and Roche would have been the first companies to market 
a drug like Neuleze, peak worldwide sales could have reached $600 
million, the analysts said. <snip> 

The demise of Neuleze may alter the pharmaceutical market. Several 
other companies -- notably Pfizer and Warner-Lambert -- are 
developing similar compounds that now have their chances to be the 
first to arrive on the market. Analysts noted that the first new 
treatment for an illness typically outsells competitors' later entries. 

  In a statement Friday, Genentech executives said that they would 
continue human growth factor research similar to Neuleze
. <snip>

Saturday, April 10, 1999
Copyright 1999 The New York Times >>