A few days ago my trading partner Ilene suggested that we add Discovery Laboratories (DSCO) to the Avian Flu Basket.
Ilene's analysis was based on her reasoning that DSCO might be serendipidously involved in the development of a drug, Surfaxin, that could be used in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome("ARDS"), a condition, often fatal, that may be caused by bird flu. If it is found that Surfaxin is effective in ARDS, then it should similarly be useful to treat avian flu. DSCO is currently engaged in a clinical trial using Surfaxin for ARDS (caused by other insults to the lung besides avian flu infection).
We posted our thoughts on Silicon Investor and on the Yahoo message board for DSCO, looking for some feedback from others who follow the company. Our efforts have paid off, as based on what we have uncovered in the past few days, we are adding DSCO to our Avian Flu Basket.
Here is a link to Ilene's original post on Yahoo and a series of outstanding responses from some very informed individuals, the final three of which simply hit the ball out of the park on this one:
DSCO & Bird Flu
This brings to ten the number of stocks on our Avian Flu Basket.
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2 comments:
Hi, Allan,
I tried to post this on your blog, but couldn't. Can you post it for me? Thanks, Ilene
I was searching for information on surfactant and influenza, and found that Surfactant D, in particular, has anti-influenze A properties. So far, I have not found anything specific on Surfactant B, though some on Surfactant A. If that is correct, then Surfactant (D, mostly or apparently) would have additional, specific anti-flu effects.
For example:
Annu Rev Physiol. 2001;63:521-54. Related Articles, Links
Surfactant proteins a and d and pulmonary host defense.
Crouch E, Wright JR.
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. crouch@path.wustl.edu
The lung collectins, SP-A and SP-D, are important components of the innate immune response to microbial challenge and participate in other aspects of immune and inflammatory regulation within the lung. Both proteins bind to surface structures expressed by a wide variety of microorganisms and have the capacity to modula! te multiple leukocyte functions, including the enhanced internalization and killing of certain microorganisms in vitro. In addition, transgenic mice with deficiencies in SP-A and SP-D show defective or altered responses to challenge with bacterial, fungal, and viral microorganisms and to bacterial lipopolysaccharides in vivo. Thus collectins could play particularly important roles in settings of inadequate or impaired specific immunity, and acquired alterations in the levels of active collectins within the airspaces and distal airways may increase susceptibility to infection.
http://www.forbes.com/investmentnewsletters/2005/11/11/avian-gilead-biocryst-in_kr_1111soapbox_inl.html?partner=yahootix
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