Stockwatch: Orphans are better, if they work
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
InterMune’s therapeutic area for many years has been lung diseases and more specifically idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company's treatment for IPF, pirfenidone, is the only approved drug, and yet it is not available everywhere. The US FDA, for instance, issued a complete response letter in May. Furthermore, InterMune's original intention of partnering its drug has not been realised. What lies behind such regulatory and commercial reticence?