Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Message Board

There are major conflicting forces at work on
these issues. First off, I understand the hard feelings
of going from the inside to the outside, 101, Mole,
et al, so my reactions to your comments is aimed at
the lack of influence these matters have on share
value.
Secondly, does everyone think that WLA is a bunch of
idiots? They have excellent access to management at ONYX
and are certainly aware of the larger issues of any
danger to the clinical trials for ONYX-15. They don't
appear to be too concerned at this point, I am certain
that we will hear should their level of concern be
raised.
My point is simply that Onxy (assuming the success
ofO-15) will probably prosper (and us along with it),
these sorts of personality problems are not unusual,
read some of the other boards (try Health
South).
Let's try to stick to matters that are likely to affect
shareholder value, that is why we are here, isn't it?

As a relatively new ONXX investor, my investment
is based principally upon two facts: (1) the
company's lead product, 015, has shown positive clinical
results in H&N cancer and (2) the company has forged a
major partnership with a global pharma partner (WLA)
which further endorses its potential commercial value.
While by no means a formula for success, this is
exactly what a fledgling biotech company must do to reach
the next level of development. Skeptics and outright
ONXX haters should tip their hats for such efforts.


Nonetheless, if such negative comments are true (and the
credibility of tone suggests they may be), it does not change
the fact that, barring safety issues or poor
efficacy, the continued development of 015 will bring
significant value to ONXX shareholders from present price
levels.

Don't get me wrong - management is a
critical component to this equation. And if true,
I
would suggest that shareholders find comfort knowing
that ONXX has passed the 015 "baton" to WLA at the
beginning of the Phase III lap. But there are recent
examples of how key defections have only temporarily
impacted the valuation of a company. I point specifically
to the resignation of Coulter Pharmaceutiucls'
(NASDAQ:CLTR) Chief Medical Officer, George Tidmarsh, who
resigned in Nov. 99 in the wake of the Bexxar BLA delay.
Quoting from the new report:

"Some analysts said
the timing of Tidmarsh's announcement was odd, given
that the company is rushing to get the Bexxar
application approved before a similar drug from rival
Idec
Pharmaceuticals Corp. Tidmarsh supervised the clinical trials
upon which Coulter based its application. ``It's a bad
sign,'' said Craig Parker, a Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette
biotechnology analyst.

Granted, Tidmarsh didn't leave
the company (transitioned to a business development
role), but the story still crushed the stock price (at
the time $14 per share). Now that the BLA is poised
for resubmission (along with further supportive
data), CLTR shares are trading in the high $20's again.


As for 015 manufacturing issues, let's hope WLA has
done sufficient due diligence to rule out the
possibility of product supply or QA control becoming a
problem.

Nonetheless, it would seem that these
critizisms are overblown. But I must also admit that I truly
enjoyed the sarcastic humor of 101.

Q:
Onyxnewbie, you suggested calling the company and "just ask"
to confirm such possible departures. Based on this
suggestion, I assume that you have already called the
company. Who did you speak to? I don't know any other
company that would divulge such confidential information.


As for a press release stating when the phase III
trial would start, I quote from the recent press
release on the ONXX-WLA agreement:

"Onyx and
Warner-Lambert are preparing to initiate a pivotal Phase III
clinical trial of ONYX-015 in the fourth quarter of 1999
or early in 2000 that combines the virus with
chemotherapy as a treatment for patients with recurrent head
and neck cancer."

I have to correct one thing from my post yesterday: Amy Waterhouse is leaving, but not Marilyn Wortzman.

I apologize for the mistake.

Let me pose this question: Why are there several
inviduals posting to this board who use the name onyx in
their name? Do these same people post elsewhere with
the "onyx" monniker? If so, it would seem silly. It
suggests to me that they have selected to post under these
pseudonyms on this board for a reason, and I for one, will
question their integrity. Make your own decisions about
Onyx as an investment or trading play. -AC (or
AOnyxPhobiaCat as far as this board is concerned)