Biotech Bets: Maybe, Just Maybe

Okay, look. People are talking about “soaring” stocks. Soaring! As if the market is some kind of majestic eagle. It’s not. It’s a bunch of algorithms and panicked decisions, mostly. But, fine, let’s talk about these two biotech companies, Exelixis and Summit Therapeutics. Because, honestly, what else am I going to do? Watch reruns? I need something to distract me from the fact that nobody understands basic queuing principles.

Exelixis: The Cabometyx Conundrum

So, Exelixis. They’ve got this drug, Cabometyx. Sounds like a robot vacuum cleaner. It’s for cancer, apparently. Good for them. They’ve been riding this one drug for a decade. A decade! That’s like, ten years of hoping nobody comes up with a better robot vacuum…or, you know, cancer treatment. It’s a little precarious, don’t you think? They’re trying to diversify, which is smart. Though, the whole thing feels…late. Like realizing you need to start saving for retirement when you’re already collecting Social Security. They’ve applied for approval for this new drug, zanzalintinib. Zanzalintinib! What kind of name is that? It sounds like a fungal infection. They’re pairing it with something from Roche, Tecentriq. It’s a whole team effort. Which is fine. Unless, of course, something goes wrong. Then it’s everyone’s fault. And nobody takes responsibility. The usual.

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They’re planning more studies, more data readouts. More waiting. It’s always more waiting. And the promise of a “jolt” to the stock price. A jolt? Like I’m going to suddenly be happy about my portfolio? I just want consistent, predictable returns. Is that too much to ask? They say this Zanzalintinib will take time to ramp up. Of course it will. Everything takes time. Except for other people cutting in front of you in line. That happens instantaneously.

Summit Therapeutics: The Ivonescimab Imbroglio

Now we have Summit Therapeutics and this drug, ivonescimab. Try saying that five times fast. It supposedly outperformed Keytruda – the world’s best-selling cancer drug – in a study in China. China! Okay, so it works in China. That’s…great. I guess. But what about here? What about the United States of America? They’re trying to replicate the results. Replicate! As if it’s some simple science experiment. They’ve got 42 studies going on. Forty-two! That’s a lot of studies. It’s almost as if they’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. And analysts are predicting peak sales of $53 billion. $53 billion! It’s ridiculous. It’s just a number. A completely arbitrary number. I bet they just pulled it out of thin air.

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They’ve applied for FDA approval. More waiting. They’re investigating it for a range of indications. Which is fine. Unless, of course, they find something they don’t like. Then it’s back to the drawing board. They keep saying there are “risks.” Of course there are risks! Everything has risks! Crossing the street has risks! Ordering a sandwich has risks! It’s just that nobody wants to admit it. They want to pretend everything is going to be fine. It’s infuriating. Look, I’m not saying these companies are bad. I’m just saying…it’s complicated. And honestly, I’d rather be home, reorganizing my spice rack. At least that makes sense.

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2026-02-01 03:04