Jefferies Maintains DIFICID Sales Estimates

Jefferies is maintaining its “modest/below-consensus sales estimates” on DIFICID, a new treatment for Clostridium difficileassociated diarrhea from Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OPTR. “We maintain our U.S. sales estimates of ~$8M in 2011 (vs. consensus of ~$10M), ~$46M in 2012 (cons. ~$69M) and ~$95M in 2013 (vs. cons. $135M),” Jefferies writes. “We conservatively assume DIFICID sales revenue starting in 4Q11 (vs. OPTR's planned launch in 3Q11). We continue to view copromotion efforts with Cubist would reduce risks associated with a first drug launch by a small biotech company like OPTR and offer benefits particularly in the initial phase of the commercial launch cycle. “While this may not be an apples-to-apples comparison, Cubicin, launched in 4Q03, generated $59M in the first full-year, $114M in the 2nd full-year and $190M in the 3rd full-year on the market.” Optimer Pharmaceuticals closed Friday at $12.98.