After the shareholders meeting I went up and talked to Dr. Gold and I specifically asked him about comments David Miller had made at the gathering the night before that brought everyone down--namely that he felt it was inevitable that Dendreon be acquired because of their having had to shut down the pipeline to get Provenge over the finish line. The quote was "there is no pipeline".
Gold looked out in the audience area where David was still standing and said contemptuously (my interpretation, but part of my expertise and why I wanted to attend the ASM) "He doesn't know what he's talking about". He then went on to tell me that they have every intention of staying independent--absent the shareholders insisting on taking a giant offer--and that he wants Dendreon to revitalize Seattle biotech by becoming the new big national drug company centered there.
I was impressed that it is clear--especially from Chairman Brewer--that they intend to be the next Genentech or Amgen, and not the next Icos.
Just what I was looking for.
Also was fantastic to see all the posters from IV in person. I really enjoyed everyone I interacted with--Casey, Batgirl, Outofsalt, not4profit, jludlum, Belizeguy and charming wife,Snowball, Kitcat and many others...
Sorry for the late report--continued on to visit one of my kids in LA.
