Jockeying with JAKs

Following the release of data from multiple trials of JAK-2 inhibitors for myelofibrosis, it's clear that Incyte Corp. is not only ahead in terms of its development timeline, but more importantly has Phase III results that set a high hurdle for others to beat.

Myelofibrosis is a hematologic malignancy for which there are no approved drugs in the U.S. The disease is characterized by proliferation of abnormal bone marrow stem cells that are ultimately replaced with collagenous connective tissue fibers. As the bone marrow becomes fibrotic, the abnormal stem cells move to the spleen and liver, which also become fibrotic. Patients typically die in three to five years...