In their 2018 Annual Report Portola commented that 'we believe that Bevyxxa has significant commercial potential', but that 'it will require significant additional effort and more resources than we currently have to drive adoption and market acceptance.'Ībove: Portola's Drug Portfolio. The biopharmaceutical company has made the decision to limit commercialisation efforts around Bevyxxa, the FDA approved anti-coagulant designed for extended duration prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), after its application to market the drug in Europe was rejected by the CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use), and a request for re-evaluation also rejected ( Source: GlobeNewsWire / Portola).

Portola has experienced more than a few issues related to the approval and commercialisation of its flagship drugs, Andexxa and Bevyxxa. I expect the good news story to continue as Q3 results are released on November 5th and would recommend acquiring some Portola shares in anticipation of serious growth potential. I make Portola a strong buy for 2 main reasons firstly, the sales potential of Andexxa which I believe could exceed $1bn within 5 years, and secondly, because Portola must surely be a tempting acquisition prospect for big pharma who would benefit from both Andexxa's sales and the unrealised potential of Bevyxxa. Development of Bevyxxa has been sidelined due to lack of funds but still remains a potentially lucrative prospect, whilst Certulatinib, albeit early stage, also has promise. Of its portfolio, Andexxa, the anti-coagulant looks to be a potential blockbuster since it is has been heavily backed by big pharmas Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb, as the only FDA approved antidote for their market leading blood thinners Xarelto and Eliquis. Arguably however, the company's prospects look better now that at any stage in its history. Portola has experienced plenty of highs and lows and that has been reflected in a share price that has risen as high as $66 (in July 2017) but has since dwindled to just under $29.

Andexxa drug