Re: The hard numbers start to come out
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Posted by Bryan on 09:24:10 2009/06/19
In Reply to:
Re: The hard numbers start to come out posted by mariner
Regarding LCT not supplying to the entire world need, that is also what I understood from earlier comments. So why is this in the news from LCT?
* The company need to build 80 pig facilities during the next few years to meet the market demand, which would be enough to treat 30,000 to 40,000 people a year.
Questions are then coming up: What market demand are we looking at getting fulfilled with treating just 30,000-40,000 persons per year? Clearly there are a few gaps: LCT comment on fulfilling the market need by building own pig facilities, and are targetting to treat 30,000-40,000 per year. Which we all know is not enough in any measure, so why this narrow target for inhouse pig breeding and why say this is fulfilling the market need?
Second point:
* Cost per treatment is estimated at $100,000.
Yes, currently on top of BG test strips you have insulin and cost of complications so it all adds up fast. But looking at a procedure cost of $100,000, then please take into account that you need this implant procedure at $100,000 repeated again and again to maintain sufficient number of islet cells alive to keep your bg in control (otherwise you will still need your daily bg test strips, your insulin shots, and potentially still get your DM related complications). And then the healthcare economic equation may no longer look sufficiently attractive to justify (public or insurance reimbursement, etc).
Therefore my questions if we are now entering into a period where LCT may offer the procedure to the superrich/highest bidders until technology/pigs/etc all makes potentially the price come down and the volume still will make it equally profitable for LCT to go after the mass market instead of just for the few willing and able diabetics to pay the $100k per visit.
I continously save money up for the day, so eager to understand where I may relocate to (still only Russia?) to get first in line when it is within my own personal $ limit. Volume limitations and high-price tag all are barriers I would enjoy seeing coming down fast to enhance my own chances to get it sooner than later.
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