QDIS Blog

Pfizer is acquiring Powdermed for their new technology related to vaccines.

RED HERRING | Pfizer Nabs Startup PowderMed:

Pfizer wants the technology they have developed to produce vaccines using DNA-caoted microscopic gold particles that can be placed under the skin without a needle using a pressurized gas. Powdermed is developing vaccines for herpes, chronic hepatitis and genital warts.

This is a good acquisition for Pfizer since they don’t have a presence in vaccines and the hope seems to be that this technology will be far ahead of the old egg-based vaccine or the newer developments with cell-based vaccine production.

Technorati Tags: Pfizer, pharma M&A, pharmaceutical deals, Powdermed

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Genentech has one of the most expensive drugs for cancer in Avastatin which can cost $50,000 per year. for colon cancer. Avastin was recently approved for lung cancer but since twice as much is needed to treat lung cancer, it would cost $100,00 per year. So it was interesting to see that Genentech is capping the cost.

Genentech Caps Cost of Cancer Drug for Some Patients - New York Times:

The drug was to be capped at $55,000 for families of certain income levels. This isn’t too big of a deal though because many patients never live long enough to reach this cap (median survival is 12.3 months). As it is apporved for more indications based on future trials, this could change especially if

Their other choice would have been to reduce the price of the drug across the board but it is likely this wold have reduced the income from Avastin more than just capping the cost. From the terms of maximizing their profits, this may be a good deal. Also, as Avastin is approved for additional indications, the potential for Avastin is enormous; some consider it to be able to reach$ 4 to $10 billion in sales per year.

Technorati Tags: Avastin, cancer drug, drug cost, Genentech, lung cancer

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