In an April 10 report for biotech clients, Goldman Sachs analysts noted that one-shot cures for diseases are not great for business as they're bad for long term profits. The investment banks' report, led "The Genome Revolution," asks clients: "Is curing patients a sustainable business model?" The answer may be "no," according to follow-up information provided. Ars Technica reports:
Analyst Salveen Richter and colleagues laid it out: "The potential to deliver 'one shot cures' is one of the most attractive aspects of gene therapy, genetically engineered cell therapy, and gene editing. However, such treatments offer a very different outlook with regard to recurring revenue versus chronic therapies... While this proposition carries tremendous value for patients and society, it could represent a challenge for genome medicine developers looking for sustained cash flow."
For a real-world example, they pointed to Gilead Sciences, which markets treatments for hepa is C that have cure rates exceeding 90 percent. In 2015, the company's hepa is C treatment sales peaked at $12.5 billion. But as more people were cured and there were fewer infected individuals to spread the disease, sales began to languish. Goldman Sachs analysts estimate that the treatments will bring in less than $4 billion this year. [Gilead]'s rapid rise and fall of its hepa is C franchise highlights one of the dynamics of an effective drug that permanently cures a disease, resulting in a gradual exhaustion of the prevalent pool of patients," the analysts wrote. The report noted that diseases such as common cancers -- where the "incident pool remains stable" -- are less risky for business.
Chris Rock already covered this a long time ago, one of his many "true jokes"
Said BigPharma doesn't ever want to cure you (where's the profits in that?), only want 100Ms taking their for the rest of their lives.
BigPharma Capitalism's priority is steady cash flows and big profits, not curing people.
Hepa is C drug combo is $90K+ for 12 weeks.
This isn’t an Onion article!?
If they really understand the nature of diseases caused by microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses) they must understand we will never catch up to the evolutionary process. The microbes are so numerous and there is so much variation it’s an impossible task. We have already run out of the basic class of antibiotics that cure through disruption of bacterial RNA. And viruses are even tougher. Malaria has even proven to be extraordinarily difficult. The flu is a mess...
They don’t want sales to languish during the first introduction of an effective creation. New problems will always pop up, just wait a few years.
For real devious thinking they might profit more readily if there is always a class of undernourished,immunodepleted population of people as a quick source of new diseases. For communicable diseases anyway...
Last edited by pgardn; 04-14-2018 at 01:31 PM.
A govt actuary in France had a similar observation.
(While the French govt naturally has an anti-smoking group, it has (or did have) a govt cigarette factory. jobs!)
The govt actuary said smoking was "cost-effective" because cigarettes killed people early, removing their decades of cost from the govt health system.
People were upset at that "actuarial humanity", but the actuary was naive, because he didn't take into account that smoking worsens, sickens, complicates many other diseases and medical interventions for smokers who don't die, and so cost the govt more than non-smokers.
Yes.
Smokers are really a pain for insurance because when they start declining so many issues arise they are constantly in and out of the hospital. What is best for all involved is a quick painless death. Trying to keep people alive that are hanging on for any extended period, even months in some cases, can be very costly.
So...
Heres wishing everyone massive painless heart failure at 85 (while still physical able and enjoying a stroll) after a life loaded with fulfillment... and family members realizing this.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
