Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was somehow relaxing and refreshing. After all, a break is a break. Now, though, the predictable round of Zoom and Skype meetings has returned. So time to get ready and we are doing so by brewing a few cups of delicious stimulation — maple bourbon, in this instance. Feel free to join us. Remember, no prescription is required. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get you going on your own journey. Hope you have a useful day and do keep in touch …
Amid escalating concerns over antibiotic resistance, several big drug makers are creating a new $1 billion for-profit venture to acquire or invest in small antibiotic companies and their nascent products, according to STAT. The effort will be announced on July 9 by the chief executive officers at Pfizer (PFE), Merck (MRK), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Novo Nordisk (NVO), among others. Billed as a new initiative to take on “the antibiotic innovation challenge,” the venture will have assistance from the World Health Organization and the European Investment Bank.
After weeks of anticipation, Gilead Sciences (GILD) has decided to price its experimental remdesivir treatment for Covid-19 at $2,340 for a five-day course, although U.S. insurers will pay 33% more, or $3,120, STAT writes. Countries in the developing world will get the drug at greatly reduced prices through generic manufacturers to which Gilead has licensed production. The company believes the value is much higher than various estimates, arguing that just by reducing the time patients spend in the hospital the drug would save $12,000 per patient.
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Given that Remdesivir is to be used when patients have reached the ICU, if 5 days at $470 / day saves / prevents 5 additional days in the ICU, it seems to be more than worth the price. (Givens and if’s included…)