While I know nothing about this drug, I think it has one thing going for it that should almost guarantee it is cheaper than all the other biologics, and that is the pill delivery. Every insurance company I've ever dealt with seems to keep all "injectable drugs" in a special class all their own. Don't know if this arose due to the injection delivery of insulin for diabetics, but I'd be surprised if that didn't somehow play a part. I think injection is always the least desirable form of delivery for drug companies, as it costs more to produce, has more side effects due exculsively to the injection itself (ie, infection and/or sepsis), and it is frowned upon by insurance companies. Therefore, it would seem that any drug that can be delivered in a pill instead of an injection (or, as in the case of Remicade, IV infusion) almost HAS to be cheaper. I would be happy to be shown to be wrong about this--well, happy isn't the right word, as that would mean there is a chance the pill will cost as much or more than the injectables, but you know what I mean!

And, if I am right and it is cheaper, how much cheaper remains to be seen and will likely not be known until just before they are ready to release this drug (assuming all trials go ok, knock wood).

Brad

He who has a 'why' to live can bear with almost any 'how'.
--Friedrich Nietzsche

Sounds like everything takes time, discipline, and patience, and those are seven things I don't have.
--Jon Dore