Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc (TTNP)

[Doctor Detroit]

A big part of the problem is cost. To the insurer, and for patient co-pays.

The most recent price I've seen is $5,900 (almost a thousand dollar increase since the first launch in June 2016).

Per Braeburn's S-1, the cost to Braeburn to manufacture the implant is $600 for four rods (one treatment).

That's a lot of profit. They've agreed upon a lower price for the Federal Supply Schedule ($3,750), so why charge more to insurers? Years ago Higgins wrote a report assuming a $2,500 cost per treatment...imagine the sales potential at that price level.

It's not that hard: if you can only sell 20 at $5,900 but could sell a thousand at $3,000, you'd lower the price, right? Make it up on the volume as the saying goes.

The fact they are not doing so is telling. Either they bought probuphine to table it (prevent competition), or they want to price their injectables at a similarly high rate and don't want probuphine to have a price advantage.