Arch Therapeutics Inc (ARTH)

[Polyphemus]

You're assuming that a "partner" is going be a well-capitalized firm that will run a 'soup to nuts' operation under a license with ARTH, manufacture & sell AC5 products, & pay ARTH a royalty based on sales. People on this board hope that this will be the case. However, this seems to be not the case for ARTH. Mr. Norchi states that ARTH is building inventory; it has a manufacturer (Confidential)....seems to be under the ARTH & AC5 brands. The 'partnership' will apparently be one or more distribution agreements. (Pricing is also confidential) Product price & cost will matter a lot, particularly in a crowded wound care space.

Also, CE mark gives a manufacturer authority to market throughout Europe and a few additional markets such as Turkey. CE Mark does not establish reimbursement. Reimbursement & pricing is country by country, and has to be established separately in each jurisdiction. Not only will it take time, but transfer pricing & profitability may vary by 'partner'. Spain has 7 reimbursement zones; Italy buys hospital supplies & devices via tenders on a local basis. Product cost & transfer price will matter a lot, as will cash flow.

No news about the US market; strange. US is the world's largest & most profitable med device market. ARTH has a 510(k) premarket clearance.??

The thrust of these comments are that the term 'partner' is ambiguous and may mean different things in different deals for different geographical markets. Local partners are not anxious to carry all commercial risk; some, perhaps most, will remain with ARTH.

Given the track record of ARTH, is Mr. Norchi painting an ambiguous but positive picture to set the stage for another capital raise while avoiding statements that have legal impliocations? This could be the time to invest in ARTH as the stock price is down 25% from recent higher prices; or it could be another false dawn. We have to choose. I'd like some additional information, including a revenue forecast & a pro forma P&L, before choosing. You?