Please correct me if I'm wrong. I believe there are currently a few places that are either certified or working on it for providing DCVax-L. Does anyone know what their capability is monthly.
It's also my belief that with proper handling, it wouldn't matter which facility made the vaccine, though clearly the closest one would be ideal.
I know in the case of stem cells, they come from all over the world. Mine most likely came from Europe as in at least some countries there, if you want a drivers license you provide a DNA sample, so a lot of stem cell transplants come from Europe. If it were up to me, that would be the case world wide, though I'm sure many would fight to say it's an invasion of their privacy.
I have no idea if a sample of my DNA at age 16 would have shown I would develop leukemia at 70, I don't think so, but some people are concerned about their DNA revealing future health problems. I don't think it should be used that way, but I'm fine if it's used to prevent those problems from occurring. We know DNA solves crimes, but I would hope that those who view it as an invasion of their privacy aren't planning on being criminals, if you are, all the more reason for getting it for crime prevention purposes.
On approval, if sufficient production capability doesn't exist, more will be added. I know City of Hope can make personalized drugs, I would suspect that if they were supplied sufficient information, they could make the vaccine in limited quantities. The thing is, the company would have to be paid to allow it, but COH might be able to support their patients who need it, and perhaps even take the overflow of additional needed vaccine in a pinch. I'm only suggesting that until sufficient sites are commercially available, places like COH and UCLA who clearly can make the vaccine in limited quantity can provide it.
The key is gaining approval, after that meeting demand will result in new capability developing. BP has generally wanted products it can mass produce, which clearly isn't the case here. In the future, I believe the entire industry will be moving in the direction of personalized drugs. BP will either adopt to this technology, or give up what will be a growing business that starts with something from the patient, and delivers a product strictly for that patient.
Gary
