bio, as usual your missives give pause to contemplate certain facts. And, since I have been doing the holiday thing and tomorrow it is time to rejoin the fray, I thought I would reengage my brain and offer simple observations on your posts...let's begin with this one...
There is no way that CRL can compete with Sawston in my opinion, on price.
Actually, my point is not about the 1-1 comparison. While it can be assumed the differences in ownership/relationship will have an impact on price, the more salient question is which can help achieve scale more quickly and, once it is reached, where might the economies of scale meet the learning curve effect? For those not aware about the importance of the learning curve, here is a more effective explanation...
A learning curve is a mathematical concept that graphically depicts how a process is improved over time due to learning and increased proficiency. The learning curve theory is that tasks will require less time and resources the more they are performed because of proficiencies gained as the process is learned.
Ergo, the process becomes less expensive and the profit margins increase.
About price, last point...I expect QVIA will weigh in on pricing once DCVax gets approved. Since it will likely have orphan drug status, how could they not? If so, it offers support for pricing...provided that it is reasonable and Dr. Toms already told the press what he thought a price might be (A price, not THE price).
As no2koolaid points out, scale favors CRL price wise for purchase of components and both Advent and CRL need the same equipment and much of it is not sourced from NWBO. The Flaskworks units will be bought or leased by both parties from NWBO. Linda is friendly with both groups even if Sawston is the preferred for proof of concept initial scaling. FDA will need proof CRL is ready before they give the green light in the US so I expect the hiring and process testing has been going on behind the scenes getting ready for FDA approval at CRL too. The hiring pattern and expansion plans for this year clearly point to this. Best wishes.