Beartrap, if it's true that our compassionate use program is even close to taxing the capacity of leukapheresis, we're using most of our cleanrooms to meet compassionate use demand. If that's true, not all that many new patients can be added unless compassionate use can be switched to another activity.
If the EDEN is permitted for compassionate use, then perhaps London, FlaskWorks, and/or Pittsburg could come into play.
I believe that if there is a shortage of leukapheresis facilities the demand will rapidly lead to more becoming available.
Is there anything preventing the patient from having the leukapheresis prior to the surgery? If not, and no place exists near where the patient lives, it might be wise to do it prior to surgery when a patient may be able to travel more easily.
As a Los Angeles resident, I have so many choices that it's hard to believe that serious shortages occur in countries like the UK, but that may be the case. I doubt if NICE approval will take long as LP has indicated a willingness to keep the price reasonable. They agreed to roughly a quarter million for compassionate use, I don't believe there will be a problem using that figure as something that was previously accepted.
Gary
Bullish