The LA Times released a compelling article highlighting the mounting evidence that stem cell treatments will be some of the highest priced treatments within the medical marketplace.  Titled “Sky-high price of new stem cell therapies is a growing concern,” the author Michael Hiltzik explores the often exorbitant costs associated with stem cell procedures.

In a powerful statement that summarizes the author’s position, he writes, “The evidence is already mounting that stem cell and other advanced biologic treatments will be among the most expensive therapies in the medical arsenal.” As examples of expensive cell therapy procedures, Hiltzik cites that Prochymal, a mesenchymal stem cell treatment approved in Canada, can costs as much as $200K, while Provenge, a cell-based vaccine for prostate cancer, can cost nearly $100K to extend a patient’s life by a few months.  [Read more…]