major breakthough 20cents to 20 bucks, page-29

re: the old biotech spike trick Just a few extra things to take into account:

An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s has more than doubled since 1980. By 2050 the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s could range from 11.3 million to 16 million.

Finding a treatment that could delay onset by five years could reduce the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 50 percent after 50 years (we are talking a CURE).

Increasing age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. One in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 are affected.

Alzheimer’s disease costs American business $61 billion a year, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Medicare costs for beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s are expected to increase 75 percent, from $91 billion in 2005 to $160 billion in 2010; Medicaid expenditures on residential dementia care will increase 14 percent, from $21 billion in 2005 to $24 billion in 2010, according to a report commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The federal government estimates spending approximately $647 million for Alzheimer’s disease research in fiscal year 2005.

Imagine the potential a cure would have, not just for sufferers and their families, but from an economic stand point. Endless potential on this one IMO. Cheers