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"If VISX thinks it can't happen to them, just read the ratings of the machines being tested and the projected sales prices against the price of a VISX laser (the new generation)."
VISX is very very very aware that they must keep their technology the best and with their new upgrade they have. As for the projected sales price comment, what do you mean? Autonomous is basically a rental on a per procedure basis and they will charge the PPP fee (and hold it in escrow) on top of their rental fee. Do you not think that Visx will compete on price when the time comes? And what other company is spending more on R&D than Visx? Obviously, there will be competition in the future, but how will the new companies make money? They are all going to have to license the Summit and Visx patents, which isn't going to come cheap. And then they must compete head-to-head with Visx and Summit. Certainly, the companies can not recoup their investment and FDA costs from the laser sales alone. They will all have an associated per use fee like Visx and Summit.
As for Summit never losing a lawsuit, well they have only won one, against Schwind for $800,000 or so. Visx settled with Summit on Azema last year, not because Summit would have won, but just to get on with business. Summit can never sue Visx again on Azema even if PPP is broken up. That alone was probably worth it to Visx. And Visx is still suing Summit for failing to pay proper machine royalties into PPP. And guess what, it is for $4.5 million. And the court date is May. |
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