Evaluating the Net Present Value (NPV) of Drug Abuse Sciences (DAS) Investment in a Cure for Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction is a significant issue in the United States, with approximately 14 million Americans affected. The federal government estimates that these addictions cost the U.S. economy $300 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. Despite the vast potential market for a cure, many biotech companies have refrained from investing in research and development (R&D) for this cause. However, Drug Abuse Sciences (DAS) has already invested $160 million in developing a cure and now faces a critical decision: either abandon the program or invest an additional $35 million today. To make an informed decision, DAS must evaluate the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project.
Understanding Net Present Value (NPV)
NPV is a financial metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment or project. It represents the difference between the present value of cash inflows and outflows over a given period, discounted at a specific rate. A positive NPV indicates that the projected earnings (in present value terms) exceed the anticipated costs, thus making the investment potentially profitable.
Given Data
- Additional Investment Required Today: $35 million
- Opportunity Cost of Funds (Discount Rate): 7% (0.07)
- Expected Year-End Profits from Selling the Drug:
- Year 1: $0
- Year 2: $0
- Year 3: $0
- Year 4: $0
- Year 5: $13,200,000
- Year 6: $16,300,000
- Year 7: $18,000,000
- Year 8: $20,500,000
- Year 9: $21,800,000
Calculation Steps
To calculate the NPV, we need to discount each of the future cash flows back to their present value and then sum these values. The formula for calculating the present value (PV) of a future cash flow is:
PV=CFt(1+r)tPV = \frac{CF_t}{(1 + r)^t}PV=(1+r)tCFt
Where:
- CFtCF_tCFt is the cash flow in year ttt
- rrr is the discount rate
- ttt is the year
The NPV is the sum of the present values of all future cash flows minus the initial investment:
NPV=∑t=1nCFt(1+r)t−Initial InvestmentNPV = \sum_{t=1}^{n} \frac{CF_t}{(1 + r)^t} – \text{Initial Investment}NPV=∑t=1n(1+r)tCFt−Initial Investment
Detailed Calculation
Year 1 to Year 4:
- Cash Flow (CF) = $0
- Present Value (PV) = \frac{0}{(1 + 0.07)^t} = $0 for each year.
Year 5:
- CF = $13,200,000
- PV = \frac{13,200,000}{(1 + 0.07)^5} = \frac{13,200,000}{1.40255} \approx $9,407,287.75
Year 6:
- CF = $16,300,000
- PV = \frac{16,300,000}{(1 + 0.07)^6} = \frac{16,300,000}{1.50073} \approx $10,857,614.39
Year 7:
- CF = $18,000,000
- PV = \frac{18,000,000}{(1 + 0.07)^7} = \frac{18,000,000}{1.60578} \approx $11,209,887.77
Year 8:
- CF = $20,500,000
- PV = \frac{20,500,000}{(1 + 0.07)^8} = \frac{20,500,000}{1.71819} \approx $11,934,640.25
Year 9:
- CF = $21,800,000
- PV = \frac{21,800,000}{(1 + 0.07)^9} = \frac{21,800,000}{1.83846} \approx $11,854,145.29
Summing the Present Values
Total PV=0+0+0+0+9,407,287.75+10,857,614.39+11,209,887.77+11,934,640.25+11,854,145.29=55,263,575.45\text{Total PV} = 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 9,407,287.75 + 10,857,614.39 + 11,209,887.77 + 11,934,640.25 + 11,854,145.29 = 55,263,575.45Total PV=0+0+0+0+9,407,287.75+10,857,614.39+11,209,887.77+11,934,640.25+11,854,145.29=55,263,575.45
Calculating the NPV
NPV=Total PV−Initial InvestmentNPV = \text{Total PV} – \text{Initial Investment}NPV=Total PV−Initial Investment NPV=55,263,575.45−35,000,000=20,263,575.45NPV = 55,263,575.45 – 35,000,000 = 20,263,575.45NPV=55,263,575.45−35,000,000=20,263,575.45
Conclusion
The NPV of DAS’s additional $35 million investment is approximately $20,263,575.45. Since the NPV is positive, it indicates that the projected profits from the drug sales, discounted to their present value, exceed the additional investment required. Therefore, it would be financially advantageous for Drug Abuse Sciences (DAS) to proceed with the investment in the development of the cure for drug and alcohol addiction.
