Malibu Pharmacia Ltd. recently carried out clinical trials on a new drug which was developed to reduce the effects of diabetes. The research and development costs incurred on the drug amount to SCR. 160 million. In order to evaluate the market potential of the drug, an independent research firm conducted market research at a cost of SCR. 15 million. The independent researchers submitted a report indicating that the drug is likely to have a useful life of 4 years (before new advanced drugs are introduced into the market). It is projected that in the year the drug is launched it could be sold to authorised drug stores (chemists and hospitals) at SCR.20 per 500mg capsule. After the first year, the price is expected to increase by 20% per annum. For each of the four years of the drug's life, the sales have been estimated stochastically as shown below: Number of Capsules sold Probability 11 million 0.3 14 million 0.6 16 million 0.1 If the company decides to launch the new drug, it is possible for production to commence immediately. The equipment required to produce the drug is already owned by the company and originally cost SCR. 150 million. At the end of the drug life, the equipment could be sold for SCR. 35 million. If the company decides against the launch of the new drug, the equipment will be sold immediately for SCR.85 million as it will be of no further use to the company. The new drug requires two hours of direct labour for each 500 mg capsule produced. The cost of labour for the new drug is SCR.4 per hour. New workers will have to be recruited to produce the new drug. At the end of the life, the workers are unlikely to be offered further employment with the company and redundancy costs of SCR. 10 million are expected. The cost of ingredients for the new drug is SCR.6 per 500mg capsule. Additional overheads arising from the production of the drug are expected to be SCR.15 million per annum. Additional work capital of SCR.2 million will be required during the drug's 4-year life. 3 Assignment, 2024 The drug has attracted interest of the company's main competitors and if the company decides not to produce the drug, it could sell the patent right to Welo Kam (K) Ltd., its competitor, at SCR. 125 million. The cost of capital is estimated to be 12%. Required: a) The expected Net Present Value of the new drug. (11 marks b) State with reasons whether the company should launch the new drug. (2 marks) c) Discuss one strength and weakness of the expected Net Present Value approach for making investment decisions. (2 marks) Ignore Taxation (Total: 15 marks)