Is NxStage Medical Inc. close to its peak?

[Jie]

Just take a look at NxStage annual reports. The company grew quickly from 2005 to 2008 and increased patients from below 200 to 3100 at the end of 2008. Its revenue was about $128 millions in 2008 and was projected increased by only 9% in 2009. The company continues to lose money each year. It lost about $49 millions in 2008. If it can continue to grow quickly, it is ok to lose some money and it will start to make money when it gets more patients. However, it looks like it hits a bump this year. I talked to my clinic (Fresenius) early this year about NxStage. To my surprising, they cannot access to NxStage machines. It must be some kinds of exclusive agreements. If this is the case, it will hurt growth too.

For those who have used NxStage and followed it, what do you think about the future of this company? If the wearable machine comes out during next 2 or 3 years, this may be a dead sentence for NxStage?

[silverhead]

My guess would be that unless something has changed, NxStage has not been supporting the use of their machines in Alaska, best guess would concern logistics of the extensive supplies they would have to ship up there and of course Fresenius does not want the competition coming in also......
Tom

[Jie]

NxStage has come to Alaska. Liberty group came in and brought NxStage with it last year. My clinic (Fresenius) uses Baxter for PD. So, Fresenius may not be a problem. It is NxStage.  If I want to change to NxStage, I have to change clinic.

[funnygarcia]

hmmmm...
When my dh first looked into home hemo he was a fresenius in center patient.
Went thru some basic info with the director at a center (now owned by Davita)  using Nx Stage or the Fresenius Baby K unit, inspector came out from the clinic to look at our tiny apartment to advise the feasibility of home hemo (space, water , electrical) and later install a dedicated GFI outlet for the Nx Stage.

The "inspector" realized our space constraints and gave the advice that Nx Stage would be the best fit (which is what we wanted anyway). Several weeks of calling back and leaving messages for the center director, he finally calls back and excitedly tells us "The Baby K would be perfect for you!" 


 HUH?

Talked to the director more and also found that they would not adjust their hours to fit my DH's student teaching schedule.

Stayed in center, moved out of state, moved back to same location and now he was in-center at Davita.
 
Referred to an "at home" clinic (Davita) and it was a totally different experience.

It was DH's choice what machine to use, if we had water issues.. no problem use bags... do we need any changes to the apartment?  "nope just a standard plug in"

Which begs the question??? If you are a Fresenius patient, does that roadblock you from using Nx Stage? And why?? hmmmmmmm....

[M3Riddler]

One major problem is most centers who use Fresenius do not offer NxStage as an option because they have already contracted with Fresenius. It is more about money that the care that the patients receive. It would be great to see clinics start offering patients more than one option of dialysis. Patients should have the choice of the modality to use after being educated on all products available.
It should not be about the Administrative Red Tape. It is up to the patients to start opening up and letting their Doctors know that they want more options such as NxStage. Read more at www.nxstageusers.com/forum

Regarding the wearable kidneys and other machines coming out. It will be at least 3 years before you see the next machine on the market. Then they will have to start testing them with trials. Who is to say that these machines wont have issues.  I believe NxStage will grow as it opens up in other countries and the word gets around.

HH
www.nxstageusers.com