Metabical Case Study
Mai Nguyen
New Product Planning
Professor Patton
3/5/14
Metabical:
Pricing, Packaging, and Demand Forecasting for a New Weight-Loss Drug Case
1. How does Metabical compare to current weight-loss options?
There are only several other weight-loss options in the market competing with Metabical. The first is prescription drugs. These are prescribed for use only by obese and severely obese individuals. This meant that only individuals with BMI of over 30 who were prescribed weight-loss drugs were using appetite suppressants and fat-absorbing blockers. They had serious side effects associated as well, which meant only a doctor could approve them. But these prescription-drug options did not account for the overweight segment with BMIs between 25 and 30 who were looking for weight-loss solutions as well. The second option was the over-the-counter weight-loss drugs. However, the only real over-the-counter weight-loss solution approved by the FDA was Alli. The problem with Alli, though, was that it had many negative side effects, with over 30 reports of liver damage. Other over-the-counter solutions were considered herbal or dietary supplements by the FDA so they were no regulated. The issue with these supplements was that they negative side affects were not discovered until after the product was widely in use. The last weight-loss option was using a diet plan, exercise plan, mealy replacement products, weight management support programs, or pre-portioned packaged food delivery services. Metabical, on the other hard, would be the first prescription drug approved specifically for overweight individuals. The current weight-loss options did not capitalize on such market so Metabical had a good opportunity to excel in. These were individuals who had hopes of losing about 10 to 30 pounds but did not need to prescribe to obese weight-loss solutions or commit to a diet/exercise plan.
2. What are the pros and cons of forecasting methods presented by Printup?
New Product Planning
Professor Patton
3/5/14
Metabical:
Pricing, Packaging, and Demand Forecasting for a New Weight-Loss Drug Case
1. How does Metabical compare to current weight-loss options?
There are only several other weight-loss options in the market competing with Metabical. The first is prescription drugs. These are prescribed for use only by obese and severely obese individuals. This meant that only individuals with BMI of over 30 who were prescribed weight-loss drugs were using appetite suppressants and fat-absorbing blockers. They had serious side effects associated as well, which meant only a doctor could approve them. But these prescription-drug options did not account for the overweight segment with BMIs between 25 and 30 who were looking for weight-loss solutions as well. The second option was the over-the-counter weight-loss drugs. However, the only real over-the-counter weight-loss solution approved by the FDA was Alli. The problem with Alli, though, was that it had many negative side effects, with over 30 reports of liver damage. Other over-the-counter solutions were considered herbal or dietary supplements by the FDA so they were no regulated. The issue with these supplements was that they negative side affects were not discovered until after the product was widely in use. The last weight-loss option was using a diet plan, exercise plan, mealy replacement products, weight management support programs, or pre-portioned packaged food delivery services. Metabical, on the other hard, would be the first prescription drug approved specifically for overweight individuals. The current weight-loss options did not capitalize on such market so Metabical had a good opportunity to excel in. These were individuals who had hopes of losing about 10 to 30 pounds but did not need to prescribe to obese weight-loss solutions or commit to a diet/exercise plan.
2. What are the pros and cons of forecasting methods presented by Printup?