In: Finance
AstraZeneca is developing a vaccine to combat COVID19. It expects the first cash inflow from this project to be $525,000 in 6 years’ time and then an inflow will occur every half a year for the next five years. The success of this project results in an expectation of the cash inflows growing at a rate of 11.32% p.a. compounded annually. After the patent on this vaccination expires, the long-term growth rate will drop to zero and the cash inflows will cease. If AstraZeneca requires a return of 16.48% p.a. compounded annually, what is the maximum amount of money they could put into developing this vaccine for it to be worthwhile?
Semi annual rate equivalent to growth rate of 13.42% compounded annually =
(1+13.42%)^(1/2)-1= 6.498826%
Semi annual rate equivalent to rate of return of 16.48% compounded annually =
(1+16.48%)^(1/2)-1= 7.925901%
Cash inflows as stated constitute a growing annuity due of $525,000, semi annual, for 5 years, starting 6 years from now.
Maximum amount that can be invested now is the PV of this annuity, further discounted for 6 years = $ 1,981,320.03
Calculation as follows: