Question: Orchid Biotech Company is evaluating several different development projects for experimental drugs. Although the cash flows are difficult to forecast, the company has come up with the following estimates of the initial capital requirements and NPVs for the projects. Given a wide variety of staffing needs, the company has also estimated the number of research scientists required for each development project (all cost values are given in millions of dollars). Project Number Initial Capital Number of Research Scientists NPV I $10 2 $10.1 II 15 3 19.0 III 15 4 22.0 IV 20 3 25.0 V 30 12 60.2
a. Suppose that Orchid has a total capital budget of $60 million. Calculate the profitability index for each project. How should Orchid prioritize these projects?
b. Suppose that Orchid currently has 12 research scientists and does not anticipate being able to hire more in the near future. How should Orchid prioritize these projects? If instead Orchid had 15 research scientists available explain why the profitability index cannot be used to prioritize projects. Which projects should it choose now?