Inside Montana right to try Law: $12,500 Path to Experimental Drugs

Montana right to try: New Experimental Drug Pathway

The Montana right to try law, enacted this week, lets biotech firms submit drugs that have cleared only minimal safety checks to a state‑run review board for a fee of ↑ $12,500. Once approved, companies may dispense the treatment through designated experimental clinics, the first of which is slated to open by the end of the year.

What the Rule Changes Mean for Patients

Under the legislation, any adult who signs an informed‑consent form and can cover the cost can access the medication, a provision praised by longevity advocates and condemned by bioethicists. Critics warn that the rapid rollout sidesteps rigorous trials, raising safety concerns echoed by Reuters.

“If it works, it could save lives; if it fails, it could cause harm,” says a leading researcher.

One family already feels the pressure. Kris DeVault, father of a newborn with creatine transporter deficiency, is lobbying for off‑label access to a candidate drug still in animal studies. The company behind the therapy cannot legally prescribe it yet, but the new law could change that.

Economic analysts note that the fee structure may generate ↓ 5% revenue for the state, while also creating a niche market for “right‑to‑try” clinics. The model mirrors earlier experiments in other states but is the most expansive in the nation.

For a deeper dive into the policy’s origins and potential ripple effects, read our full investigation.

Reported by Dr. Silas Mercer (Biotech & Longevity Editor).