# Scott Adams says he is dying {Died January 13th, 2026 at age 68} **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [May 22, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677 "2025-05-22T18:14:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/142 "2025-11-02T23:15:50Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Could be a real supply chain issue with supplying a dose on a couple of days notice. Surely he’s not the only patient who it’s produced for. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/143 "2025-11-02T23:26:45Z")
With such a short half-life and high price ($27,000 per dose) it probably is made with specific patients in mind. It _definitely_ can’t be stocked away. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/144 "2025-11-03T15:16:34Z")
It seems odd that a medication with such tight restrictions & astronomical price has a fairly extensive marketing campaign. I see the commercials somewhat frequently on Jeopardy & NFL games. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/145 "2025-11-03T15:25:41Z")
I didn’t know it had a marketing campaign. I had never heard of it until yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/146 "2025-11-03T15:32:27Z")
In researching my earlier post I saw the number of $27,000 a dose, but looking again I also see a quote of $42,500 per dose wholesale. > **[Novartis wins FDA OK for radiopharmaceutical drug, cashing in on Endocyte deal](https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/novartis-fda-approval-pluvicto-prostate-cancer-endocyte/620973/)** > > The approval of Pluvicto for prostate cancer is a notable step forward for the field of radiopharmaceutical therapy and validates the Swiss drugmaker's $2.1 billion buyout of Endocyte in 2018. Treatment is up to 6 doses spaced 6 weeks apart. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/147 "2025-11-03T15:46:41Z")
Just google pluvicto commercials, there are a few. Apparently you need to wear a condom to protect your partner from your radioactiveness. It probably glows without a UV light now. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/148 "2025-11-03T16:38:52Z")
> Kaiser Permanente said its nuclear medicine and oncology experts have treated more than 150 patients with Pluvicto since the FDA first approved it in 2022. [https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/dilbert-trump-kaiser-21134567.php](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/dilbert-trump-kaiser-21134567.php) That _is_ weird, advertising a drug used on 50 people a year. ETA it turns out that the SFC edited the quote in a deceptive way. Fox News lists more of it: > “Since it was approved by the FDA three years ago, Kaiser Permanente’s nuclear medicine and medical oncology experts have treated more than 150 patients with Lu-177 PSMA (Pluvicto) in Northern California alone. We know this drug and this disease.” So 150 just in Northern California, not 150 total. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/149 "2025-11-03T16:42:47Z")
Since Lutetium is so rare, one would think that collecting a patient’s urine and re-processing it would be worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/150 "2025-11-03T16:47:52Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > one would think that collecting a patient’s urine and re-processing it would be worthwhile. They’re trying to steal my essence! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/151 "2025-11-03T16:50:00Z")
Except the form that’s used decays quickly. Presumedly, they need to make new radioactive material for each patient. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/152 "2025-11-03T17:53:25Z")
The 177Lu used in the drug is actually not a natural element, so it must be produced by bombarding some other element with probably protons or alpha particles. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/153 "2025-11-03T17:57:55Z")
It is produced by neutron activation, so it requires an energetic neutron source. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/154 "2025-11-03T18:27:17Z")
And, that’s the deal, right? It’s made from Ytterbium, which isn’t particularly rare or expensive. So, the whole “Lutetium is really, really rare and and expensive, which is why this drug is so costly” is kind of a lie… ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/155 "2025-11-03T18:44:52Z")
Is this guy dead yet? If he could be right about anything I want it to be this. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/156 "2025-11-03T18:48:01Z")
I’m no nuclear physicist, but I can’t imagine neutron activation is a cheap process, and the fact you’ve got to get the finished medication into the patient within a few day window can’t help either. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/157 "2025-11-03T18:50:39Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s made from Ytterbium, which isn’t particularly rare or expensive. Looking it up, it _can_ be made from Ytterbium, but that process has its own problems, that makes it hard to compete with the process involving directly making it from 177Lu isotopes. So it would be expensive either way. ETA: anyone who really wants to know what the production difficulties are, can read this, which compares the two main methods. > **[Production of 177Lu for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: Available Options](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4463871/#Sec3)** > > Background: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the production of 177Lu to meet expected future research and clinical demands. Availability of options represents the cornerstone for sustainable growth for the routine production of ... ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/158 "2025-11-03T18:51:32Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > And, that’s the deal, right? > It’s made from Ytterbium, which isn’t particularly rare or expensive. So, the whole “Lutetium is really, really rare and and expensive, which is why this drug is so costly” is kind of a lie… No, it kind of isn’t. IT’s NOT ytterbium. It may be made _from_ it, but it’s a very, very expensive process. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/159 "2025-11-03T18:55:01Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s made from Ytterbium, which isn’t particularly rare or expensive. My computer’s processor is made of sand, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap to produce. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/160 "2025-11-03T19:19:30Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > It’s made from Ytterbium, which isn’t particularly rare or expensive. Yb is less than an order of magnitude more common than the stable isotope of Lu. All the lanthanides are found in “misch metal” ores, in relatively tiny quantities, so they have to be separated from each other. Being different elements, it may be possible to use chemical separation processes (unlike isotopes of a single element, which are chemically identical and have to be spun apart) but the separation is not particularly easy. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677/161 "2025-11-03T20:04:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > His two word reply was supposedly “On it!”. So Adams’ life depends on a promise made by Donald Trump. I’ve got my first pick for 2026. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-adams-says-he-is-dying-died-january-13th-2026-at-age-68/1018677.md?page=9)