27 November 2024

Price increases from January 1, 2025

Special Announcement to Researchers

In June 2024, the Department of Experimental Medicine (AEM) notified price increases for internal users to come into effect on January 1, 2025. The expectation was that prices would increase by a maximum of 25 pct. annually. For most users, the price increases will be at a somewhat lower level in 2025.

General pricing

The following general price increases have been decided for internal users in 2025:

  • 8 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L) price increase for rodent housing
  • 13 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L) price increase for housing and operations of pigs, as well as housing for zebrafish, and frogs
  • 8 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L) price increase for technical assistance

Areas with higher price increases

As part of the ‘General Plan for the future AEM' (Helhedsplan for fremtidens AEM'), a new pricing structure will come into effect from 2026. Prices will reflect relevant costs in a clear and transparent pricing structure.

To balance the differences between comparable services and not impose too large price increases on certain areas in 2025, prices for the following areas will be harmonized over two years. This means that the following areas will increase at a higher rate than the general price increases. This will also be the case in 2026 when the new service catalog (price list) is implemented.

Rodents:
  • Type III cages, conventional at AKB, increase by 11 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L) 
  • Type II and III IVC cages for immunodeficient/Helicobacter-free animals in all sections, except in the Biocenter, increase by 13 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L) (also applies to breeding)
  • Type II Long IVC cages for breeding at MGU increase by 11 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L)
  • Type III cages, conventional breeding at AKB, increase by 13 pct. (including the regular 3 pct. P/L)

To enable harmonization, there will be no price increases for immunodeficient animals at the Biocenter in 2025; however, there will still be a 3 pct. P/L adjustment.

Effective date of price increases for 2025

The price increases will come into effect from January 1, 2025. Since the counting of services is done on a weekly basis, the new prices will in practice apply from week 2.

Background for price increases

AEM has generated a structural deficit over several years. This is primarily because the price level for services from AEM for internal users has not been adjusted in line with increased costs. AEM has many fixed costs and cutting expenses is not an option to eliminate the deficit. In addition, necessary investments in connection with renovation and digitalization will increase costs.

The management of AEM and the faculty at SUND have established a Steering Committee, who has been tasked with developing and implementing a ‘General Plan for the future AEM’ (‘Helhedsplan for fremtidens AEM’). The Dean's Office, Faculty Management (FLT), and the Academic Council (AR) have discussed and provided input for the plan. The General Plan consists of several initiatives, including the development of a pricing model that reflects relevant costs and a clear and transparent pricing structure.

A comprehensive analysis of costs linked to various services and animal types has been prepared, as well as estimates of AEM's investment needs in the coming years. The price increases will be phased in, while considering existing grants.

Pricing structure

In the current pricing structure, prices do not necessarily reflect the costs associated with the services, and comparable services may be priced differently depending on location.

To have a transparent pricing structure, AEM’s service catalog will be changed based on the principles that services are priced according to costs associated with the activity and that there are similar prices for comparable services.

Simplification of the service catalog

The service catalog (price list) will be simplified from 1 January 2026. AEM will offer the same services, but the service catalog is expected to change from including 62 categories of housing to 23, and technical services are expected to change from 75 services to 44. The change for housing consists of merging cage types where the cost structure is the same, but where prices previously have been differentiated. Concerning technical services, several former item numbers will be combined, and services relating to breeding are removed as independent categories.

For breeding, all services that must be performed are included in the price, so that comparable breeding cages are priced the same and with the same technical service, regardless of the animal section.

Further information

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