it is nice, in a depressing sort of way, to hear that my perception is accurate.

but i think my ultimate question got lost - if one is trying to think of ways to create incentive for players in the research field to go at it hammer and tongs, and there is are few ways to create incentive for industry, who else coulld be influenced, and how?

One idea i have heard is a big ol' pot of money - a prize. could never be large enough to be a carrot for industry, but perhaps for an academic researcher? do you think offering a prize could have a beneficial effect on the timeline to either a therapy that works or a cure (I would take either ;-))