Katie Hood on today's Huffington Post

As the Biotech Bubble Pops. . .

"The answer doesn't lie simply in a stimulus package of one kind or another. It's far more complicated than that, and incremental change won't cut the mustard. But this is an issue that affects all of us, one that's too big to ignore. As President Obama noted, the time has come to stop putting off unpleasant decisions and instead meet the demands of a new age. We need to take an honest look at the medical research enterprise to assess what's working and what's not. Are players' incentives aligned? Do risks match reward? It's critical that smart people who may never have thought about the drug development pipeline become engaged in this subject now -- before medical research slams into the wall."

read the whole thing here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katie-..._b_160389.html

Katie has written a realistic and understandable piece from the MJFF perspective. It's honest and useful. We need to be scrambling [in a constructive way] for alternatives.

thank you katie
paula

Thanks Carie for posting this.
Thanks to Katie Hood for an excellent analysis of medical research today. Here is my two cents worth on this topic!

As I see the current medical research enterprise is in three layers. Basic and applied research mostly funded by the NIH
Small biotech companies started by scientists, atleast some are passionate about developing cures
Big pharma that has been responsible for drug development so far.

We cannot depend on big pharma alone to develop drugs anymore, just as Katie Hood pointed out, big pharma is looking for big market share and drugs that continue to bring cash. I have no clue as to how to influence a big company towards a particular direction, so I will not comment on this.

Small biotech companies: I think this is where the hope for cure is. Small, dedicated group of scientists, many still passionate about what they do, can change the drug development scenarios. These companies survive on NIH and private fundings and need a boost. MJFF is already doing this, and its time for more money from NIH for this sector. Funding agencies need to encourage collaboration and cooperation among small biotechs. This opens up exchange of ideas and cuts down duplication.

There is a need for collaboration between academia and small biotech sector to draw some of the best scientists towards drug development or therapies. Most of all, creating a stable working environment is critical for the success of a small biotech. With that in place, true science-based therapies emerge. Funding basic research is absolutely essential but utilizing that knowledge for a cure is even more important. What good are thousands of papers on PD for me if I cannot hold one in my hand and read it?

Yes, Its time to reevaluate the status of research and as Katie Hood already said............- before medical research slams into the wall."[/I]

Girija

ys