Open Source drug discovery: a revolutionary paradigm or a Utopian model?

Abstract

Introduction The success of Open Source software has attracted much attention and the applicability of Open Source models in non-software contexts has been proposed as an alternative innovation model and as a solution to some of the problems with the current intellectual property system. In recent years the applicability of Open Source models for drug discovery and development has been discussed in academic literature. Although there is much scepticism about the proposal to extend Open Source models/licences to non-software contexts, there is a growing interest in applying them in fields like biology and biotechnology, partly because of the success of non-proprietary initiatives like the SNP Consortium and the HapMap project and also because of initiatives like BIOS. In this chapter it is suggested that Open Source drug discovery (‘OSDD’) is a workable idea that deserves support to enable it to be tested in the real world. It is also contended that OSDD can be used with other initiatives to overcome the twin problems of access and affordability, although at this time one cannot assert that OSDD is always compatible with other proposals. Finally, OSDD is no panacea for all of the problems with pharmaceutical innovation, access and affordability. Its potential is untested but in the long run it may emerge as a workable model in drug discovery for neglected diseases and as a framework that is well suited for co-operation among developing countries in finding cures for diseases in those countries.