The promise of crowdfunding to finance R&D of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for incurable diseases. Issue 10 (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tóth, Gergely; Nguyen, Jade Bao Ngoc; Benazzouz, Mohamed Safouane; Chaves, Maria Monteiro Paiva; Grill, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Drug discovery today. Volume 26:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 2205
• Page End: 2208
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Incurable disease -- Underfunded disease -- Drug discovery -- Drug development -- R&D -- Biotechnology -- Crowdfunding -- Finance -- Alzheimer's disease -- Parkinson's disease -- Start-up -- Early-stage biotech; Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Research -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.04.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6446

Abstract

Highlights: The crowdfunding ecosystem has not been exploited to its full potential to support the R&D of diagnostics (D) and therapeutics (T) for underfunded incurable diseases. Crowdfunding is particularly promising to finance early stage biotech companies focused on R&D of D&T for underfunded incurable diseases. The crowdfunding ecosystem needs further evolution in which crowdfunding platforms should ensure scientific legitimacy to their campaigns. Investing into efforts to educate patients, researchers and business professionals about the prospective of crowdfunding is an important endeavour. Abstract: The level of funding available for research and development (R&D) of diagnostics (D) and therapeutics (T) for incurable diseases varies and is not associated with the extent of their disease burden. Crowdfunding is a promising way to increase funding for R&D of D&T for underfunded incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, which has not been exploited to its full capacity. Investing into efforts to educate patients and researchers about its prospective is a worthwhile endeavor, which could lead to the generation of substantial new capital to finance the development of novel therapeutics for these diseases.