The discovery of “pioneer medicines” (i.e. those acting via novel molecular targets) has proven to be an immensely complex, long term, expensive and high risk endeavour. Despite formidable investments by the pharmaceutical industry and public/ charitable funders, over the past few decades in both infrastructure and technology, the success rates have remained low. During his presentation, Prof. Bountra discussed ways in which we can pool resources to share risk, reduce duplication, improve translation, minimise patient harm, and help industry discover new medicines for society.
Chas Bountra is Professor of Translational Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. He is Co-Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Affordable Medicines and has been made Oxford’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor, Innovation.
translatingillness.com 