Academic versus industry-driven research in upper gastrointestinal cancer: Sinners and saints

摘要

Pharmaceutical companies, like other commercial entities, must generate profit. It is, therefore, conceivable, even if operating in the health sector, that their attitude is basically defined by market shares and benefits. The investment costs for drug development are huge, many products do not penetrate the market, and for the happy few that do succeed, patent duration is short. As a consequence, in recent years, speediness and 'therapeutic niches'-oriented designs became essential components of new drugs registration trials. This evolution is highly debated in the medical community.