Hunt for New Targets

New disease-specific, validated targets are needed. We have mentioned before that oncology is rich in targets. This is neither an accident nor a surprise. It is rich in targets because there is so much basic research. An estimated 10.7 billion is being spent annually on basic research by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) ( 5.5 billion). Big Pharma ( 4.0 billion), and Biotech ( 1.2 billion). Oncology is probably the only area of research where Pharma does not outspend the public. 

Radiation and chemotherapy continue to be the workhorses of oncological treatment for surgically unapproachable tumors. By working on pathways that are related to loss of control of cell growth, one hopes to discover targets that may be as generic to different cancer types as radiation is. 

Of course, another reason why treatment for some diseases remains elusive is that the Pharma industry does suffer from risk aversion exacerbated by prior failures. After 30 failed trials, there are currently few and far between stroke trials. 

Why Are So Many Candida ES Lost What Can We Do with Them  

There is something that society, legislators, the FDA, and drug companies can do. It would take a lot of negotiation, however, since it would rely on altruism rather than a pure profit motive. The selection criteria for clinical candidates are so tough that, within a drug company, even good candidates do not get a chance to fail they are dropped prior to failure, sometimes even before any suspicion of prospective failure. 

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