Difference between revisions of "Team:Sydney Australia/Applied Design"
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| − | + | <h1>The Issue</h1> | |
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<h4>The price of insulin is too high for many across the globe. For type I diabetics, who must take insulin every day to survive, and roughly 30% of type II diabetics, this issue constrains their quality of life. Worse still, diagnosis of diabetes is on the rise. <br> | <h4>The price of insulin is too high for many across the globe. For type I diabetics, who must take insulin every day to survive, and roughly 30% of type II diabetics, this issue constrains their quality of life. Worse still, diagnosis of diabetes is on the rise. <br> | ||
Currently 92% of the insulin market is produced by 3 pharmaceutical companies. In economics, this kind of market share is called an oligopoly. In these kinds of markets, generic or biosimilar insulins have a hard time breaking through, simply due to the enormity of market share that the other three own. <br> | Currently 92% of the insulin market is produced by 3 pharmaceutical companies. In economics, this kind of market share is called an oligopoly. In these kinds of markets, generic or biosimilar insulins have a hard time breaking through, simply due to the enormity of market share that the other three own. <br> | ||
| − | To make things just a little more difficult, clinical trial expenses and regulatory licensing means that very few small to medium sized manufacturing plants can enter the market. Because of these constraints, the insulin market has spiraled out, and as such, insulin is largely unaffordable and inaccessible across the board.</h4 | + | To make things just a little more difficult, clinical trial expenses and regulatory licensing means that very few small to medium sized manufacturing plants can enter the market. Because of these constraints, the insulin market has spiraled out, and as such, insulin is largely unaffordable and inaccessible across the board.</h4> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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| − | + | <h1>Potential Solutions</h1> | |
<div class = "box2"> | <div class = "box2"> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
| − | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/f/f5/T--Sydney_Australia--applieddesignmatrix.png" class="img-center" style="height:550px"> | |
<br> | <br> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="col-xs-6"> | <div class="col-xs-6"> | ||
<div class="small"> | <div class="small"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>1. PUBLIC TRADING SCHEME</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="col-xs-6"> | <div class="col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <div class="small1" | + | <div class="small1"> <h6><b>2. OPEN-SOURCE INSULIN PUMP</b></h6> </div> |
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="small2"> | <div class="small2"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>3. STANDARD BUSINESS MODEL</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small3"> | <div class="small3"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>4. PRIVATE INVESTMENT</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small4"> | <div class="small4"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>5. BATHTUB INSULIN</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small5"> | <div class="small5"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>6. PUBLIC INVESTMENT</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small6"> | <div class="small6"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>7. GENE THERAPY</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small7"> | <div class="small7"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>8. GUT BACTERIA INSULIN</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small8"> | <div class="small8"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>9. ANIMAL<br>INSULIN</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="col-md-6"> | <div class="col-md-6"> | ||
<div class="small9"> | <div class="small9"> | ||
| − | + | <h6><b>10.BLACK MARKET<br>INSULIN</b></h6> </div> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="boxes"> | <div class="boxes"> | ||
<div class="box-content" id="info"> | <div class="box-content" id="info"> | ||
| − | <h2 class="tag-title" | + | <h2 class="tag-title"> Find out More Info About these Solutions By Clicking on Their Box! </h2> |
<p></p> | <p></p> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
| − | <h4>Rather than a single entity attempting to build a factory, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the manufacturing of open-source medication. This could be done through a few other options, like designing a public stock exchange for investment into manufacturing plants. The scheme could provide a return on investment following drug approval, investors receive their money from dividends</h4 | + | <h4>Rather than a single entity attempting to build a factory, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the manufacturing of open-source medication. This could be done through a few other options, like designing a public stock exchange for investment into manufacturing plants. The scheme could provide a return on investment following drug approval, investors receive their money from dividends</h4> |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | <div class = "col-xs-6"><h3 | + | <div class = "col-xs-6"><h3> ISSUES <br></h3> |
<h4> <ul> | <h4> <ul> | ||
<li>Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market. </il> | <li>Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market. </il> | ||
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<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4> Insulin pumps have been designed already to remove the need of needle injections following meals by diabtetics. These pumps however have been designed to service just a single companies insulin, which means that your insulin determines the pump you are on. Recently, there has been a calling for an open source insulin pump which is universal to all insulins. Furthermore, continuous glucose monitoring systems, which has recently become an open source system, could be integrated in with the insulin pump to remove all day to day stresses of blood glucose levels. </h4> | <h4> Insulin pumps have been designed already to remove the need of needle injections following meals by diabtetics. These pumps however have been designed to service just a single companies insulin, which means that your insulin determines the pump you are on. Recently, there has been a calling for an open source insulin pump which is universal to all insulins. Furthermore, continuous glucose monitoring systems, which has recently become an open source system, could be integrated in with the insulin pump to remove all day to day stresses of blood glucose levels. </h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>The technology could be modified to serve the whims of a totalitarian regime…however this is the case with all science these days.</li> | <li>The technology could be modified to serve the whims of a totalitarian regime…however this is the case with all science these days.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Following a standard business model, a patented insulin could be taken to market following relevant clinical trials completed. Upscale procedures would also need to be completed to ensure efficiency and meet cost-effective price points. The business could either license a current up and running manufacturing plant to produce the insulin, OR could set up a manufacturing plant themselves to produce any produces. If the later option were chosen, manufacturing plant Good Manufacturing Practice licenses would be needed. </h4> | <h4>Following a standard business model, a patented insulin could be taken to market following relevant clinical trials completed. Upscale procedures would also need to be completed to ensure efficiency and meet cost-effective price points. The business could either license a current up and running manufacturing plant to produce the insulin, OR could set up a manufacturing plant themselves to produce any produces. If the later option were chosen, manufacturing plant Good Manufacturing Practice licenses would be needed. </h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul><li>Likely need about US$200m for a medium-scale facility.</li> | <h4><ul><li>Likely need about US$200m for a medium-scale facility.</li> | ||
<li>Initial investment will leave manufacturer vulnerable to a price war if price drops suddenly.</li> | <li>Initial investment will leave manufacturer vulnerable to a price war if price drops suddenly.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>We could rethinking the road to market for open-source medicine. Rather than a single entity attempting to get approval for a patent, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the clinical trials of open-source medication. Public stock exchange for investment in the approval of open-source medication. Once the drug is approved, investors receive their money + dividend from manufacturers.</h4> | <h4>We could rethinking the road to market for open-source medicine. Rather than a single entity attempting to get approval for a patent, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the clinical trials of open-source medication. Public stock exchange for investment in the approval of open-source medication. Once the drug is approved, investors receive their money + dividend from manufacturers.</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market.</li> | <li>Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Bathtub insulin would provide small-scale insulin manufacturing and purification equipment to local doctors in developing nations. The idea is, that using bathtubs, insulin could be purified through a grass-roots approach from local doctors. This system would provide suitable training to other skilled medical professionals in order to create a grassroots pharmaceutical industry in developing nations.</h4> | <h4>Bathtub insulin would provide small-scale insulin manufacturing and purification equipment to local doctors in developing nations. The idea is, that using bathtubs, insulin could be purified through a grass-roots approach from local doctors. This system would provide suitable training to other skilled medical professionals in order to create a grassroots pharmaceutical industry in developing nations.</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Regulatory and Safety Nightmare. Puts way too many people at unnecessary risk.</li> | <li>Regulatory and Safety Nightmare. Puts way too many people at unnecessary risk.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Convincing public entities such as the Chinese, Indian or US government to invest in insulin manufacturing and purification facilities. This could fall under the normal grant scheme, or through a newly designed investment scheme. This could be further enhanced by creating investment initiative programs, such as ‘matching’ any investment in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient manufacturing plant makes.</h4> | <h4>Convincing public entities such as the Chinese, Indian or US government to invest in insulin manufacturing and purification facilities. This could fall under the normal grant scheme, or through a newly designed investment scheme. This could be further enhanced by creating investment initiative programs, such as ‘matching’ any investment in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient manufacturing plant makes.</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Capitalist governments are often reticent to invest in public infrastructure due to current economic theory.</li> | <li>Capitalist governments are often reticent to invest in public infrastructure due to current economic theory.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Generally, when we think of pharmaceutical solutions, its generally to elevate symptoms. Very rarely do we come up with an effective cure. In the case of diabetes, we could be able to edit the genome to hopefully cure it once and for all. Recently, there have been developments in the field towards this end(2)</h4> | <h4>Generally, when we think of pharmaceutical solutions, its generally to elevate symptoms. Very rarely do we come up with an effective cure. In the case of diabetes, we could be able to edit the genome to hopefully cure it once and for all. Recently, there have been developments in the field towards this end(2)</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>The true solution to Diabetes is a cure, rather than endless treatment.</li> | <li>The true solution to Diabetes is a cure, rather than endless treatment.</li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Utilising a naturally occurring human gut bacteria to secrete insulin in the gut, to be exported to the blood stream for distribution following meals. This system would hope to remove the need of daily injections and glucose blood sugar monitoring all together.</h4> | <h4>Utilising a naturally occurring human gut bacteria to secrete insulin in the gut, to be exported to the blood stream for distribution following meals. This system would hope to remove the need of daily injections and glucose blood sugar monitoring all together.</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Difficult to match rate of secretion to the requirements of the body. </li> | <li>Difficult to match rate of secretion to the requirements of the body. </li> | ||
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<div class = "row"> | <div class = "row"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>Returning to older animal insulins to supply developing nations with cheap insulin. This would involve running an animals blood through a form of dialysis to purify the insulin out for human use.</h4> | <h4>Returning to older animal insulins to supply developing nations with cheap insulin. This would involve running an animals blood through a form of dialysis to purify the insulin out for human use.</h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Higher rate of allergy to animal insulins than regular human insulin.</li> | <li>Higher rate of allergy to animal insulins than regular human insulin.</li> | ||
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<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> BACKGROUND<br></h3> |
<h4>We could potentially go rogue from the normal entry to market options and start producing insulin on the black market. This option would not require any approval processes for processes used to make insulin, and could be sold online through trading sites such as Ali Baba. Regulatory oversight wouldn't’t be used either. </h4> | <h4>We could potentially go rogue from the normal entry to market options and start producing insulin on the black market. This option would not require any approval processes for processes used to make insulin, and could be sold online through trading sites such as Ali Baba. Regulatory oversight wouldn't’t be used either. </h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-6"> | <div class = "col-xs-6"> | ||
| − | <h3 | + | <h3> ISSUES </h3> |
<h4><ul> | <h4><ul> | ||
<li>Will put patients at serious risk if Good Manufacturing Practice is not met.</li> | <li>Will put patients at serious risk if Good Manufacturing Practice is not met.</li> | ||
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<div class="row"> | <div class="row"> | ||
<div class="content" id="please"> | <div class="content" id="please"> | ||
| − | + | <h1>Our Solution</h1> | |
<div class = "box3"> | <div class = "box3"> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class = "content" id ="please"> | <div class = "content" id ="please"> | ||
<div class = "col-xs-12"> | <div class = "col-xs-12"> | ||
| − | <h4 | + | <h4> In light of all of these potential solutions, we have had to formulate our own decisions as to how we should |
<ol> <li>Approach the issue as a whole, and </li> | <ol> <li>Approach the issue as a whole, and </li> | ||
<li>How to bring our solution to fruition.</li></ol> | <li>How to bring our solution to fruition.</li></ol> | ||
| Line 1,029: | Line 1,029: | ||
We have specifically designed our expression systems such that there are three locations where the insulin will be accumulated. In E coli, we have insulin being accumulated in the cytoplasm and periplasm. In Bacillus, we hope to be able to purify straight from the media from secretory accumulation of Insulin. Through these methods we should be able to compare easily which worked, and which didn’t, and then the associated purification methods which simplified the process. <br> | We have specifically designed our expression systems such that there are three locations where the insulin will be accumulated. In E coli, we have insulin being accumulated in the cytoplasm and periplasm. In Bacillus, we hope to be able to purify straight from the media from secretory accumulation of Insulin. Through these methods we should be able to compare easily which worked, and which didn’t, and then the associated purification methods which simplified the process. <br> | ||
Furthermore, we have designed our own single chain insulin to help remove a lot of the post-purification methods associated with getting insulin into its active form. A series of di-sulphide bonds make it quite difficult to fold properly within bacterial cells. On top of that, for Proinsulin to become Insulin, the C-chain must be removed. So, we’ve designed a single chain insulin with a small C chain linker which doesn’t need to be removed, and should also position the A and B chains more favorably to form the di-sulphides correctly. | Furthermore, we have designed our own single chain insulin to help remove a lot of the post-purification methods associated with getting insulin into its active form. A series of di-sulphide bonds make it quite difficult to fold properly within bacterial cells. On top of that, for Proinsulin to become Insulin, the C-chain must be removed. So, we’ve designed a single chain insulin with a small C chain linker which doesn’t need to be removed, and should also position the A and B chains more favorably to form the di-sulphides correctly. | ||
| − | Our solution is by no means in isolation of other options also. Further down the track, following scaling up our production schemes, considerable efforts will be put into developing an open source pump to go alongside the insulins we have developed. Further efforts will then be put on to manufacturing contracts with medium-large scale plants to start pumping insulin out globally. On the side, efforts will also be put towards developing a gene therapy to ultimately cure diabetes in the mean time. | + | Our solution is by no means in isolation of other options also. Further down the track, following scaling up our production schemes, considerable efforts will be put into developing an open source pump to go alongside the insulins we have developed. Further efforts will then be put on to manufacturing contracts with medium-large scale plants to start pumping insulin out globally. On the side, efforts will also be put towards developing a gene therapy to ultimately cure diabetes in the mean time. |
</h4> | </h4> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="row"> | <div class="row"> | ||
<div class="content" id="please"> | <div class="content" id="please"> | ||
| − | + | <h1>References</h1> | |
<div class = "box4"> | <div class = "box4"> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 02:55, 30 October 2017
The Issue
The price of insulin is too high for many across the globe. For type I diabetics, who must take insulin every day to survive, and roughly 30% of type II diabetics, this issue constrains their quality of life. Worse still, diagnosis of diabetes is on the rise.
Currently 92% of the insulin market is produced by 3 pharmaceutical companies. In economics, this kind of market share is called an oligopoly. In these kinds of markets, generic or biosimilar insulins have a hard time breaking through, simply due to the enormity of market share that the other three own.
To make things just a little more difficult, clinical trial expenses and regulatory licensing means that very few small to medium sized manufacturing plants can enter the market. Because of these constraints, the insulin market has spiraled out, and as such, insulin is largely unaffordable and inaccessible across the board.
Barriers
Click on the Segments in the Pie Chart to learn about the barriers to enter the insulin market.
Technical Barriers to Entry
In the current manufacturing world, recombinant methods are seen as difficult and time intensive. As a result of this, many avoid using recombinant technologies for therapeutic production regimes.
Legal Barriers to Entry
It took our iGEM team a full couple of months before we were comfortable to say that we had a new insulin to add to the market. We were also able to utilize expertise to navigate through the legal sphere, which greatly aided our process. In general though, due to the number of analogue insulins under patent, its very difficult to ‘create’ a new insulin.
Market Barriers to Entry
Every 5 years, the Australian governments Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme undergoes negotiation with the respective manufacturing plants and suppliers to discuss price points for that period.
This system ultimately favours highly established, elite market players with the market scale to supply an entire region.
Cost Barriers to Entry
When people say ‘nothing comes cheap,’ they’re really talking about drug development. To say its expensive really undermines the meaning of expensive. Clinical trials generally cost around US$1 Billion to start with. Production plants for insulin manufacturing can fall anywhere between US$100-$500M, and then a license can cost up to another US$100M. Understandably, these costs limit majority of the wishful market entrants.
Potential Solutions
1. PUBLIC TRADING SCHEME
2. OPEN-SOURCE INSULIN PUMP
3. STANDARD BUSINESS MODEL
4. PRIVATE INVESTMENT
5. BATHTUB INSULIN
6. PUBLIC INVESTMENT
7. GENE THERAPY
8. GUT BACTERIA INSULIN
9. ANIMAL
INSULIN
10.BLACK MARKET
INSULIN
Find out More Info About these Solutions By Clicking on Their Box!
1. Public Trading Scheme
BACKGROUND
Rather than a single entity attempting to build a factory, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the manufacturing of open-source medication. This could be done through a few other options, like designing a public stock exchange for investment into manufacturing plants. The scheme could provide a return on investment following drug approval, investors receive their money from dividends
ISSUES
- Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market.
- Return on investment must be less than the current return on IP earned by pharmaceutical entities (else the price of drugs will increase)
- These two points together suggests that the biosimilar market would be ideal for testing this business model, as no novel applications are involved.
2. Open-Source Insulin Pump / Cloud Monitoring
BACKGROUND
Insulin pumps have been designed already to remove the need of needle injections following meals by diabtetics. These pumps however have been designed to service just a single companies insulin, which means that your insulin determines the pump you are on. Recently, there has been a calling for an open source insulin pump which is universal to all insulins. Furthermore, continuous glucose monitoring systems, which has recently become an open source system, could be integrated in with the insulin pump to remove all day to day stresses of blood glucose levels.
ISSUES
- The technology could be modified to serve the whims of a totalitarian regime…however this is the case with all science these days.
- Doesn’t really impact any issues of inaccessibility to insulin felt by a large portion of diabetic globally on its own.
- Insulin pumps are specialized for a single insulin, which also means that a specific insulin would need to be designed for it. Unless of course the pump could be designed to universal, but we are unsure as to how this would work.
- These insulin pumps are extremely complex medical device, may have to be reverse engineered with long term patents still covering a significant portion of these technologies.
3. Standart Business Model
BACKGROUND
Following a standard business model, a patented insulin could be taken to market following relevant clinical trials completed. Upscale procedures would also need to be completed to ensure efficiency and meet cost-effective price points. The business could either license a current up and running manufacturing plant to produce the insulin, OR could set up a manufacturing plant themselves to produce any produces. If the later option were chosen, manufacturing plant Good Manufacturing Practice licenses would be needed.
ISSUES
- Likely need about US$200m for a medium-scale facility.
- Initial investment will leave manufacturer vulnerable to a price war if price drops suddenly.
- Good Manufacturing Practice licenses would cost around US$100M
4. Private Investment
BACKGROUND
We could rethinking the road to market for open-source medicine. Rather than a single entity attempting to get approval for a patent, allow individuals and businesses to invest in the clinical trials of open-source medication. Public stock exchange for investment in the approval of open-source medication. Once the drug is approved, investors receive their money + dividend from manufacturers.
ISSUES
- Return on investment must scale the with relative risk of the medicine’s chance of making it to market.
- Return on investment must be less than the current return on IP earned by pharmaceutical entities (else the price of drugs will increase).
- These two points together suggests that the biosimilar market would be ideal for testing this business model, as no novel applications are involved.
5. Bathtub Insulin
BACKGROUND
Bathtub insulin would provide small-scale insulin manufacturing and purification equipment to local doctors in developing nations. The idea is, that using bathtubs, insulin could be purified through a grass-roots approach from local doctors. This system would provide suitable training to other skilled medical professionals in order to create a grassroots pharmaceutical industry in developing nations.
ISSUES
- Regulatory and Safety Nightmare. Puts way too many people at unnecessary risk.
- Considering economies of scale, it may be worth skipping this entirely and focusing on large-scale manufacturing projects in newly industrialised nations.
- The profits will not benefit developing nations, but the industry efficiency would hopefully mean that they gain access to more affordable insulin.
- The profits will not benefit developing nations, but the industry efficiency would hopefully mean that they gain access to more affordable insulin.
6. Public Investment
BACKGROUND
Convincing public entities such as the Chinese, Indian or US government to invest in insulin manufacturing and purification facilities. This could fall under the normal grant scheme, or through a newly designed investment scheme. This could be further enhanced by creating investment initiative programs, such as ‘matching’ any investment in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient manufacturing plant makes.
ISSUES
- Capitalist governments are often reticent to invest in public infrastructure due to current economic theory.
- However, John Maynard Keynes1 would argue that this is an excellent way to create economic growth.
- Socialist governments (e.g. CCP) would also require significant lobbying in order to convince the right people that investment is important.
- However, John Maynard Keynes1 would argue that this is an excellent way to create economic growth.
