Several initiatives in the public and non-profit sectors seek new ways of discovering, developing, and manufacturing a broad range of medicines and medical products. These initiatives include repurposing (generic) drugs, collaborative platforms, public-private partnerships, patient and clinician-led development of medicines, and public-sector manufacturing. They often target tropical diseases, (ultra) rare conditions, and other areas of high need, such as anti-microbial resistance.

Date: Monday 15 July 2024, 10:00-17:00 CET,

The idea of a “mixed economy of pharmaceutical innovation” highlights these alternative models, multiple systems, and different economies complementary to the ‘mainstream’ pharmaceutical industry. These initiatives do not directly compete with industry in creating novel therapies but primarily seek to ensure access to medicines for all.

Public policy should actively support the creation of alternative models, sometimes labelled ‘social pharmaceutical innovations’ (SPINs), and thus advance a mixed economy. Developing such policies requires a focused discussion of critical issues, including:

1) Funding – Developing new models of circular or sustainable funding for non-profit or low-margin commercial innovation is critical to support a vibrant third sector. How can we go beyond a reliance on philanthropy and government research funding in the long run?

2) Procurement – Many health care systems have rigid drug pricing policies that make it hard to differentially price repurposed drugs or support public-sector manufacturing. What new payment systems could be introduced to support alternative innovation models?

3) Regulation – There are many regulatory barriers to non-commercial actors holding marketing authorisation or supporting late-stage drug development. These barriers include liability and data collection concerns. What novel institutional mechanisms may address these issues?

4) Collaboration – New models of innovation require important changes in the relationship between the public/non-profit and private sectors in the division of responsibilities and benefit sharing. How can a new social contract be negotiated that supports public health-driven innovation while incentivising private investment in lower-cost drug development?

The workshop will feature panel discussions, case study presentations, and plenty of opportunities for constructive dialogue and networking. We are delighted to have a number of great speakers already confirmed, including Saco de Visser, Donald Lo, Jon de Vlieger, Michael Hopkins, Susi Geiger, Ellen Moors, Els Torreele, and Roz Scourse from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

This workshop is supported by EATRIS, Future Affordable Sustainable Therapies, and Lygature and sponsored by Social Pharmaceutical Innovation (SPIN), Utrecht University, iHuman, University of Sheffield, and MISFIRES, University College Dublin.

For more information contact Tineke (tineke.kleinhout-vliek@ucd.ie) or Paul (paul.martin@sheffield.ac.uk). We look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam!

Best wishes,

Tineke Kleinhout-Vliek, University College Dublin
Paul Martin, University of Sheffield
Wouter Boon, Utrecht University