The GeneXpert diagnostic testing technology from the US corporation Cepheid, and its parent company Danaher, has revolutionised rapid, accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases, since entering the market in 2010. Yet, due to the high cost of the GeneXpert test cartridges, many countries are not able to scale up testing for all people who need lifesaving diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Clinical trials are widely accepted as the most expensive part of the medical innovation cycle and therefore likely make up a significant portion of total R&D costs. But there is no transparency around the actual costs of clinical ...
Pharmaceutical corporations’ top priority is making shareholders happy. So if a medicine, test or vaccine won’t earn big money or boost stock prices, it might not get made. No matter how badly it’s needed.