Policy Brief 8, April 2012

The current incentive-based model of pharmaceutical R&D has failed to make needed medicines available to a large number of people, especially those living in developing countries. This Policy Brief recognizes the urgent need of shifting from the incentive-based model of R&D to a model that effectively promotes not only innovation but more importantly access to medicines, particularly for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries.

Research Paper 43, March 2012

This paper examines possible modalities of collaboration for research and development (R&D), understood as comprehensive of scientific studies and of activities for the generation of new processes and products and the improvement of existing ones . It briefly discusses, first, the various sources of technology for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. Second, the paper examines different elements relevant for fostering cooperation in R&D and the modalities that such cooperation may adopt, having in view experiences made in other areas of science and technology. Finally, an analysis of the cooperative model used to promote the development and diffusion of seeds in the ‘green revolution’ is presented, with the aim of exploring its possible applicability to the case of environmentally sound technologies.