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The cancer megafund: determinants of success

Nature Biotechnology volume 31, pages 492–494 (2013)Cite this article

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To the Editor:

As a practicing neurosurgical oncologist, my primary interest in improving the quality and efficiency of biomedical research is unambiguous: I want access to novel and effective diagnostic techniques and therapeutic modalities that allow me to enhance the management and outcomes of my patients, and I want them in my armamentarium as of yesterday. As a translational investigator, however, I recognize how challenging it can be to walk the path from a creative hypothesis to an effective new diagnosis and treatment. Some of this difficulty is related to the inherent complexity of modern diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, which mandates that considerable time and effort be dedicated to R&D to demonstrate and verify the safety and efficacy of a new biomedical agent or technology. However, one of the most significant current barriers to the efficient development of actionable translational innovation is extrinsic to this complexity and is entirely artificial. This constraining force is the traditional system by which translational biomedical research is financed. Viable alternative funding strategies are desperately needed.

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References

  1. Fernandez, J.-M., Stein, R.M. & Lo, A.W. Nat. Biotechnol. 30, 964–975 (2012).

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  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Nicholas F Marko

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  1. Nicholas F Marko
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Correspondence to Nicholas F Marko.

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Marko, N. The cancer megafund: determinants of success. Nat Biotechnol 31, 492–494 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2603

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