1. ¹Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Center on Health and the Social Sciences, Program on Pharmaceutical Policy, Cancer Research Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
2. ²Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, Center on Health and the Social Sciences, Program on Pharmaceutical Policy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
3. ³Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Cancer Research Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Correspondence: RM Conti, (rconti@uchicago.edu)

Abstract

Nonprofit biomedical firms are an integrated market-based solution to improve incentives for investment in promising scientific areas that have high social value but minimal potential for profit. We briefly review the current market with an emphasis on the financing of innovative product development and propose ideas for new nonprofit companies centered on the health concerns of developed countries. We conclude with a suggestion that opportunities exist for nonprofit firms focused on cancer diagnostics, given the limitations of current financing incentives and ripe scientific opportunity.