Pharma Research almost Not-For-Profit

Sascha Karberg reports in Financial Times Deutschland (4.7.2006) about a cooperation of the British Wellcome Trust and company Novartis to develop drugs against malaria. The project is remakable because generally the big pharma companies don't engage in disease of the poor -- most people affected with malaria live in the developing countries and have no money for the drugs. But Novartis realized that its researchers feel bound to the demands of society (not only making money and boosting shareholder value) and seek for societal relevant research. Hence, to make Novartis attractive for the best scientists it engages with the Wellcome Trust in malaria research. The Trust already pumped hugh amounts of money into malaria research with high quality output but poor realization in drugs. Hence, Novartis shall take the development and business part.