As part of a German-Indo collaboration, researchers from the Helmholtz Centre in Braunschweig, Germany, have shared a process to make a much cheaper version of insulin. Published in the online research magazine 'Microbial Cell Factories,' the open-source drug-making process is freely accessible and is not subject to patent law.
This is the second time the government-backed group has posted an open-source drug-making process online: an alternative protocol for the development of a hepatitis B vaccine was posted last year.
Implications - This open-source drug-making process really does lower production costs in a pretty significant way. Medicine for most most middle class people is far too expensive. This innovation can really help remove the barrier that currently exists around access to medication in this country.
Affordable Generic Drug Technology
Open-Source Drug-Making Process Lowers Production Costs
Trend Themes
1. Open-source Drug-making - The open-source drug-making process could disrupt the traditional pharmaceutical industry by providing an alternative to current expensive drug production methods.
2. Affordable Insulin - The development of a much cheaper version of insulin could disrupt the insulin market and provide more affordable options for patients.
3. Patent-free Drug Production - The availability of patent-free drug production processes could disrupt the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on patented drugs, potentially leading to more affordable and accessible medication options for patients.
Industry Implications
1. Pharmaceutical - The pharmaceutical industry could benefit from exploring open-source drug-making processes and patent-free drug production, potentially disrupting traditional drug production methods and increasing accessibility to medication.
2. Healthcare - The healthcare industry could benefit from the development of more affordable medication options, particularly for diseases such as diabetes that require regular use of expensive medications.
3. Medical Technology - Medical technology companies could explore the use of open-source drug-making processes to develop more affordable and accessible medication options for patients.