Vaccines are a bit of a different class as some are exempt from adverse reaction lawsuits and therefore risk is reduced for the companies manufacturing the vaccine.
I think your assessment that my argument is "wrong" is inappropriate. You'll see that my argument is supported by the WHO (Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2011;89:88–89).
Another reason is commercial. Antibiotics, in particular, have a poor return on investment because they are taken for a short period of time and cure their target disease. In contrast, drugs that treat chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, are taken daily for the rest of a patient’s life. “Companies have figured out that they make a lot more money selling the latter drugs than they do selling antibiotics,” Spellberg says, highlighting the lack of incentive for companies to develop antibiotics.
Fidaxo also may not be that great or cost effective[1]. Optimer, I believe has been bought by Cubist and delisted from Nasdaq. 1. Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Aug;57(4):555-61
I do know their most promising findings don't get reflected in clinical trials well. But "The Drug Companies aren't there" isn't addressed by a small drug company specializing in ID getting bought about by another drug company that has tons of ID products for half a billion dollars.
Comments
Vaccines are a bit of a different class as some are exempt from adverse reaction lawsuits and therefore risk is reduced for the companies manufacturing the vaccine.
I think your assessment that my argument is "wrong" is inappropriate. You'll see that my argument is supported by the WHO (Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2011;89:88–89).
And yet in a recent survey of drug development costs, "Difficid", by Optimer Pharmaceuticals, was one of the most inexpensive to develop.
I also really don't buy the "return on investment" argument, as curing a bacterial disease rarely provides immunity.
It's also not my experience as a researcher in the area - several drug companies are actively funding research.
Fidaxo also may not be that great or cost effective[1]. Optimer, I believe has been bought by Cubist and delisted from Nasdaq. 1. Clin Infect Dis. 2013 Aug;57(4):555-61
I do know their most promising findings don't get reflected in clinical trials well. But "The Drug Companies aren't there" isn't addressed by a small drug company specializing in ID getting bought about by another drug company that has tons of ID products for half a billion dollars.