Seven alternative opportunities to overcome the "Valley of Death" for CNS drug candidates developed by academic researchers

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry has been facing tremendous challenges in recent years. Its Research & Development activities for innovation and drug development have significantly slowed down. Researchers in academic institutions often collaborate with pharmaceutical companies by providing them with new innovative products. However, the type of funding that they normally have access to does not ease drug development beyond discovery level. Here is a list of seven alternative opportunities that may help scientists, in North America, Europe and Asia, developing further their products and overcoming the so-called "Valley of Death". This may contribute bridging the gap between them and what Big Pharma is looking for, especially for the development of central nervous system products.