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: Open source drug discovery (OSDD) initiative of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), also known in industry circles as wiki-style of drug making, was widely expected to add a new dimension to design and development of medicines for neglected tropical diseases like tuberculosis (TB), malaria and leshmaniasis. Instead, as the initiative showed signs of gaining traction among the research community in recent months, a fierce discussion is raging in the public domain on the viability of the project, with concerns being raised that OSDD might fail.

Critics are allaying fears that the initiative could fail by means of inappropriate prioritisation of projects. It could also degenerate into a free-for-all bedlam. The initiative could remain stillborn if proper ways to implement focused and time-bound projects through the efforts of identified participants are not devised.

Most importantly, the drug companies, seen as the vital link to transform the research into meaningful products, are far from excited about the entire exercise. “At best, it is a useful learning experience for research purposes. There is no sound business model in it,” seems to be their refrain.

Moreover, there is no clarity with respect to issues such as intellectual property rights (IPR) and patents arrived from the OSDD programme. “The researched product from an open source model is bound to attract ‘copycats,’ thereby reducing our profit margins,” says an official from a leading pharmaceutical firm. “Free wiki is not a feasible model for long-term business in drug discovery,” says another pharmaceutical company’s official.

“It is relatively easy for software professionals to make the transition to open source; for the researchers, it is going to be much harder. Besides, the question foremost on our minds is this: which pharmaceutical company would go for manufacturing, which has less margins. Perhaps, this can hold true for government-owned pharmaceutical units, but may not attract the private companies,” says a leading senior scientist.

A researcher involved with the OSDD programme says, “At present, the OSDD team lacks experience in scientifically managing the project of this magnitude. Therefore, experienced scientists, along with other agencies such as the departments of biotech and science and technology should be roped in. Besides, the focus should be on drug discovery and not just developing various websites; at present, a lot of efforts are given only on website development. In addition, public-private partnerships should be encouraged and funded under the OSDD programme.”