The promise of crowdfunding to finance R&D of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for incurable diseases

Abstract

The level of funding available for research and development (R&D) of diagnostics (D) and therapeutics (T) for incurable diseases varies and is not associated with the extent of their disease burden. Crowdfunding is a promising way to increase funding for R&D of D&T for underfunded incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, which has not been exploited to its full capacity. Investing into efforts to educate patients and researchers about its prospective is a worthwhile endeavor, which could lead to the generation of substantial new capital to finance the development of novel therapeutics for these diseases.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Biotechnology; Crowdfunding; Drug development; Drug discovery; Early-stage biotech; Finance; Incurable disease; Parkinson’s disease; R&D; Start-up; Underfunded disease.