<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: Remembra (page 1 of 2) Dr. Zhivago, in NIH supported research, made remarkable progress in memory studies by identifying a new receptor "C" responsible for instilling and preserving memories. In mice and rats substantial improvements in memory were produced in a short time as demonstrated by performance studies. Activating C in monkeys permitted substantial acceleration in achieving cognitive skills and great enhancement in cognitive capability. Zhivago approached her institution's Office of Technology to arrange for patent and licensing. The University had just established a research incubator to carry its inventions to a more advanced stage so that it would be able to retain a greater portion of the financial benefits to come from the products of discovery. The Office of Technology suggested that Zhivago establish a company with the university to exploit her discovery and develop small molecule receptor agonists for use in treating certain forms of mental retardation as well as Alzheimer's and other disorders. Neither Zhivago, nor the university officials were unaware of the fact that once approved, the agonists would most likely be taken by normal persons to augment their intellectual capabilities. Zhivago was told that the university would advance up to 1 million dollars of its endowment on this company and that as funding requirements grew, depending on the situation, either more new funds would be allocated or venture capitalists would be invited to invest. Zhivago, figuring that if she reduced her clinical burden and got out of teaching, which were easily arranged, she could spare 30% of time for this project and suggested to her senior technician Anna Karenina that she take a job at the new company, LEARN, with a significant salary increase, and manage the practical details of creating C-receptor agonists under Zhivago's direction. When the time came, Zhivago would test her drug first in mentally retarded children, her specialty. Dr. Zhivago delayed publication of her discovery for four months in order to accomplish the patent and license work. Upon learning of the discovery, a couple of very large drug companies with an interest in mental health volunteered financial support for priority in the bidding for the new agent when it was developed. The entire university leadership was highly attuned to this activity as the result of their big stake in the outcome. Zhivago found that it was very difficult to recruit someone as effective as Anna to run her lab where she was expected to continue to perform at a high intellectual level. Zhivago found that she needed a lot of assistance with designing, synthesizing and testing CR agonists. Pharmacologists from the university were asked to help and they asked for equity in return. The Pharmacologists were knowledgeable but unwilling to commit enough time to oversee the effort. << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 4 Quick Links Conflicts of Interest (COI) Definitions Consequences of a COI Government Intervention Industry Sponsorship Professional Societies Clinical Practice Guidelines Other Initiatives COI in Financial Consulting Cases Bibliography Chapter 4 Download (PDF)