兰德-The-Structural-Genomics-Consortium_-A-knowledge-platform-for-drug-discovery_116页_1mb

Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) Evaluation Summary

Core Content

The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) is an open access public-private partnership (PPP) established in 2004, with a primary focus on pre-competitive structural biology research—specifically, the determination of 3D protein structures. Over time, the SGC has expanded its scope to include chemical probes, antibodies, and epigenetics research. The report presents an independent evaluation of the SGC, conducted by RAND Europe and the Institute on Governance, commissioned by the SGC to inform its next phase of funding.

Main Objectives

The evaluation aimed to:

• Assess the merits of the SGC's open access model compared to alternative R&D funding models.
• Evaluate the past and current performance of the SGC.
• Identify key trade-offs and limitations for future development.
• Determine if funders are anticipating changes in the SGC or the broader PPP landscape.
• Analyze external trends and opportunities that could influence the SGC's future.

Key Findings

SGC as a Model for Investing in Knowledge

• Incentives for Investment:

  • Open Access: Makes the SGC unique, enabling broader societal benefits, efficient collaboration, and reproducible science.
  • Collaborative Research: Facilitates access to a global network of structural biology expertise.
  • De-risking: Helps reduce risks in new scientific areas, especially in epigenetics.
  • Rapid and Efficient Research: SGC processes are seen as faster than traditional academic or industrial models.
  • Industrial Focus: Aligns with commercial goals, such as drug discovery and reproducible science.

• Disincentives for Investment:

  • Unprotected Intellectual Property: Concerns about the lack of IP protection for SGC research.
  • Limited Spillover Effects: Perceived limited economic and societal benefits for the wider community.
  • Diluted Mission: The SGC's mission has become more diffuse over time, which may affect its focus and effectiveness.

SGC as a Model for Generating Knowledge

• Strengths:

  • Collaboration and Networks: Enables strong academic-industry partnerships and avoids duplication of effort.
  • Rapid Outputs: High-quality research and publications are produced quickly due to integrated approaches and open access.
  • Industrial Model: Features milestones, targets, and a commitment to reproducibility, enhancing efficiency.
  • Scalability: Access to diverse expertise and resources allows for large-scale research that small labs cannot achieve.

• Weaknesses:

  • Too Many Collaborators: May hinder focused scientific progress.
  • Professional Development Gaps: Limited opportunities for SGC researchers' career growth.
  • Departure from Core: Some stakeholders feel the SGC has moved too far from its original structural biology focus.
  • Resource Constraints: Insufficient funding and support for future expansion.

SGC as a Model for Extracting Value from Knowledge

• Outcomes:

  • The SGC has contributed to significant scientific outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, protein structures, and chemical probes.
  • These outputs have had positive impacts on both the research community and the public sector, including policy influence and technological development.
  • The SGC has been able to secure funding and maintain partnerships despite challenges.

• Impacts:

  • The SGC has influenced policymaking and public health through its open science model.
  • It has also created value for the private sector by enabling drug discovery and reducing research risks.
  • The model is seen as innovative and sustainable, especially in a field facing a pharmaceutical R&D crisis.

Key Trends and Opportunities

• The SGC is part of a global trend towards open innovation in drug discovery.
• There is a growing interest in pre-competitive research across sectors.
• The SGC's open access model is well-suited for structural biology and epigenetics.
• The public sector plays a crucial role in maintaining the SGC's open and innovative nature.
• Funding sustainability is a major concern, with a shift from public to private funding.

Future Considerations

• The SGC is entering its third funding phase, ending in June 2015.
• The report outlines four scenarios for the future of the SGC:
  • Maximising science.
  • Maximising return for industry.
  • Maximising the 'good news' story.
  • Maximising benefits for the UK/Canada.
• The next phase (Phase IV) will likely depend on funding availability, external trends, and internal changes.
• There is a need to redefine the SGC's mission and maintain a balance between public and private interests.

Conclusion

The SGC has demonstrated significant value in advancing structural biology and drug discovery through its open access, collaborative, and industrialized model. While it has strengths in efficiency, innovation, and reproducibility, it also faces challenges related to funding, mission focus, and spillover effects. The report suggests that the SGC has the potential to continue influencing scientific and commercial innovation, but its future success will depend on sustained funding, clear strategic direction, and continued collaboration.