Epigenetics is a hot scientific area at the moment and ranges from fundamental science to the first drugs approved by the FDA. This analysis outlines the potential of epigenetics in terms of drug discovery within the technology, market and organisational capabilities (T-M-O) framework. This work can be qualified as original social science research within a scientific framework.The main focus lies on a consortium-type structure like the structural genomics consortium (SGC) operating both at Oxford and Toronto. The consortium links aspects from both industrial and academic efforts in drug discovery while operating as a distinct entity able to act as centralised coordinator in a platform collaboration. This work elucidates how a consortium can incentivize both academic and industrial partners to engage in open-access collaboration while insuring added value for each partner involved.The areas of focus include considerations of incremental and disruptive technology; how to claim, demarcate and control the market; how knowledge brokering occurs; and insights about process, management, organisation, and culture within the consortium.Ultimately this analysis leads to considerations on how the field of epigenetics can be the new paradigm shift in drug discovery and how, together with the innovation of consortium-based drug discovery, these two innovations may hold a promising future for novel therapies and diagnostics, and ultimately for health and our society.

Epigenetic drug discovery: Prospects in terms of technology, market, and organizational capabilities

248th National Meeting (2014)

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