OSDD is an open innovation translational research platform for both computational and experimental technologies, where all the projects and the research results are reported on the web based platform SysBorg 2.0 , enabling independent researchers to freely share their work, discuss, and collaborate through the internet. OSDD emphasizes integrative science through collaboration, open-sharing, taking up multifaceted approaches and accruing benefits from advances on different fronts of new drug discovery. Because the open source model is based on community participation, it has the potential to self-sustain continuous development by generating a storehouse of alternatives towards continued pursuit for new drug discovery. Numerous academic and research intuitions along with industries are partnering with CSIR in Open Source Drug Discovery Project. OSDD comprises a community of students, scientists, researchers, academicians, institutions, and corporations committed to discovery of drugs in an open source mode. Open Source Drug Discovery emphasizes integrative science through collaboration, open-sharing, taking up multifaceted approaches and accruing benefits from advances on different fronts of new drug discovery. Because the open source model is based on community participation, it has the potential to self-sustain continuous development by generating a storehouse of alternatives towards continued pursuit for new drug discovery. Numerous academic and research institutions along with industries are partnering with CSIR in Open Source Drug Discovery Project. Currently there are over 7900 participants from more than 130 countries.
The OSDD approach is to conduct early stage research in an open environment in a highly collaborative fashion involving best minds from across the world. In the development stage of the drug it collaborates with partners like contract research organizations in the pharmaceutical sector or public sector institutions with development capability. The conduct of research and development in the countries having disease burden, yet having competencies, will bring in skills at highly affordable scale.
To deliver drugs to the market OSDD relies on the generic industry business model. The generic drug industry has played a key role in making drugs affordable and accessible in the developing world. The drugs that come out of OSDD will be made available like a generic drug without any IP encumbrances so that the generic drug industry can manufacture and sell it through their channels anywhere in the world. The generic drug industry based market model creates the environment of affordability.
OSDD brings in the concept of open source, crowd source, open science, open innovation and product development partnership concepts on the same platform and leaves delivery of drugs to market forces.
Response to Market Failure
OSDD understands that the reason for failure to get adequate research investments to the tropical infectious diseases is the absence of a market which ensures return on investment for the industry. These diseases mostly affect the poor. Affordability and Accessibility of drugs to the affected population is at the core of OSDD philosophy. It is the OSDD mission to bring openness and collaborative spirit to the drug discovery process by developing an open source model of innovation for tropical infectious diseases with the objective of keeping medicine cost low and developing a web based platform for collaboration. OSDD aims to bring the best minds to drug discovery through open innovation and best partners with experience of drug development through product development partnerships. The drug development for tropical diseases carried out in those countries with diseases situs, in collaboration with the best minds of the world will make the research and development less expensive, compared to the traditional approaches followed in the industry.
To ensure affordability, the drugs that come out of the OSDD platform will be made available like a generic drug, without Intellectual Property encumbrances. OSDD thus relies on the already established business models of generic industry for delivery of drugs. The generic competition is expected to ensure affordability and accessibility as has happened in other areas where generic manufacturers are operating.
OSDD has emerged as the largest open source collaborative effort in drug discovery. OSDD is dedicated to the poor of India and elsewhere.
