Finding the Endless Frontier: Lessons from the Life Sciences Innovation System for Technology Policy

Iain M. Cockburn; Scott Stern

doi:10.2202/1932-0213.1071

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Finding the Endless Frontier: Lessons from the Life Sciences Innovation System for Technology Policy

Iain M. Cockburn and Scott Stern

Published/Copyright: July 16, 2010

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From the journal Capitalism and Society Volume 5 Issue 1

This paper considers the drivers of the structure and evolution of the life sciences innovation system, a remarkable success story for public support of science. The growth and performance of this system reflect the interaction between abundant scientific and technological opportunity, a reasonably effective and adaptive institutional and property rights framework, and a reservoir of unmet demand for therapies and technologies that significantly enhance human health care. Examining the evolution and dynamism of the life sciences innovation system, we emphasize three central foundations: a long-term and relatively stable commitment of financial and human resources by both the public sector and for-profit organizations, market and non-market institutions that encourage competition on the basis of innovation across multiple dimensions, and the promise of significant financial rewards for private sector innovators leveraging publicly funded scientific discoveries.

Published Online: 2010-7-16

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https://doi.org/10.2202/1932-0213.1071