Recent discussions, such as the LinkedIn commentary “Why Global Health R&D is a Win Win for High- and Lower-income countries,” highlight an increasingly important truth: investments in global health R&D, though often driven by philanthropic missions such as the Wellcome Trust, are not acts of charity. Instead, they create measurable returns for both high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

To fully grasp the significance, one must look at the size and dynamics of the industry.

Industry Size: Global vs. India

The global pharmaceutical industry is gigantic, and R&D plays a central role in the pipeline of new drugs, devices, procedures and platforms.

These numbers show that while global health R&D represents only a fraction of total spending, its social and economic impact is enormous. However, it is not uniform, with

1. the private sector showing a profit-driven focus on lifestyle diseases and ‘blockbuster drugs’, and
2. funding for neglected diseases, emerging infections, and affordable diagnostics dependent on public and philanthropic initiatives.

Global Health R&D Across Nations

India’s Expanding Role

India is well-positioned to become a global leader in health R&D.

As India invests in clinical trial infrastructure, biotech startups, and academic-industry partnerships, it plys a critical global role in bridging the gap between HICs and LMICs in global health R&D. Addressing concerns of ethics in clinical trials and equity in sharing IP rights through policy frameworks will accelerate India as a driver of global health innovation.