SiDock is an international scientific collaboration using the computers of volunteers to search through vast chemical space to find a cure for COVID-19. This will produce an open source, patent-free, shelf-stable antiviral that can be used across the world and purchased for low cost.
You can contribute to their work with a simple download.
How does the volunteered computer test for safety and efficacy?
They use some OSS modeling/docking software which tests for efficacy. After good candidates are identified by the computers, they are sent to ‘wet lab’ for further testing and candidate selection. Then it’s tested on some cells, then on some live animals, etc you keep going down that road and eventually you get to human trials.
I guess my point was who foots the bill for the expensive part and do they get an exclusive license on the patent?
Right now I believe the plan is for SiDock to fund much of the expensive part once they have a very strong candidate. They are already doing some wetlab work for example.
There is no patent on the drug, that is kind of the point, it is designed to be patent free. The results of SiDock’s research are published in an open-source manner. Any company that wants to could then manufacture and sell the drug, but obviously they can’t price gouge since any other small drug manufacturer could come along and undercut them. As you can imagine, there would be quite a big market for a potent, shelf-stable anti-viral for covid, particularly if it had a better side effect profile than paxlovid. Paxlovid is also quite expensive, if an alternative anti-viral was available, the competition would bring down Paxlovid’s price, which would be a win for everybody.