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Non-Fungible Tokens as a Framework for Sustainable Innovation in Pharmaceutical R&D: A Smart Contract-Based Platform for Data Sharing and Rightsholder Protection

Corrales Compagnucci, Marcelo ; Nilsson, Niclas LU ; Stankovski Wagner, Paul LU ; Olsson, Christoffer ; Fenwick, Mark ; Minssen, Timo and Szkalej, Kacper LU orcid (2023) In International Review of Law, Computers & Technology
Abstract
Research and Development (R&D) in the pharmaceutical sector traditionally occurred in closed, siloed institutional settings. This approach was a function of a rights-oriented model which framed access and reuse of data (data sharing) as a threat to rights-holders. However, a closed model of explorative collaboration is less suited to today’s more complex scientific ecosystem, where external engagement and dynamic partnering with multiple actors and diverse information sources has become essential. As such, devising alternative approaches is vital in ensuring that opportunities for scientific advances are not lost or innovation stifled.

This article introduces a hybrid contractual framework that combines the benefits of the... (More)
Research and Development (R&D) in the pharmaceutical sector traditionally occurred in closed, siloed institutional settings. This approach was a function of a rights-oriented model which framed access and reuse of data (data sharing) as a threat to rights-holders. However, a closed model of explorative collaboration is less suited to today’s more complex scientific ecosystem, where external engagement and dynamic partnering with multiple actors and diverse information sources has become essential. As such, devising alternative approaches is vital in ensuring that opportunities for scientific advances are not lost or innovation stifled.

This article introduces a hybrid contractual framework that combines the benefits of the automated functionality of smart contracts and non-fungible tokens embedded in the blockchain with more traditional rights-based licensing schemes. The framework described is based on the outcome of an experimental pilot platform that enabled participants to store, find and reuse data following FAIR data principles. The platform documents real-world physical assets in the drug discovery of chemical molecules in an immutable digital ledger.

More generally, smart contracts and non-fungible token’s point us towards an open and global collaborative platform for exploiting and advancing drug research assets. The resulting platform creates mechanisms for resolving issues regarding standardization, interoperability, and disclosure. As such, it overcomes many of the practical hurdles currently obstructing collaboration in pharmaceutical R&D, as well as providing a framework to address the central conflict in drug discovery, namely the demand for greater data sharing and the protection of rights-holder interests. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Private law, Blockchain, Intellectual property rights, Licenses, Civilrätt
in
International Review of Law, Computers & Technology
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:85165447320
ISSN
1360-0869
DOI
10.1080/13600869.2023.2233803
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d05e8855-fb44-4b08-9312-0368ff7d7d94
date added to LUP
2023-01-31 12:28:22
date last changed
2023-11-22 22:28:10
@article{d05e8855-fb44-4b08-9312-0368ff7d7d94,
  abstract     = {{Research and Development (R&amp;D) in the pharmaceutical sector traditionally occurred in closed, siloed institutional settings. This approach was a function of a rights-oriented model which framed access and reuse of data (data sharing) as a threat to rights-holders. However, a closed model of explorative collaboration is less suited to today’s more complex scientific ecosystem, where external engagement and dynamic partnering with multiple actors and diverse information sources has become essential. As such, devising alternative approaches is vital in ensuring that opportunities for scientific advances are not lost or innovation stifled.<br/><br/>This article introduces a hybrid contractual framework that combines the benefits of the automated functionality of smart contracts and non-fungible tokens embedded in the blockchain with more traditional rights-based licensing schemes. The framework described is based on the outcome of an experimental pilot platform that enabled participants to store, find and reuse data following FAIR data principles. The platform documents real-world physical assets in the drug discovery of chemical molecules in an immutable digital ledger.<br/><br/>More generally, smart contracts and non-fungible token’s point us towards an open and global collaborative platform for exploiting and advancing drug research assets. The resulting platform creates mechanisms for resolving issues regarding standardization, interoperability, and disclosure. As such, it overcomes many of the practical hurdles currently obstructing collaboration in pharmaceutical R&amp;D, as well as providing a framework to address the central conflict in drug discovery, namely the demand for greater data sharing and the protection of rights-holder interests.}},
  author       = {{Corrales Compagnucci, Marcelo and Nilsson, Niclas and Stankovski Wagner, Paul and Olsson, Christoffer and Fenwick, Mark and Minssen, Timo and Szkalej, Kacper}},
  issn         = {{1360-0869}},
  keywords     = {{Private law; Blockchain; Intellectual property rights; Licenses; Civilrätt}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{International Review of Law, Computers & Technology}},
  title        = {{Non-Fungible Tokens as a Framework for Sustainable Innovation in Pharmaceutical R&D: A Smart Contract-Based Platform for Data Sharing and Rightsholder Protection}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13600869.2023.2233803}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/13600869.2023.2233803}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}