Friday, September 27, 2013

The Need of Federation of Open Drug Discovery (FODD) or United Open Source Drug Discovery (UOSDD) Forum

With recent developments of different Open Source Drug Discovery platforms across different part of world there is a big hope that with the crowd sourcing and Open Source approach we will get some better drug-like molecule within less time.
Stake is too high for all OSDD initiatives.
But while all OSDD portraying the same motto there is a huge co-ordination gap between all OSDD initiatives which might spoil the party big-time.
So why there is a need of an unified governing body quite similar to that of UNO, which will co-ordinate between all OSDD initiatives across the world and will govern that the motto of Open Source and will ensure that all resources across different platform is well coordinated and will ensure that the motto of Open Source really serves.


Why there is a need of this type of unified forum:

1.      Take for example there are different forums dealing with same category of molecule. For example there are 3-4 different OSDD initiatives dealing with small molecule drug discovery related to malaria. They have their own databases and it is very rare that they cross check their database with other OSDD platforms as it is quite tough because of huge submission of datas by its users. Hence it is quite possible that a huge amount of resource can be wasted to develop the same molecule with same technique. In this type of scenario the FODD or UOSDD will look after the whole programmes across different cross platforms and in this type of conflict scenario it will appeal both OSDD initiatives to collaborate together so that a unified open approach can be taken for discovery of a small molecule.

2.      The FODD or UOSDD will look after the funding issue as per all OSDD project concerns. Based on requirement of different OSDD portfolios across time OSDD will raise fund and distribute it across all members after proper consideration and discussion with all OSDD platforms.

3.      FODD or UOSDD will look for industry partner which is a quite a huge problem in terms of small molecules come from any OSDD initiative. FODD or UOSDD will arrange industry partner for future production, clinical trial and other development processes that will be needed for drug-like molecules that will come from different OSDD initiatives. FODD and UOSDD will ensure and look after that all drug-like molecules that will come from different OSDD initiatives go through a smooth development process.

4.      It is always true that all OSDD initiatives lack in different technical fields either it is different features regarding to its website, different aspects of formatting the existing feature, different aspects of sharing datas et al. The FODD or UOSDD will contribute with different suggestions on time to time basis to all OSDD platforms to upgrade its professional value and will promote all OSDD initiatives.

5.      FODD or UOSDD will look after different OSDD initiatives and will ensure that the motto of Open Source and Open Culture really in practice in those OSDD ventures.

6.      The Rough Model Organization Structure of FODD or UOSDD
a.      Board Of Directors Of FODD or OSDD
b.      Founders/Project Leaders/CEOs of All Current and Emerging OSDD initiatives
c.       Consultants who have previous research experience in different drug discovery and NCE development who will support all OSDD ventures with their valuable tips during the synthesis, clinical trial and production and finding industrial partners
d.      Academic consultants who will help with different academic and technical tips to all OSDD initiatives
e.      Volunteers of Open Science & Culture Motto who will ensure that the motto of Open Science & Culture really serving across different platforms and will report the Board of Directors, OSDD Members with their tips and recommendations.
f.       Financial Division: Will raise funds which will be distributed to different OSDD ventures depending on their status after a proper discussion with all new and existing members of community. It will also raise money from donation and will strategize different business model related to OSDD to raise fund for OSDD initiatives keeping the Open Source motto intact.

7.      FODD or UOSDD will work on topics related to Open Patent, licensing strategy of OSDD initiatives and other continuous developments to enrich Open Source.

8.      FODD or UOSDD will ensure all existing OSDD ventures will support new and emerging OSDD initiatives with their existing capacity, excess fund, synthesis expertise and consultancy.

This is just an idea. We will love to see an Open Discussion round to enrich different points and enrich the overall motto so that more clauses can be added. This can’nt be done efficiently in a TWITTER discussion or Facebook or GOOGLE+ comments. We need to have a meet of All project leaders/founders, enthusiasts to raise up the concept of FODD or UOSDD.