Without them you wouldn't have the medicine.
How do you prove that? I disagree. Here my statement: Without patents you would have cheaper medicine (but I cannot prove that either)
How do you prove that? I disagree. Here my statement: Without patents you would have cheaper medicine (but I cannot prove that either)
Some percentage of your population aren't going to feel well while in the trial. Is is the fault of your medicine? You better be absolutely sure. Oh wait, you can't. Can you find anybody who might be able to help you decide?
So before VCs will give you $5M, they are going to be sure that Walmart can't knock off a copy once you have the proof. That's where the money goes, and why you won't get any unless you can arrange some exclusive sales.
And, like everything else, you have to make sure that there is a paying market (meaning docs will use it and insurers will pay for it).