wolfgang - there is also in implicit assumption about capitalism
in your comment that isnt quite true.

ie. that if theres money to be made someone will come along and do it.

not always true..


and it applies in this case with DCA, in order to test and bring the drug to market the estimated cost is $100 million. However since no one can patent DCA means it would be difficult to make money as other companies can make knockoffs without spending the development costs.
so no interest.

also one of the biggest killers in the world is malaria, and yet few companies are investing in research because the market is in the 3rd world and those people cant afford even a dollar a day for drugs..
etc. I applaud Bill Gates for all his attention to this problem, I think when he donated something like 25$million a few years ago, he was told that he effectively doubled the worldwide malaria research budget.

the same for that matter goes to energy efficiency, Amory Lovins the physicist and consultant - came up with more efficient heating and airconditioning systems, for a large office building but since the builder and the landlord doesnt pay the utility costs there was no interest on their part, and while the tenants would be interested
even if they shared the savings with the landlord - ultimately the project never happened - since the building would be shut down for too long and the sales agents depend on high turnover to make their money.

- or a buildings electrical system would be far more efficient in the long run if the electrician who put it in used heavier gauge wires,
however the electrician would never get the bid since it would be far more expensive to install- but cheaper in the long run - since the benefits belong to the 3rd party (the tenant) it doesnt get done).
see - money that could be made but no one can be bothered.

its like that old joke - with an economist grandfather out strolling with his little granddaughter. She spots a 20 dollar bill on the sidewalk but the grandfather walks right on by. When she asks her grandfather why he didnt pick it up, he laughs and says, oh sweetie if that were a real 20$ bill someone would have picked it up long ago.