Zack Lynch is author of The Neuro Revolution: How Brain Science Is Changing Our World (St. Martin's Press, July 2009).
As foundations, private enterprise and governments continue their struggle to develop better therapies for neurological disorders faster, venture philanthropy is looking to shift the entire landscape. Most specifically, FasterCures, formed under the auspices of the Milken Institute, is boldly challenging all aspects of "the complex machinery that drives breakthroughs in medicine work."
The FasterCures Acceleration agenda addresses four key areas:
1. Science and Technology
2. Law and Regulation
3. Economics and Finance
4. Social Issues and Ethics
I highly recommend following this link to their position on increasing incentives for medical cures. It pinpoints why defining the neurotechnology industry will accelerate faster, more targeted cures for mental illness.
Update: Barron's - the cover story of the latest issue of Barron's is entitled: "Stategic giving - A Special Report on Philanthropy -- Business principles are reshaping the charitable world. Five nonprofits to watch.These new players are saying that maybe if we take the best of the business world and the best of philanthropy, we could get some traction on solving these problems," says Elizabeth Bremner, president of the Palo Alto., Calif.-based Foundation Incubator, an organization that helps newly-minted Silicon Valley millionaires get charitable ventures up and running."