This paper examines the relationship between basic and applied pharmac
eutical research. We focus on three stages of research and development
(R&D): government-funded basic research; publication in medical journ
als; and industry-funded applied R&D. We estimate that a one percent i
ncrease in basic research in a particular therapeutic category causes
a 0.76 percent increase in industry R&D in that category, and a 1.71 p
ercent increase in other categories, over seven years. We also find th
at research incentives differ across government, academic and industry
researchers. For example, government funding favors diseases that are
less prevalent and more debilitating than industry funding.