ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that strategic investments in healthcare technologies will be made only in environments that are favourable to the generation of returns through the use of measures that will value and protect that intellectual capital. It discusses what is involved in creating and exploiting a favourable investment environment, both from the point of view of the government, as guardian of the welfare of its citizens and their taxation revenues, and from that of a wealth-generating pharmaceutical industry. Karolinska Institute Innovations (KIAB) manages the intellectual property and related commercial activities of the Karolinska Institute. Stanford Research Institute (SRI) International's model has achieved exactly what other similar institutes want to achieve, namely intellectual property generated, companies spun out and technologies licensed to generate revenue and wealth. For an economy in the developed world to thrive into the future, it must build up a base of knowledge and intellectual property rather than abundant supplies of cheap labour.
