C A P I TA L A fast growing aging population and longer life expectancy requires more effective medicines that will enhance human healthcare and the quality of life. Research, development and commercialization efforts in pursuit of new treatments are funded by significant capital from both the public and private sectors. The federal government  continues to increase the budget for the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”), making it the world’s best funded research center. A majority  of the NIH’s budget, now approaching $29 billion, is used to support  early research programs at the nation’s academic and non-profit research institutions. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry invests nearly $39 billion in research and development annually. 