'I want to pose the question of what exactly we get from 'for profit' research,' said Sir John. 'Because these people are working in the commercial arena they will go for things that sell -- that means the things that rich people want.

'So, if you are a typical rich person -- are depressed, have high cholesterol, are ulcerated, arthritic, hyper-tense and allergic -- then you have many products available to you. If you are in a developing country suffering from tuberculosis or malaria, then just 10% of the research will go on your 90% problem. So, we cannot drive things in that way.