Okay, how does that compare to what pharma companies spend? The article cites some unrelated numbers, doesn't actually compare.
A quick Google search says:
The average cost of phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials across therapeutic areas is around $4, 13, and 20 million respectively.
So... not really that different? What's the big deal here?
“Its own bill for landmark trialS of a four-drug combination treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis came to €34m (£29m)”
You’re also looking at the cost from from 2015 to 2016 where a single phase 3 trial was already 20m and $41,117 per patient. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/clinical-trial-budget-example...
Some trials have been controversially going for a surrogate endpoint, which makes the stats easier since you can get a continuous variable instead of a binary one, but that's also how you get aducanumab, which reduces amyloid plaque, but it's unclear if it actually helps in alzheimers. Despite this they charge $56k a year.