What if Pharma learned from Energy companies?

Remember a few years ago when Oil Companies started reinventing themselves as Energy Companies? We started seeing a shift in their focus away from solely oil exploration, extraction, refining and distribution to finding ways to continue to be relevant in a world that eventually will run out of oil. Recently I was dreaming of a similar scenario for pharmaceutical companies.

Let's be clear: the business model of Pharma is based on developing and commercializing drugs to treat diseases. But imagine what would happen if an important portion of expenses by Pharma started to be dedicated to researching cures for the diseases that most affect the world today.

Why would Pharma do this?
Why would they stop focusing on producing drugs that depend on having patients living with the conditions that the drugs are meant to treat? Why would they help develop cures for people who currently need those drugs? Well... what if it were in the best interest to do so?

I truly believe it's a matter of time (not IF but WHEN): we will find a cure for conditions such as diabetes. When the day comes that a cure is found, if Pharma has been a part of the effort by dedicating funds and resources to finding cures, they can continue to be viable as businesses commercializing cures (nothing wrong with running a business producing vaccines for diseases, if you think of it). If they don't, they will be like the dinosaur Oil company that refused to think of anything but oil... they will become extinct eventually.

Even with a cure available, people will continue to be born with genetic markers that make them more prone to develop conditions such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. So this could still be an important revenue stream for Pharma as the revenue from treatments starts to die off.

Of course, people who cannot afford the cure would need help to have access to it, much like they currently need patient assistance programs to be able to afford their drugs. Let's not forget about the ones who cannot afford care: they need to be able to get access to the cures.


So... do you guys think such a world would be possible? As John Lennon would say, "You may say I am a dreamer..." but I certainly hope I am not the only one! ;)