Scientists say they have found a way to invent new medicines and market them at a fraction of the cost charged by drug companies, according to a report last night. Sunial Shaunak and his colleague Steve Brocchini claim that their “ethical pharmaceutical” model could enable millions in poor countries to be cured of infectious diseases as well as slashing the NHS drugs bill.

Professor Shaunak, of Imperial College, said that he and Professor Brocchini, from the London School of Pharmacy, could alter the molecular structure of an existing drug and turn it technically into a new medicine which would no longer be under a 20-year patent to a multinational drug company.

Professor Shaunak told The Guardian that their research and development costs would be substantially lower than those of multinational companies.