Prasad V, et al. - The purpose of this study was to yield a contemporary estimate of research and development (R&D) spending to develop cancer drugs. It was determined that the cost to develop a cancer drug was $648.0 million. This was substantially lower than prior estimates. The revenue, since approval, was significant (median, $1,658.4 million; range, $204.1 million to $22,275.0 million). Hence, a transparent estimate of R&D spending on cancer drugs was obtained in this trial. It displayed implications for the current debate on drug pricing.