David Ridley

David Ridley is a Professor of the Practice of Business, Economics, and Public Policy and Dr. and Mrs. Frank A. Riddick, Jr. Research Fellow at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. His research interests include life sciences innovation, production, and prices. He is dedicated to creating and studying tools that improve health. Ridley was the lead author of two papers that became law, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) priority review voucher program, which became law in 2007. He also proposed the Environmental Protection Agency vector expedited review voucher program, which became law in 2022. Ridley has served for more than a decade as the Faculty Director of the Center for Health Sector Management (HSM). His primary appointment is at the business school with honorary appointments in the Department of Economics and Sanford School of Public Policy. He also serves on the executive faculty committee of the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy.

David Ridley's research focuses on innovation, pricing, pharmaceuticals, and biotech, with an emphasis on understanding how market dynamics and policy influence drug development and accessibility. His work explores topics such as pharmaceutical pricing strategies, the impact of government reimbursement on drug shortages, and the role of transparency in global pharmaceutical markets. Ridley also investigates the commercial aspects of drug development, including the introduction of priority review vouchers and the effects of Medicaid policies on therapeutic adherence. His research highlights the interplay between market forces and public health outcomes, particularly in the context of developing countries and neglected diseases.