Assume a new drug has just been discovered that will cure a rare human disease. Which of the following is likely to occur?

a. The company that discovered the drug will apply for a patent for the drug, and that grants it the monopoly rights to the drug for many years to come

b. The company that discovered the drug will have a monopoly over the drug because of economies of scale

c. The company that discovered the drug will keep the breakthrough as a trade secret

d. Other firms will quickly copy the drug formula making amonopoly for the discovering company impossible