There are more scientists now than ever before. I don't see how what you're saying fits the facts. There is probably more funding available for research that has little expectation of ever leading to anything economically significant than at any time in the past.
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The fact that progress exists does not technically constitute a counter-example.
Maybe in a parallel world, where capitalism does not exist, the progress is 10x faster, or the funding is 10x more important. Maybe the capitalism needs some progress, so needs to invest in it, but has also as effect to cut the roots that would generate more progress.
Or maybe not. My point is just that I don't think that what you point out does not really prove anything.
I'd like to add that the number of scientists is not a relevant metric either, though it is a variable.
The pocket change invested in serious scientific research by capitalist-run foundations proportionally increases with the wealth of those capitalists. That it grows is not impressive. What would be impressive is if these foundational social forces were disrupted.
Although it's declining for a variety of reasons, a relatively large amount of research is publicly funded within the United States.