Biotechnology Healthcare - November/December 2008 - (Page 48) TRENDS: PIPELINE Biotech Drug Development Jumps 51 Percent in 2 Years Amy Krajacic, Senior Editor Biotechnology research shows no signs of slowing down, with drug development increasing in every therapeutic category tracked by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. In 2006, PhRMA tallied 418 biotech therapies in development. Just two years later, its 2008 Report on Medicines in Development lists 633 agents in clinical trials or under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Looking at raw numbers, cancer therapies take up the most space in the pipeline. Some 210 oncologic agents were in development in 2006; today, there are 254. In terms of growth, however, the clear-cut leader among therapeutic categories is infectious disease. Two years ago, there were 50 biologics in development for infectious diseases. Today, that figure has spiraled to 162 — a 224 percent increase. By product category, although some areas have remained relatively consistent or even declined in development efforts, vaccines have shown tremendous growth. There were 62 vaccines in development in 2006; in 2008, there are 223. Biologics in development, by therapeutic category Autoimmune disorders Blood disorders Cancer/related conditions Cardiovascular disorders Diabetes/related conditions Digestive diseases Eye conditions Genetic diseases Growth disorders HIV/AIDS infection/related conditions Infectious disease Neurologic disease Respiratory disorders Sleep disorders Transplantation Other 22 25 15 19 14 15 6 8 9 11 4 5 22 34 50 17 18 13 27 7 19 4 10 18 35 10 20 210 254 44 59 2006 2008 162 Biologics in development, by product category Antisense Cellular therapy Gene therapy Growth factors Interferons Interleukins Monoclonal antibodies 16 5 18 6 8 10 160 192 43 66 62 223 62 44 20 16 21 23 46 38 Sources: “2008 Report: Medicines in Development,” and “2006 Report: Medicines in Development,” Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Washington Recombinant hormones/proteins Vaccines Others 48 BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE · NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
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