The Burrill Report


American biopharmaceutical companies are using biotechnology to develop more than 900 medicines and vaccines targeting more than 100 diseases, according to a new catalog of therapeutic candidates published by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

“These medicines reflect the cutting-edge research being conducted across the country by biopharmaceutical companies in order to provide new treatment options to patients,” says John Castellani, PhRMA’s president and CEO.

The association’s high-level overview of biopharma development activity in the United States provides a unique view on research and development in the sector, considering that U.S. pharmaceutical companies account for 80 percent of the world’s R&D in healthcare biotechnology. It also provides a concise background for anyone seeking a quick reference defining key terms and technologies.
Among the pipeline therapies are 338 cancer drugs, 170 of which were monoclonal antibodies, 176 medicines for infectious diseases, 71 medicines for autoimmune diseases, and 58 treatments for cardiovascular diseases. In total, the number of drugs in development was similar to what the association found in 2011.

In an overview of the catalog, PhRMA explains and highlights key technologies that have driven the development of novel biotherapeutics, such as the ability to harness a genetically-modified virus-based vaccine to treat melanoma; the use of a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of asthma; the development of an antisense therapy for the treatment of leukemia; and a recombinant fusion protein to treat type 2 diabetes.

Encouraging continued biopharmaceutical innovation will require the maintenance of supportive public policy and regulatory environments, says Castellani. In particular, PhRMA points to the importance of the reauthorized Prescription Drug User Fee Act as supporting the efficient, consistent and predictable science-based regulatory system.



March 15, 2013
http://www.burrillreport.com/article-phrma_cheers_progress_in_biotech.html