May 17, 2005

Washington, D.C. — There are 399 medicines to treat cancer now in development, according to a new survey released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).  PhRMA’s annual biopharmaceutical research survey also shows that many of these medicines represent potential breakthrough cancer treatments, while others involve possible new uses for existing medicines. 

“Anyone fighting cancer or anyone who has beaten it knows the importance of these medicines and this research,” said Billy Tauzin, PhRMA president and CEO. “Sometimes, the hope that one of these new medicines will work for you is what keeps you fighting the disease. The real reward for the huge research and development investment in these new medicines comes when one of these treatments help save lives or allow patients to go home cancer-free.”

The survey shows that research into possible cancer cures and treatments is today being conducted by 178 biopharmaceutical companies and by the National Cancer Institute. The medicines in development are all either in clinical trials or under Food and Drug Administration review.

The medicines include: 62 for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the United States; 49 for breast cancer, which is expected to strike more than 200,000 American women this year; 50 for prostate cancer, which is expected to kill more than 30,000 American men this year; and 35 for colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S.   Other potential medicines target kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, and others.  In addition, companies are working on medicines to improve the quality of life for people undergoing cancer treatment.

“This commitment to research continues and accelerates the remarkable breakthroughs in the fight against cancer achieved in the past decade,” said Tauzin.New treatments now available include:

“Cancer is still the second leading cause of death by disease in the United States despite this progress,” warned Mr. Tauzin, “only heart disease kills more people. Some 570,280 Americans are expected to die this year of cancer – more than 1,500 people a day. The hundreds of medicines now in development to fight cancer show the commitment of America’s biopharmaceutical companies to stemming cancer’s toll and helping patients win the war on cancer.”

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.  PhRMA members invested an estimated $38.8 billion in 2004 in discovering and developing new medicines.  PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. 

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