Medicines in Development

All patients -- whether fighting deadly diseases or managing long-term, chronic conditions -- live in the hope that tomorrow will bring the promise of new medicines and improved therapies. America’s biopharmaceutical research companies work hard every day to live up to those understandably high expectations and meet our common goals: improved health and better treatment options.

The world of health care has seen remarkable advances in our lifetimes. But that progress must continue. That’s why our researchers are immersed in the discovery and development of potential new medicines and therapies that one day may give patients and physicians new weapons in the fight against disease.

With more than $65 billion invested in research and development last year on roughly 2,900 medicines currently in development, the promise is stronger than ever.

Featured Report

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

America’s biopharmaceutical research companies are working on 54 medicines to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for the more than 13 million American adults that suffer from the disease. COPD is a progressive lower respiratory disease that encompasses two main conditions – chronic bronchitis and emphysema – COPD is characterized by obstructed airflow to the lungs that interferes with normal breathing.

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African Americans

In a continuing drive to close the health gap between African Americans and the majority population, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are developing nearly 700 new medicines for disease that disproportionately afflict African Americans or diseases that are among the top 10 causes of death among African Americans, according to a report.

Alzheimer's

If no new medicines are found, Alzheimer's disease could affect 13.5 million Americans at a cost of more than $1 trillion by 2050. Our biopharmaceutical research companies are developing nearly 100 medicines to avert this national crisis.

Arthritis

America’s biopharmaceutical research companies are currently developing 198 medicines to help the more than 50 million Americans afflicted with at least one of the 100 different musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis. All of the medicines are either in clinical trials or awaiting review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Biotechnology

Millions of people already have benefited from medicines and vaccines developed through biotechnology, and a new report offers hope that many more will benefit in the future. The survey found over 900 biotechnology medicines in development for over 100 diseases. These include 352 medicines for cancer, 188 for infectious diseases, 69 for autoimmune diseases, and 39 for AIDS/HIV and related conditions.

Cancer

There are few things that cause patients more fear and uncertainty than a cancer diagnosis. Yet today, because of a steady stream of new and improved medicines and treatments, cancer increasingly can be managed and even beaten. Patients and their families are looking for even more and better treatments, and America’s biopharmaceutical research companies are responding.

Children

America’s biopharmaceutical companies are researching 282 medicines to help meet the unique health care needs of children and adolescents. Considerable progress in the fight against diseases that impact children has been achieved in recent decades, with medicines playing a key role. Infant mortality has sunk to record lows. New vaccines protect children against many childhood diseases. Antibiotics prevent deaths from pneumonia and other infectious diseases.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Diabetes

Heart Disease and Stroke

Keeping up the momentum of drug discovery that has helped cut deaths from heart disease and stroke in half in the past three decades, biopharmaceutical companies are working on 312 medicines for these diseases. All of the medicines are either in clinical trials or awaiting approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Hispanics

Pharmaceutical researchers are developing 258 new medicines for diseases that disproportionately affect the nation’s 42.6 million Hispanic Americans, according to a report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The report was conducted in cooperation with the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.

HIV/AIDS

Over the past three decades, more than 30 medicines have been approved to treat HIV/AIDS. While these medicines have helped to prolong the lives of HIV-infected patients, it is not enough. America’s biopharmaceutical researchers are focusing on improved treatment regimens, more effective treatments, and intensifying their efforts to develop preventative vaccines. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative estimates that a vaccine that is 50 percent effective and given to only 30 percent of the population could reduce new HIV infections by 24 percent over 15 years. Currently, 88 medicines and vaccines are in development.

Infectious Disease

Critical challenges remain in the centuries-old battles against infectious diseases, particularly as bacteria and viruses mutate and as the threat of bioterrorism grows. Responding to this need, America’s biopharmaceutical research companies have 395 new medicines and vaccines in the pipeline to fight infectious diseases.

Mental Illness

Pharmaceutical research is targeting mental illnesses with 313 medicines in development to help the more than 300 million people worldwide who suffer from some form of mental illness -- from Alzheimer’s disease to depression, to schizophrenia, to dependence on alcohol or illegal drugs. All of the medicines are either in clinical trials or awaiting approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Neurological Disorders

New studies show that older patients are particularly susceptible to many neurologic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and stroke. In addition to the terrible human toll of neurologic disorders, the diseases annually cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars in care, lost work days, and reduced productivity. Alzheimer’s disease alone costs more than $148 billion a year, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

New Drug Approvals

In 2010, 26 new medicines were added to the nation’s medicine chest for better prevention and treatment of disease. The medicines include 15 new drugs (also called new molecular entities, or NMEs), six new therapeutic biologics and five other biologics.

New Drug Approvals in 2010 (PDF)

Older Americans

The population of Americans older than 65 is surging, and the pace will only increase in the next couple of years. Indeed, beginning in just five short years, the first of more than 70 million members of the baby-boom generation will begin retiring and further swell the number of Americans older than 65. As life expectancy continues to expand, older Americans face new and growing challenges to their health, productivity and independence -- from geriatric conditions to complications from diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Parkinson's Disease

America’s biopharmaceutical research companies are currently developing 36 medicines to help the nearly 1 million Americans suffering from Parkinson’s disease, a motor system disorder resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. All of the medicines are either in clinical trials or awaiting review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Rare Diseases

The National Institutes of Health estimates that there are approximately 6,000 rare diseases affecting 25 million Americans. A rare disease is defined as a condition affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. In the past, treatment options for such conditions have been nonexistent or limited, but approval of several new medicines in this research sector over the last few years has fostered great progress.

Skin Diseases

America’s biopharmaceutical research companies currently are developing 277 medicines to help the more than 100 million Americans, one third of the U.S. population, that suffer from at least one skin disease. Skin diseases, ranging from acne to psoriasis and from melanoma to infections, are more common than most people know and they come with not only a medical but also a financial burden. According to a study by the Lewin Group, the total annual cost of skin diseases was estimated at $39.3 billion in 2005.

Women

Pharmaceutical researchers are developing more than 800 medicines for diseases that disproportionately affect women.

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