Future of Medicine
For patients facing serious and life-threatening illnesses, a new medicine brings hope for a healthier life. America's biopharmaceutical companies lead the world in delivering that hope to patients, continuing research and development of new medicines for unmet needs long after FDA approval.
Since 2000, nearly 900 new medicines have been approved by the FDA, helping patients live longer, healthier lives by treating and, in some cases, preventing disease. Among the remarkable new treatments reaching patients are the first-ever treatments for rare diseases, curative therapies and innovative new options for chronic conditions.
The way in which new medicines are researched and developed is also changing rapidly. New advanced technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming the way we research, manufacture and safely deliver medicines.
Explore the Future of Medicine reports below
Cell & Gene Therapies
Cell and gene therapies are rewriting the rules of medicine. By targeting the root causes of disease, these breakthroughs offer long-term, and potentially curative, results. Since 2017, the FDA has approved a surge of new options, transforming the fight against cancer, autoimmune diseases, neurologic disorders and rare pediatric illnesses.
Cell and gene therapies are highly complex, personalized treatments, and our current health care system must evolve to ensure equitable access to these breakthroughs. Continued investment in these innovative treatments has the potential to transform patient care and reduce long-term health system costs.
Chronic Diseases
Medicines in Development for Chronic Diseases 2024
Chronic diseases affect millions of American families and remain the primary driver of national health care spending. Unlike acute conditions that require short-term care, these illnesses often demand lifelong management that can take a heavy toll on a patient's daily life. To break this cycle, biopharmaceutical companies are currently developing treatments offering a future where people of all ages can live longer, healthier lives.
Report Preventative Treatment
Vaccines
Medicines in Development for Vaccines 2024
Vaccines remain the gold standard for global health, providing a critical shield against infectious diseases while dramatically increasing life expectancy and quality of life. As a global leader in biopharmaceutical R&D, the U.S. continues to pioneer breakthroughs that protect Americans and the global community from emerging health threats. By preventing once-devastating conditions and even eliminating them entirely, these innovations ensure a safer, more resilient future for all.
Cancer
Medicines in Development for Cancer 2023
Over the last 30 years, revolutionary treatment approaches have cut cancer death rates by 33%, sparing more than 3.8 million lives since 1991. The five-year survival rate across all cancers has surged to 68%, a remarkable feat considering cancer is actually a complex collection of hundreds of distinct diseases. Despite these historic gains, a critical unmet need remains for rare and aggressive cancers where limited treatment options still leave many patients without a cure.
Mental Illness
Medicines in Development for Mental Illness 2023
Mental illnesses represent a complex spectrum of conditions that can severely impair daily functioning and strain personal and professional lives. To meet this challenge, biopharmaceutical researchers are leveraging a deeper scientific understanding of the brain to develop new, innovative medicines. These new therapies aim to provide critical breakthroughs for patients who currently lack effective options or suffer from debilitating side effects.
Older Americans
Medicines in Development for Leading Chronic Diseases Affecting Older Americans 2023
Chronic diseases, like diabetes and arthritis, disproportionately impact older Americans, with 95% of seniors managing at least one condition and 80% navigating two or more. These illnesses often strip away independence and necessitate long-term care, making the development of new, effective treatments a national priority. To meet this need, the biopharmaceutical industry has delivered a robust pipeline of breakthroughs, including first-class medicines for chronic kidney disease and heart disease that help seniors live longer, more independent lives.