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Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
The support of human genetic evidence for approved drug indications
Matthew R Nelson1, Hannah Tipney2, Jeffery L Painter1
1Quantitative Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
Abstract:
Over a quarter of drugs that enter clinical development fail because they are ineffective. Growing insight into genes that influence human disease may affect how drug targets and indications are selected. However, there is little guidance about how much weight should be given to genetic evidence in making these key decisions. To answer this question, we investigated how well the current archive of genetic evidence predicts drug mechanisms. We found that, among well-studied indications, the proportion of drug mechanisms with direct genetic support increases significantly across the drug development pipeline, from 2.0% at the preclinical stage to 8.2% among mechanisms for approved drugs, and varies dramatically among disease areas. We estimate that selecting genetically supported targets could double the success rate in clinical development. Therefore, using the growing wealth of human genetic data to select the best targets and indications should have a measurable impact on the successful development of new drugs.
Insights
Leveraging human genetic data to select drug targets and indications could significantly improve drug development success rates. Genetically supported targets show a higher success probability, potentially doubling the current success rate.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
- Drug Development
Background:
- A significant portion of drugs fail in clinical development due to ineffectiveness.
- Human genetic insights are increasingly influencing drug target and indication selection.
- Guidance is lacking on the weight to be given to genetic evidence in these critical decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of current genetic evidence for drug mechanisms.
- To quantify the association between genetic support and drug development success.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of genetic evidence archives to assess support for drug mechanisms.
- Examination of drug mechanisms across different stages of the drug development pipeline.
- Comparison of genetic support proportions between preclinical and approved drugs.
Main Results:
- The proportion of drug mechanisms with direct genetic support increases from 2.0% in preclinical stages to 8.2% for approved drugs.
- Genetic support for drug mechanisms varies considerably across different disease areas.
- Selecting genetically supported targets is estimated to double the success rate in clinical development.
Conclusions:
- Human genetic data offers a powerful tool for optimizing drug target and indication selection.
- Integrating genetic evidence can substantially enhance the efficiency and success of new drug development.
- Further utilization of genetic insights is recommended to improve the drug development pipeline.
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