The year's new drugs & biologics 2016: Part I

Nearly 90 new drugs and biologics, including important new line extensions, were approved or launched for the first time globally in 2016, a comparatively lower number with respect to previous years. Forty-four new drugs and biologics reached their first markets worldwide in 2016, nearly 10% fewer than the previous year. Seven of the new launches were first-in-class agents, meaning the first drug with a novel mechanism of action to be approved and launched anywhere in the world. In addition, 23 novel line extensions (i.e., new formulations, new combinations and new indications) were introduced last year. The remaining 21 products discussed in this article were approved for the first time during the year just passed, but had not yet been launched as of December 15, 2016. Information on these new arrivals is covered in depth in part I of our annual review of the pharma and biotech industry.