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Published on: December 9, 2015
Speed of innovation: How quickly are different therapeutic areas adopting paradigm-shifting drugs?
Vanessa A Gutzeit1, Souparno Bhattacharya2, John Wu2
1Boston Consulting Group, 10 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, USA; Current address: AbbVie, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA.
Abstract:
The past decades have seen breakthroughs in drug discovery that have revolutionized the treatment of many diseases. These paradigm-shifting treatments are often novel targeted therapies, directed at new areas of biology. To better understand these paradigm shifts, we conducted an analysis of the adoption of 25 drug classes from five major therapeutic areas (TAs). We show systematic differences in terms of adoption speed, with oncology being substantially faster than any other TA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this speed is increasing, such that novel therapies are adopted at least twice as fast today as they were a decade ago. We also show that, once a paradigm-shifting therapy is established in one disease, subsequent innovation accelerates dramatically. We discuss implications of these findings for research and development organizations, the portfolios of which include novel and potentially paradigm-changing molecules.
Insights
Drug discovery breakthroughs are revolutionizing medicine. Novel therapies are adopted faster now than ever, especially in oncology, with subsequent innovations accelerating post-establishment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Recent decades show significant advances in drug discovery, leading to novel targeted therapies.
- These paradigm-shifting treatments address new biological pathways for various diseases.
- Understanding drug adoption patterns is crucial for evaluating therapeutic impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the adoption dynamics of 25 drug classes across five major therapeutic areas.
- To identify systematic differences in adoption speed and trends over time.
- To explore the impact of established therapies on subsequent innovation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of drug class adoption data.
- Comparative study across five major therapeutic areas.
- Examination of adoption speed trends over the past decade.
Main Results:
- Oncology exhibits significantly faster adoption rates compared to other therapeutic areas.
- The speed of novel therapy adoption has at least doubled in the last decade.
- Establishment of a paradigm-shifting therapy accelerates subsequent innovation in a disease area.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic area significantly influences drug adoption speed, with oncology leading.
- There is an accelerating trend in the adoption of novel medical treatments.
- Early success of breakthrough therapies stimulates further research and development, impacting R&D organizational strategies.
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