Two studies published in recent weeks along with a pair of studies released over the past two years showcase pharma’s drift toward biologic development and provide evidence of the promise of large molecule drugs. In a report dated March 23, the U.K. law firm Withers & Rogers found that by 2009, biologics accounted for 60% of the patents filed by the top 10 pharma companies and that the gap between filings for large and small molecules grew between 2007 and 2009. This positive trend extends beyond innovation to clinical development and final approval, with studies suggesting that biologics hold better prospects than traditional small molecules of advancing all the way from the lab to the clinic to the market. Large molecule success rates in development phases have declined in recent years, however. Considering the tightening of regulatory red tape, what do you think is the future of biologics?
Poll Question:
How do you think the rate of success for biologics in clinical development and approval will change in the coming years?
It will increase
66
It will decrease
32
It will remain relatively flat
14
Undecided
3
