
- Pharmaceutical Executive-01-01-2016
- Volume 36
- Issue 1
2015 FDA Drug Approvals
Cures remain elusive, but regulators and industry are building ties that bind.
Judging by the headlines, the industry has failed to cure cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, obesity, etc. Based on this data, from the public’s point of view, big Pharma needs to rethink how it innovates. But consecutive years with high
water marks, at 41 NMEs and new therapeutic biological product approvals in 2014, and 45 for 2015, suggests some level of innovative prowess.
A look at the approvals from last year, and the special designations and expedited pathways granted by FDA en route to marketing affirmation, indicates that regulators and drug developers are communicating and cooperating. More than half of the products, 24 of 45, received a special status and/or accelerated review, according to FDA’s approval press releases. Seventeen were granted orphan-drug designation, clearly delineating the rare disease incentive blueprint that the industry is following, while eight were deemed worthy of “breakthrough” therapy status.
Eighteen made use of two or more of the agency’s special pathways and designations. A look at 2015’s full list below shows those products that made extensive use of FDA’s programs, and those that did not.
Casey McDonald is Pharm Exec's Senior Editor. He can be reached at
Articles in this issue
over 9 years ago
Feeling the Heat: Pharm Exec's 2016 Industry Forecastover 9 years ago
Ferring: The Quiet Companyalmost 10 years ago
Feel the Earth Move Under Your Brand?almost 10 years ago
Is the Hatch-Waxman System Broken?almost 10 years ago
Rough Road Ahead for Innovationalmost 10 years ago
Country Report: Puerto Ricoalmost 10 years ago
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