USA: Orphan drugs win favored status in FDA reviews
13/10/2011
Over the last few years, there's been a big increase in Big Pharma's interest in rare diseases.
With Genzyme's success with drugs like Myozyme helping light the way, giants like GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Merck and Novartis have been organizing their own rare disease drug shops.
The FDA's more flexible attitude in how it judges the data from clinical trials for these drugs--as well as the 7 years of marketing exclusivity they earn along with some hefty tax credits--hasn't hurt. More...
Author: Greer Deal, Director of Global Regulatory Services