Disease foci of pharmaceutical research and development as reflected in applications for International Nonproprietary Names, 1953–2022
2025

Trends in Pharmaceutical Research and Development from 1953 to 2022

Sample size: 10611 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sarel F Malan, Sophie AJ Lasseur, Antonio Romeo, Raffaella Balocco

Primary Institution: World Health Organization

Hypothesis

To evaluate trends in pharmaceutical research and development, and to correlate these trends with global medical need.

Conclusion

Despite a high demand from global health systems, medicine development for neglected tropical and other infectious diseases remains largely dependent on national policy, governmental and philanthropic funding, and partnerships.

Supporting Evidence

  • Out of 10,611 proposed INN, only 2,280 were included in approved medicines.
  • 17.3% of all INN in approved medicines are included in the WHO Model list of essential medicines.
  • The number of new INN for anti-infective and antiparasitic medicines has decreased significantly.
  • New substances in antineoplastic and immunomodulatory fields have been increasing.

Takeaway

This study looked at how many new medicines were developed for different diseases over the years and found that many important diseases still don't have enough new treatments.

Methodology

The study analyzed proposed pharmaceutical substances from the INN database and categorized them into therapeutic classes, comparing trends with global medical needs.

Limitations

The INN stem classification is based on the mechanism or mode of action as submitted by the applicant, which may change during development.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.2471/BLT.23.291203

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