US drugmakers addressing major diseases with over 230 medicines in development for children

The USA's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are developing 234 medicines for the special health care needs of children, according to a new report released by the trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

"Our researchers, who lead the world in pharmaceutical innovation, are working on new treatments to fight a wide range of major diseases and medical disorders that afflict children all over America," said PhRMA president and chief executive Billy Tauzin. "Our companies' targets include childhood cancer, the leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 5 and 24, and an array of genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis, a debilitating and fatal condition that affects 30,000 children and adults in the USA."

The new "Medicines in Development for Children" report was unveiled yesterday at Trinity Moline by PhRMA senior vice president Ken Johnson. He stressed that biopharmaceutical research companies are key contributors to today's steady progress against childhood diseases.