R&D-based drugmakers need counter-generics strategies 10 years before patent expiration, says new study

Drug research companies are strengthening their task forces to protect the patents for their products, but planning far enough in advance of patent expiry remains a challenge for many teams, according to a new study from Cutting-Edge Information.

On average, 40% of surveyed companies deploy counter-generics task forces. These groups are present at 67% of the pharmaceutical industry's top 10 firms that participated in the study. The presence of task forces at the largest of companies makes sense because these firms manage entire therapeutic lines. At the same time, task forces are also beneficial to smaller companies, whose fortunes may rest on a few key brands, the report notes.

"Besides the actual strategy setting and problem-solving involved, these groups strengthen cross-functional communication because of the array of functions involved," said Jason Richardson, president of Cutting Edge Information, adding: "Even if the teams only form when there is a generic threat to be addressed, they build invaluable expertise."