Oncology most active therapeutic area for Ph II/III R&D

While metabolic drugs account for one-quarter of drugs recently filed for approval or approved, oncology continues to be the most active therapeutic area for Phase II and III research and development (R&D), according to a new report for health care advisory firm Decision Resources.

Among the top 25 biopharmaceutical companies, oncology is the focus for 30% of Phase II drugs and 22% of Phase III drugs. Decision Resources’ Strategic Insights report - titled R&D Trends: Will Pharma’s Investment Deliver?  - other active therapeutic areas of R&D include obesity drugs, anti-diabetics, anti-infectives, central nervous system drugs, musculoskeletal/pain drugs and respiratory drugs.

Novartis poised to benefit from rich Ph III pipeline

The analysis also reveals that despite enduring multiple failures in 2011 and 2012 with drugs in Phase III development, Novartis is poised to benefit from a rich Phase III pipeline. Decision Resources expects Novartis will replace Pfizer as the top global biopharmaceutical company in 2015.

“To maximize R&D investments, biopharmaceutical companies must continue to address Phase II and III attrition and identify better prospects early on,” said Decision Resources group senior vice president Kate Hohenberg. “As more than half of the costs associated with new drugs are accrued from Phase II on, this could lead to significant cost savings,” she noted.