THE PIPELINE REPORT 2016 (I)

The most-promising late-stage pipeline drugs are a varied bunch: cancer therapies employing the immune system, PCSK9 inhibitors targeting cholesterol and biosimilars angling to upset biologics' market share. Some will hit the market with a splash, others will crash and burn due to safety/efficacy issues and the rest could fade into obscurity if competitors win the race to market. 

When judging the future of clinical candidates, the only important criterion is whether they will change therapy when approved, notes Bernard Munos, senior fellow at FasterCures. Of a potential drug, Munos asks, “Will patients and physicians clamor for it, as they clamor for [Gilead's hep.-C pill] Sovaldi or some of the new cancer drugs?” 

These days, changing the standard of care comes with a hefty price tag: The year 2015 saw more industry pricing controversy than ever before—and with the arrival of biosimilars prices may go haywire. 

Nonetheless, oncology boasts the most noteworthy R&D innovation of late. “PD-1/L1 inhibitors are the most remarkable accomplishment in years,” says Richard Evans, founder of SSR Health. (Más)