Drug Repurposing: Unlocking access to rare solutions
Express Pharma|November 2024
Drug repurposing, a quick, cost-effective path to deliver existing treatments to patients, can serve to expedite and expand healthcare access for patients with rare diseases
Drug Repurposing: Unlocking access to rare solutions

In the marathon of drug development, where billions of dollars and over a decade of research are the norm, drug repurposing is quietly reshaping the landscape. This approach is particularly beneficial for rare diseases, where the treatment options are woefully limited. For conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals, traditional development is economically daunting and repurposing emerges as a pivotal strategy, offering faster, affordable solutions for conditions that have long been left behind in traditional drug pipelines.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the estimated 6,000 to 8,000 known rare diseases, only about 5 per cent have FDA-approved treatments. According to a report from the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, approximately 96 million people in India are affected by various rare diseases, many of which are genetic or acquired through viral or bacterial infections. Over 70 per cent of these conditions lack a cure and often go unnoticed, presenting a significant opportunity for drug repurposing in India. In this context, the ability to bring effective therapies to market more quickly and at lower costs, positions drug repurposing as a crucial focus for the pharmaceutical industry.

Streamlined regulatory pathways

One of the biggest enablers of drug repurposing is the regulatory framework designed to expedite approvals for already-approved compounds. The FDA's 505(b)(2) pathway and the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Hybrid Pathway offer routes for drug developers to rely on previously submitted clinical data, cutting down approval times significantly. According to research from Alacrita, a pharma and biotech consulting firm, between 2013 and 2018, nearly 50 per cent of all New Drug Applications (NDAs) approved by the FDA were based on the 505(b)(2) pathway.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EXPRESS PHARMAView all
Powerful Process Control with IND500x Weighing Indicators
Express Pharma

Powerful Process Control with IND500x Weighing Indicators

Ensuring consistent quality in hazardous environments, particularly in Ex-Areas (Zone 1/21, Division 1), is a critical aspect of industrial operations. The IND500x weighing indicators from METTLER TOLEDO provide a robust solution for these challenging settings, offering optimized safety and productivity.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Ensuring clean room integrity with prime clean reset high-speed doors
Express Pharma

Ensuring clean room integrity with prime clean reset high-speed doors

Prime Clean Reset high-speed doors ensure airtight seals, minimising air permeability and contamination in clean rooms. Designed for sensitive environments, they enhance operational efficiency and meet rigorous regulatory standards, making them ideal for pharmaceutical and biotech industries

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Complete environmental monitoring solution - testo Saveris Pharma
Express Pharma

Complete environmental monitoring solution - testo Saveris Pharma

There are several critical applications in the industry like research and development that demand for continuous & reliable monitoring of important environmental parameters.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Adaptive Manufacturing:-The new flexibility in medical device assembly
Express Pharma

Adaptive Manufacturing:-The new flexibility in medical device assembly

Unlike traditional, rigid production lines, B&R's adaptive machines seamlessly adjust to the requirements of each device, dynamically adapting to each unique process

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Reshaping pharma safety with active packaging innovations
Express Pharma

Reshaping pharma safety with active packaging innovations

CILICANT is revolutionising active packaging with solutions tailored for the most sensitive formulations. Meet the innovators driving stability, safety, and impurity control in pharma packaging at CPhI India

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
UNLOCKING GROWTH FRONTIERS
Express Pharma

UNLOCKING GROWTH FRONTIERS

Vadodara Pharma Summit 2024 brought together industry leaders and experts to highlight the city's pivotal role in India's pharma landscape and explore collaborative strategies to strengthen India's pharma innovation ecosystem

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
Optimising cloud provisioning for pharmaceutical compliance and operational excellence
Express Pharma

Optimising cloud provisioning for pharmaceutical compliance and operational excellence

Suresh Perikala, Senior Engineering Lead - DevOps and Cloud Engineering Practice, Altimetrik

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Accelerating pharma's sustainability efforts
Express Pharma

Accelerating pharma's sustainability efforts

Avinaw Prasad, Director, Climate Change & Sustainability, Deloitte India explains why integrating sustainability into the core pharma business strategy is essential for long-term success, analyses key focus areas and policy pushes which can incentivise companies to further evolve on the sustainability path

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Drug Repurposing: Unlocking access to rare solutions
Express Pharma

Drug Repurposing: Unlocking access to rare solutions

Drug repurposing, a quick, cost-effective path to deliver existing treatments to patients, can serve to expedite and expand healthcare access for patients with rare diseases

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
Optimising spend, maximising growth
Express Pharma

Optimising spend, maximising growth

Express Pharma, in partnership with IPA and CHEMEXCIL, powered by SAP, recently organised a thought leadership conclave on 'Reimagining spend management and supply chain' where cross functional experts explored strategies to drive value through supply chain transformation

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024