NMEs, notable line extensions and worldwide approvals: A comprehensive look at the year’s new drugs & biologics, 2017

“The year’s new drugs & biologics, 2017” presents an in-depth look at 113 of the new drugs and biologics that were approved or launched for the first time globally in 2017. Fifty-two of the new arrivals reached their first markets worldwide in 2017. Seven of the new launches were first-in-class agents, meaning the first drug with a novel mechanism of action to be approved and launched anywhere in the world.

In addition, 36 notable line extensions (i.e., new indications, new combinations and new formulations of previously marketed products) were introduced last year. Twenty-five products discussed in the review were approved for the first time during the year just passed, but had not yet been launched as of December 31, 2017.

“The year’s new drugs & biologics,” a comprehensive annual two-part review, was compiled from Cortellis and Integrity, the Clarivate Analytics databases, along with Clarivate’s Drug News and company communications.

Notable developments during 2017 included the launch of the world’s first CAR-T therapies for cancer (see Figure I for a graphic depiction of this novel treatment approach) and approval of the first digital pill, as well as the approval of the first gene therapy in the U.S. for an inherited disease caused by mutations in a specific gene.

Tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel are new gene therapies consisting of adaptive, autologous T lymphocytes transduced with a replication-deficient lentiviral vector. They are designed for use in the therapeutic intervention of relapsed or refractory (r/r) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in pediatric and young adult patients, as well as r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in individuals ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). These agents are comprised of genetically modified antigen-specific autologous T cells that have been reprogrammed to target cells that express CD19, an antigen expressed on the surface of B cells and tumors derived from B cells. The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) protein harbors an extracellular segment that has a murine anti-CD19 single chain antibody fragment (scFv) and an intracellular segment that contains T-cell signaling (CD3-ζ) and costimulatory (4-1BB) domains. These intracellular domains are essential for each drug’s activity, including the induction and persistence of T cells and their antitumor effects, including cytotoxicity, degranulation and granzyme-mediated tumor lysis.

The seven first-in-class agents included the CAR-T therapies as well as the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) inhibitor telotristat ethyl, the anti-interleukin-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) monoclonal antibody (MAb) dupilumab, and the purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) inhibitor forodesine.

Regarding newly launched NMEs and biologics, oncology was by far the most active therapeutic group in 2017, with 17 new products introduced last year; this was the highest number in the last decade (see Table I). Orphan drugs continue to be a focus of new drug R&D, and 31 of last year’s newly launched drugs and biologics (including line extensions) had orphan drug status, some for more than one indication.

Table I. New drugs & biologics by therapeutic category, launched in 2007-2017*

THERAPEUTICS 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Central nervous system 3 4 7 4 5 2 4 3 4 7 6
Respiratory 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 5 3 1 1
Cardiovascular 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 0
Renal-urologic 1 2 2 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 0
Hematologic 2 6 3 1 3 2 1 7 7 4 1
Gastrointestinal 1 3 1 1 0 1 4 1 4 1 4
Endocrine drugs 2 0 3 2 1 4 4 6 3 1 3
Dermatologic 0 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 2 4 3
Anti-infective 5 3 1 2 6 0 5 11 5 5 4
Musculoskeletal 0 1 3 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 2
Immunologic 4 3 17 5 4 5 11 2 5 10 5
Cancer 5 1 6 7 7 10 12 10 14 5 17
Ophthalmic 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2
Metabolic drugs 2 2 3 4 2 2 7 3 5 4 3
Poisoning & drug abuse 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
Dental 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Diagnostic agents 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 1
Total 30 33 51 29 36 36 56 58 55 50 52

*Does not include line extensions.

Sources: Cortellis, Integrity and Drug News, from Clarivate Analytics; company reports.

The most active market for new drugs in 2017 was again the U.S., which welcomed 35 of the 52 new products (67%). Other markets lagged much further behind, with eight new launches in the European Union, three in Japan and just one apiece in other countries (Canada, Korea, Russia, Argentina, Taiwan and India).

Part I of the annual review looks at drug development advances across multiple therapeutic areas, from agents for analgesia and anesthesia to ophthalmic drugs to treatments for cancer. It was written by Clarivate’s Ann Graul, Patricia Pina and Mark Stringer and includes six additional drug diagrams.

Part II provides insight into some of last year’s top news and trends, including the growing opioid crisis affecting the U.S. and other developed countries and the 2017-2018 influenza epidemic, with a spotlight on the need for a universal flu vaccine.

As in previous years, we also review orphan drug development, new agency-supported programs such as PRIME and RMAT, pipeline attrition and drug pricing, as well as pharma/biotech mergers and acquisitions of note. Finally, we take a glimpse into the crystal ball to anticipate the new drugs that will be approved in 2018. Part II was prepared by A. Graul, P. Pina, Coia Dulsat, Michelle Tracy and Paul D’Souza.

Both parts of “The year’s new drugs & biologics” first appeared in Drugs of Today, the Clarivate journal. They may be downloaded for free here:

Part I

Part II

For additional analysis, learn about the drugs expected to launch in 2018 and forecast to reach blockbuster status in the next five years. Know the Drugs to Watch in 2018 now.