2002 biotech drug launches

Drug Cost Management Report, Feb, 2003

The FDA has approved 20 new biotechnology-based drugs and vaccines as well as 15 new indications for previously approved biotech products in 2002.

According to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), this number is up slightly from 2001, and more than half of the 168 biotech medicines available today were approved in just the last five years. Of the 35 FDA approvals issued last year, 20 were for new medicines designed to treat such diseases as osteoporosis, hepatitis C, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Information: Kathy Stover, BIO, (202) 962-9200 or FDA, 888-INFO-FDA.