America’s biopharmaceutical companies, including three in Bothell, are using biological processes to develop 907 medicines and vaccines targeting more than 100 diseases, according to a new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
The Washington companies working on new biologics include Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics and Marina Biotech in Bothell. In Seattle, biologics are under development at CG Therapeutics, Dendreon, Etubics Corporation, Oncothyreon, Infectious Disease Research Institute and Allozyne.
Biologics are drug therapies that are derived from human or animal proteins, as opposed to other pharmaceuticals that are derived from chemical sources.
Seattle Genetics led the list of Washington companies with eight new biologic medicines and vaccines, designed to treat diseases including lymphomas as well as prostate, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. Alder Biopharmaceuticals is developing treatments for arthritis, Crohn’s disease and migraines. Marina Biotech is developing a therapy for intestinal disorders.
The full report includes biologics in human clinical trials or under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration including: 338 cancer therapeutics that target several different types of solid tumors, leukemia and lymphoma; 134 vaccines for infectious diseases; 71 medicines for autoimmune diseases including lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis; 58 treatments for cardiovascular disease.
“These medicines reflect the cutting-edge research being conducted across the country by biopharmaceutical companies in order to provide new treatment options to patients,” stated PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani.
The biologic medicines now in development make use of a range of new technologies to harness scientific progress. Among the biologic medicines in development are:
“In order to realize the full potential of novel biologics to improve human health, it is essential to maintain public policy and regulatory environments to support the research and development that drives biomedical innovation,” concluded Castellani.
The U.S. biopharmaceutical research sector supports nearly four million jobs across the economy, invests billions of dollars in research and development each year, and accounts for nearly 20 percent of all domestic R&D funded by U.S. businesses generating high-quality, high-wage jobs, powering the U.S. economy, and developing critical new treatments against our most costly and challenging diseases.
