Every day, the direction of our research changes and adjusts as we learn new things about the potential medicines we test. It's part of the process of developing new medicines that we stop research on many compounds as our research progresses.
Here is a sampling of just a few drugs in the pipeline:
Medicines currently in Phase III clinical trials treat atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome. A single daily dose controlled-release formulation of Coreg has now been released for the treatment of congestive heart failure.
A combination of Avandia and simvastatin is in Phase III trials. A noradrenaline/dopamine reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of obesity, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and depression is in early (Phase I) trials.
Phase I trials are under way for a DNA antiviral vaccine against HIV infections, and two new antimalarial drugs are in Phase III trials.
Phase II trials are in place for a dual alpha4 integrin antagonist (VLA4) for the possible treatment of both inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Alzheimer's, the PPAR gamma agonist rosiglitazone XR is in Phase II clinical trials. And we are in the Phase III trials for two prostate medications: a fixed-dose combination for benign prostatic hyperplasia and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Patients with acute and chronic pain should know that a dual-acting COX-2 inhibitor is in Phase III trials. Several medications are in different stages of clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia, depression, migraine, and anxiety.
Numerous medications for the treatment of various types of cancer are in early trials; a first-line therapy for ovarian cancer is in Phase III trials, as is an ErbB-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dual kinase inhibitor for the treatment of breast, renal, head, and neck cancers.
Several medications are in early trials for COPD, from long-acting Beta2-agonists to glucocorticoid agonists. Avamys/Allermist for the treatment of allergic rhinitis is in Phase III trials.
In the next five years, we expect to launch five major new vaccines in the US: an HPV vaccine targeting cervical cancer, a vaccine against rotavirus (already approved in more than 30 countries), a vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease, an improved flu vaccine for the elderly, and a meningitis combination vaccine for infants.
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