title: 2014 in review: FDA approval of new drugs.
abstract: The year 2014 witnessed the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 42 new molecular entities (NMEs), which is well above recent averages. These molecules targeted a range of molecular pathways and clinical indications, although the latter was skewed toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and diabetes. By contrast, a single drug was approved for cardiovascular diseases and none for neurological indications (excepting sleeping disorders). Of note is a continued trend toward consolidation because the net number of biotechnology companies has reached its lowest point in over 25 years, raising questions about sustainability.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research Innovation in Business, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: michael.kinch@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kinch
mesh_terms: D017277:Drug Approval / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations