PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ —
Pharmaceutical companies in the Asia Pacific region are
increasingly adapting their business models from the production of
generic drugs towards more high-risk, high-return research and
development, according to a new report released today by CMR
International, a Thomson Reuters business.
The changing picture is seen in the first edition of the
2010 Asia Pacific R&D Factbook, which
finds increased clinical trial activity, patent challenges, and
molecular development in the region.
“Whilst the proportion of global R&D expenditure allocated
to Asia Pacific was less than 1 percent in 2009, these trends show
a growing focus on these activities,” said Hans Poulsen, head of
life sciences consulting at Thomson Reuters.
Global figures for clinical trial recruitment highlight a
dramatic shift away from the United States and toward Asia Pacific.
In 2002, 53 percent of patients recruited globally were in
North America; in 2008 that figure was down to 32 percent.
Asia Pacific saw an increase from 6 percent to 11 percent
over the same period, while Europe showed marginal growth from 14
percent to 17 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of new molecules in development by generic
companies, particularly in India, reflects a strong inclination to
invest in R&D.
And the number of patent challenges in the region indicates an
increasingly aggressive approach to securing market share. Patent
challenges raised by Indian companies, for example, increased 60
percent from 2006 to 2009, underlining the shifting business model
in the region.
“The benefits to Asia Pacific in moving towards increased
clinical trials and more drug development are clear: attracting
more investment to the local pharma industry, and earlier access to
innovative medicines for the local population,” Hans Poulsen said.
“It is not clear however, if this trend will be seen a
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