The results are in and they are not good...

Fierce Biotech reports that only thirteen new entities were approved in the first half of the year, but cautions that it may not be as bad as it looks. If you have been reading my blog, you know I am a bit of a contrarian, and I disagree.  It looks bad. These are the drugs predicted to be blockbusters:

• Tecfidera (multiple sclerosis): $4.2 billion, Biogen-Idec, dimethyl-fumarate
  
• Kadcyla (breast cancer): $2.9 billion, Genentech, antibody conjugate
  
• Breo Ellipta (COPD): $1.84 billion, Glaxo+Theravance, Steroid+beta2 agonist
  
• Pomalyst (multiple myeloma): $1.28 billion, Celgene, Thalidomide analogue
  
• Nesina (diabetes): $1.1 billion, Takeda, DPP4 inhibitor

I'm concerned that there isn't a lot of innovation there.  Breo Elipta is great for Theravance, but it shows that Glaxo has to look elsewhere for innovation.  I've commented before on the inherent problems with DPP4 and the incretin pathway.  Pomalyst is yet another Thalidomide analogue.  This time, at least, it is approved for a solid tumor indication.  Kadcyla is a biologic, and not to denigrate biologics, I'm an orally bioavailable, small molecule guy. I don't get the fumaric acid dimethyl ester.  It's been used since the 50's, is a biocide, and I wonder how it's going to generate $4.2 billion.  

This trend concerns me.  Which brings me to you dear reader.  It's August.  Do your goals include any IND's or clinical candidate nominations for this year?  If so you better have a good scale up route in place to your shot on goal, because it's now officially too late to pull one out of the hat at the last minute.  Also Do you know where your lead series are for next year?  It's time to get cracking.  You need your new chemical mater in place for next year, like last week, dude! Victrix can help.  We are experts at data mining, virtual screening and hit to lead strategies.  Contact us and lets talk about your needs.  It's free.  We will even visit your site and give you an analysis of your needs for free.  Mention this blog for 2 free hours of consulting on top of our free discovery. I'm worried about you and I don't even know you. I want you to meet your goals this year and be in position to get a head start on next years' goals.  You have

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