1、 itif.org The Value of Follow-On Biopharma Innovation for Health Outcomes and Economic Growth SANDRA BARBOSU|MARCH 2025 Follow-on biopharmaceutical innovations deliver substantial health and economic benefits by improving the safety and efficacy of existing therapies,addressing unmet patient needs,e
2、xpanding therapeutic applications,and enhancing adherence.Supportive policies are essential to sustain progress and ensure broad access to these medical advances.KEY TAKEAWAYS Biopharmaceutical innovation represents cumulative progress:Each innovation builds on earlier ones.Follow-on innovations are
3、 key in this process,refining,optimizing,and adding to first-in-class innovations to improve efficacy,safety,and access.Accounting for a substantial share of innovations in key therapeutic areas,follow-on innovations create better formulations and dosage forms of existing therapies or broaden their
4、therapeutic applications to new indications and patient populations.Follow-on innovations expand indications and drive patient-centric improvements,increasing treatment adherence by addressing challenges including side effects,complex treatment regimens,or difficult administration.Follow-on innovati
5、ons also deliver economic and health-system benefits.By improving adherence and expanding treatment options,they reduce work absenteeism and hospitalizations,boost productivity,improve health-care quality,and lower costs.Follow-on innovations also expand treatment options and encourage competition,w
6、hich can lower drug prices.Policy support is crucial to foster follow-on innovation.Policies such as the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act and the Orphan Drug Act encourage such innovations,addressing pediatric and rare disease treatment gaps.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY&INNOVATION FOUNDATION|MARCH 20