Medicament Outlook 2019 - These medicines are new to the market

Around 30 new drugs are expected to improve care

In the course of the year 2019, about 30 new drugs will be approved for treatment. Among them are new antibiotics, which should show better efficacy against resistant bacteria, anti-cancer drugs and anti-clotting drugs.

The Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa) recently announced what new medicines should be expected in the course of 2019. The association would like to draw the attention of patients to new treatment options. "Pharmaceutical companies have applied for, or have been granted, Europe-wide approval for a large number of new drugs, and could launch them this year," says Birgit Fischer, chief executive of vfa, in a press release.

New antibiotics against resistant germs

The most important new drugs include several new antibiotics. These should also be effective against bacterial strains that have developed resistance to older remedies. According to the vfa, two antibiotics have already been approved. Four other funds are currently undergoing the approval process.

New remedies for infectious diseases

Also against various viral infectious diseases in 2019 there will be new drugs, which are especially directed against flu, anthrax and HIV infections. For example, a new antibody drug will become available to people living with HIV who have failed traditional therapies so far.

A whole repertoire of cancer drugs

Every third drug launched in 2019 will be targeted by the vfa against cancers. The need for new funds is still high. "Almost every second person in Germany suffers from one or the other type of cancer in the course of his life," says Fischer. Cancers are still the second leading cause of death.

Lung cancer drugs

By 2019, up to four new lung cancer medicines are expected to be used against more advanced lung cancers, which are currently difficult to treat. In addition, new drugs against skin cancer, leukemia, lymph node cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer will become available.

First drug gene therapy for cancer

An absolute novelty to be launched in 2019 is a cross-organ cancer drug to be used to fight tumors that have certain gene mutations. "The fact that for the first time in the EU a genotoxic rather than an organ-related field of application could be determined, shows the advancement of cancer research at the molecular level," says Fischer.

Medicines that help to prevent blood clotting disorders

For those who suffer from coagulation disorders such as deficiency of coagulation factor VIII or von Willebrand factor, a drug could be released this year that restores the blood's ability to coagulate.

Other medicines

In addition, it should be possible for patients with type 1 diabetes to regulate their sugar control by swallowing a drug. In addition, according to vfa new drugs against inflammatory diseases of the skin and blood vessels and against osteoporosis are expected. A new migraine prevention tool could also be launched during 2019. (Vb)