In a Year of Unprecedented Growth for Biotechnology Innovation, Targeted Therapies Gain Most Significant Traction, According to New Delo...(in rapid adoption of new applications. ....)

Trends Across Three Stages of Innovation

Discovery

In 2002, monoclonal antibodies were the highest achieving innovative technology in terms of discovery, while RNAi-based gene therapy was the least. By 2007, stem cells moved from the middle of the pack to achieving the highest discovery innovation index among the six technologies; RNAi moved up, and monoclonal antibodies moved down to a lower level of innovation. Radiotherapy remained relatively high throughout the index. The remaining technologies were the lowest and were nearly identical in 2007.

Development

Radiotherapy was the highest achieving innovative technology in terms of development from 2002 to 2007. Marked by a more than 80 percent increase in the number of approvals from 18 in 2005 to 33 in 2006, radiotherapy experienced a large spike in development. The remaining technologies were near the minimum value of the index.

Realization

Stem cell and RNAi gene therapy were the highest achieving technology innovations in terms of final product realization. While they lack the maturity to make an immediate impact on the marketplace, both appear to be on the rise. Additionally, realization substantially increased over time for the remaining four technologies. From 2002 to 2007, the realization index increased by 39 percent, 34 percent, 48 percent and 31 percent for targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies, radiotherapy and drug device combinations, respectively.

"Tracking innovation in the life sciences industry will not only be important to industry leaders and pundits, but also to consumers who are already driving major changes to how health care is delivered, as they seek more personalized options for care," said Paul Keckley, Ph.D., executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.

Consumers' interest in life sciences and health care innovations was illustrated by the Deloitte Center for Health
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