New drug approvals took a nosedive in 2016. Here are the 22 that made the grade
In 2016, the FDA approved 22 new drugs, compared with 45 in 2015 and 41 in 2014.
A slowdown in applications is partly to blame. The FDA received 36 applications for new molecular entities in 2016, down from 40 in 2015. But the FDA delayed or rejected far more applications last year than in 2015. Additionally, many drugs due for a decision in 2016 snuck into 2015 thanks to the FDA’s accelerated approvals.
Merck, AbbVie and Eli Lilly led the way with two approvals each. Here’s the full list of new molecular entities that earned FDA approval in 2016:
1. Zepatier
2. Briviact
3. Anthim
4. Taltz
5. Cinqair
6. Defitelio
7. Venclexta
8. Nuplazid
9. Tecentriq
10. Zinbryta
11. Ocaliva
12. Axumin
13. Netspot
14. Epclusa
15. Xiidra
16. Adlyxin
17. Exondys 51
18. Lartruvo
19. Zinplava
20. Eucrisa
21. Rubraca
22. Spinraza
