Market Insight - Drug repositioning: a new strategy for success

The repositioning of drugs for new clinical indications is becoming an increasingly prominent development strategy because it can reduce development risk as well as both the time and investment required to bring a product to market. Previously exclusive to pharmaceutical companies working to expand the applications of their marketed drugs, repositioning (also known as repurposing, reprofiling, therapeutic switching, or developing 'second use' indications) has emerged as an industry in its own right, encompassing both technology and drug companies. Today, companies involved in repositioning are charging for their services, establishing collaborative agreements and using the strategy to develop their own pipelines.

In addition to marketed drugs, compounds that have failed late (Phase II or III) clinical stage development for reasons other...