The Influence of Knowledge Originality on Technology Convergence in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Evidence from FDA-Approved Drugs

Abstract

The pharmaceutical sector, characterized by its research intensity and strict regulatory frameworks, depends critically on effective knowledge management and the integration of diverse technologies to sustain innovation. Yet, limited research has examined how knowledge dynamics influence the trajectory of technological convergence in this domain. Addressing this gap, the present study explores the impact of knowledge originality across four dimensions—technological domains, organizational boundaries, industrial sectors, and geographical regions—on innovation outcomes. Leveraging FDA-approved patent data from the USPTO, we employ forward and backward citation analyses and multiple regression models to assess the role of each originality dimension in shaping technology convergence. Our findings reveal that technology originality broadens convergence by increasing both technological distance and speed. Similarly, industry originality expands the convergence scope, although its impact on the rate is less pronounced. In contrast, country originality introduces coordination challenges that hinder both convergence distance and speed, while assignee originality has a limited effect in this highly specialized sector. By introducing technology convergence distance and speed as performance metrics, the study offers a novel framework to understand innovation pathways in pharmaceuticals. These insights advance knowledge-based innovation theory and guide R&D managers in developing effective and adaptive innovation strategies.