Economic Aspects of Small and Large Molecule Pharmaceutical Technologies

Abstract

There are differences between small and large molecule pharmaceutical technologies from a scientific perspective. However, there do not appear to be measurable differences with respect to the economic characteristics of small and large molecule pharmaceutical projects. The economic characteristics underlying developing, manufacturing, and marketing products based on small and large molecule technologies appear to be similar. The growing importance of large molecule technologies in addressing unmet medical needs will create a need for additional research on identifying material economic differences that may require changes in public policies.