Evolution of Platform Technology in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The platform technology in the pharmaceutical industry evolved gradually. In the 80s

and 90s, the primary focus was on to create and operate the screening platform so that

molecules of sufficient capabilities could be found and finding the right molecule no

longer remains a limitation.

In the last decade, this focus gets shifted. Now the main focus is on reducing the

attrition in clinic by using platforms to improve predictive toxicology. Several

companies developed many preclinical efficacy models, metabolic platforms for

predictive toxicology.

Current Scenario

Nowadays the high running and operating cost of these platforms make companies

collaborate together to develop a platform and then share the platform among

themselves. This leads to an increase in the capability of a company to afford more

expensive tool than it can afford individually.

But the question that platform technologies are boon or bane for pharma companies

can only be answered after estimating profit and investment balance. Pharma

companies even small companies can make platform technology their friend by keeping

the following factors in consideration while running or operating a platform:

i. Type of technology required

ii. Prior knowledge about the product

iii. Market demand for technology or drug product

iv. Chance of failure

v. Time limitation

vi. Competitors in the market

vii. Other available platforms and their efficiency

viii. Staff needed for running the platform

ix. Benefit–risk analysis of used resources and result required

Examples of Platform Technologies Used in the Pharmaceutical Industry

i. Immunotherapy platform for treating a range of cancers

ii. Platform technology for targeted drug delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract

iii. Tumour-targeting technology

iv. Platform technology for speeding discovery and development of marine-inspired

therapeutics

v. Platform technology for developing DNA-based vaccines for infectious disease

vi. Platform technology for developing therapeutic antibodies

vii. Bio-molecular platform to design multiple DNA RNA based therapies for diseases.

SUPAC Guidelines and Platform Technology 39

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain site changes mentioned under SUPAC guidelines.