Incubate launches "Small Molecules, Big Voices" series to highlight the value of small molecule drugs
September 09 2024 - 2:49PM
Today, Incubate launched the "Small Molecules, Big Voices" video
series to illustrate the importance of small molecule drugs to
patients, investors, and policymakers.
"Small molecules are a pillar of America's world-leading life
sciences ecosystem, accounting for 90% of all medicines on the
market today,"[1] said Incubate executive director John Stanford.
"These innovative therapies have saved countless lives to date, and
with the right policy decisions, we have no doubt that the future
of small molecule drug development will be as bright as its storied
past."
The "Small Molecules, Big Voices" video series will feature
commentary from lawmakers, life sciences venture capitalists,
biotech CEOs, industry experts, and patients. These stakeholders
will explain why continued investment in small molecule development
is essential for maintaining a robust life sciences ecosystem that
delivers cutting-edge therapies to patients in need. Incubate will
release a new video daily during the week of September 9.
Small molecules hold incredible therapeutic promise for a
variety of devastating conditions. For instance, due to their size,
small molecule drugs can penetrate the microscopic "blood-brain
barrier," allowing them to target specific sites within the brain.
This approach has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of
brain cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological
disorders.[2]
Further, small molecule drugs can typically be taken orally at
home, while larger molecule "biologics" often have to be
administered via injection or infusion under a doctor's
supervision. While both kinds of therapies are important, small
molecules are valuable therapeutic options for patients who live
far from a clinic or who face transportation barriers.
Unfortunately, recent policy changes could discourage
early-stage life sciences venture capitalists from investing in
small molecules by putting small molecules and biologics on
different timelines for Medicare price controls. Congress is
currently considering a bipartisan bill, the Ensuring Pathways to
Innovative Cures (EPIC) Act, that would amend this harmful
provision and protect investment incentives for all therapies, no
matter their molecular size.
"Small molecules and biologics are equally important, but
incentivizing one over the other could deprive patients of
life-saving treatments and cures down the line," Stanford said.
"Medical need -- not arbitrary policy distinctions -- should
determine which medicines life sciences firms invest in."
The "Small Molecules, Big Voices" video series is available on
Incubate's LinkedIn, X, and YouTube page.
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About IncubateIncubate is a 501(c)(4) organization of venture
capital firms representing the patient, corporate, and investment
communities. Our primary aim is to educate policymakers on the role
of venture capital in bringing promising treatments to patients in
need.
[1]https://cahc.net/the-inflation-reduction-act-the-small-molecule-penalty/#:~:text=Small%20molecules%20make%20up%2090,leading%20to%20higher%20patient%20compliance.
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4064947/
Lucia Orlandi
Incubate
(202) 970-9745
lucia@keybridge.biz