Researchers for Novartis AG say that a better understanding of the role genetics plays in disease has allowed them to significantly cut the amount of research time it takes to prove the effectiveness of a new therapeutic. R&D can now identify smaller groups of patients based on a common genetic variation, increasing their chances of success and reducing their costs.

"Our intention always is to expand it to large populations later," Dr. Mark Fishman, president of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, told analysts gathered at the company's world research HQ in Cambridge, MA. "It's a little bit of the reverse of the standard approach, and it's helped us expedite all of our trials."

Fishman underscored the company's new approach to trials while Novartis officials touted a beefed up pipeline and a better track record of success. Novartis will need all the positive data it can get in order to make up for the blockbusters being lost to generic competition.

- read the article [1] from the AP

ALSO: Eli Lilly says you can count on its belief in the personalized medicine approach to drug development as well. Chair Sidney Taurel says that smaller trials and higher efficacy rates are what R&D is all about these days. Report [2]

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