Fitch projects 23 new drug filings for 2010

Looking at the new drug approval pace so far, Fitch Ratings estimates that drug authorities will field 23 new drug filings by the end of the year--the same slow pace seen over the past few years. The FDA has OK'd six new molecular entities and one vaccine while the European Medicines Agency authorized the marketing of five NMEs and two vaccines. Fitch also expects that licensing will be favored over consolidation deals in 2010. Release