Target Small Firms for Antibiotic Innovation

Analysis of 4,715 drugs entering Phase 1 trials between 1990 and 2012 found that antibiotics were 43% more likely than other drugs to survive Phase 2 and 17% more likely to survive Phase 3, while small and medium-sized companies grew from under 30% to 60% of antibiotic clinical trial sponsors during this period. The authors argue that policies should focus on supporting these smaller firms through targeted R&D tax credits, public-private partnerships, and increased basic research funding rather than extending market exclusivity or lowering regulatory standards.