FDA’s drug repurposing initiative signals renewed focus The FDA announced interest in advancing drug repurposing programs across a wide variety of conditions, though challenges remain. Written byAllison Whitten, PhD

https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/fda-s-drug-repurposing-initiative-signals-renewed-focus-17247?utm_campaign=DDN_Newsletter_Dose&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Zed8lEO6wvNq06ptKUmwv4LviDVnZjWRot9bUlt0OyLAgCabVWv_57tWWSRpeH5kQ6XK9DxXMMn2K7uc7yqSOJgumjA&_hsmi=423648884&utm_content=423648884&utm_source=hs_email It’s a well-known fact within drug discovery that most drugs fail. But one failure does not portend a second; old drugs can be repurposed for new indications that work much better with better safety profiles. Thalidomide is a famous example. First used in the 1950s to combat morning sickness in pregnant women, the drug tragically led to severe birth defects in thousands of babies. But after studying its mechanisms of actions, scientists realized they could apply thalidomide’s anti-angiogenic properties to stop the growth of blood vessels in hematological cancers. After it was shown that thalidomide can lead to complete remission in some patients with multiple myeloma, the drug has become a key drug prescribed for the disease.