Clinical trials, progression-speed differentiating features, and swiftness rule of the innovative targets of first-in-class drugs

Analysis of clinical trial timelines can reveal features that facilitate target assessment. We performed a comprehensive analysis of 89 innovative targets from first-in-class drugs approved between 2004-2017. Our study confirmed known druggability characteristics and, more importantly, exposed trial-speed differentiating features related to on-target and off-target effects. We derived a simple rule that correctly identified 75% of “speedy” human targets (those progressing from Phase I to approval within 8 years), which can help prioritize future drug discovery and development efforts.

Recommended citation: Li, Y. H., Li, X. X., Hong, J. J., Wang, Y. X., Fu, J. B., Yang, H., Yu, C. Y., Li, F. C., Hu, J., Xue, W. W., Jiang, Y. Y., Chen, Y. Z., & Zhu, F. (2020). "Clinical trials, progression-speed differentiating features, and swiftness rule of the innovative targets of first-in-class drugs." Briefings in Bioinformatics. 21(2):649-662.
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