Germany's VFA sets out 2009 pharma goals

Cornelia Yzer, the managing director of Germany's research-based pharmaceutical association, the VFA, has set out the sector's position  on R&D targets for 2009. "In the course of the year, research-based  pharmaceutical companies will once again open up new therapeutic  opportunities for patients with severe diseases," she said. Ms Yzer  highlighted oncology as an area where agents are nearing approval for  cancers of the breast, lung, prostate, ovary and bone as well as  leukemia.

The VFA chief listed other conditions for which new or improved  treatments can be expected in the current year. She said: "several new  compounds are under review against rheumatoid arthritis and other  inflammation diseases. This is good news for those patients for whom the  available compounds are not sufficiently effective." Three new  antibiotics are also due to meet final clearance in Germany, with  methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus a particular target, while  new influenza vaccines are also in late-stage development.