The year's new drugs and biologics--2006.

This annual series presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2006, 41 new medicines--this figure includes both drugs and biologics for therapeutic use as well as new diagnostic agents and, for the first time this year, an important new herbal medicine--reached their first markets. Drug repositioning continues to have a significant impact, with line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounting for more than 20 of the new medicines launched in 2006. This year's edition of the article also includes several new features: a deeper insight into the five first-in-class drugs launched for the first time last year, providing a better understanding of their novel mechanisms of action; an analysis of the discovery and development periods for the year's new products; a comprehensive overview of drug repositioning as a strategy for extending the life spans of medicines; and an analysis of the market for these new medicines. New generic drug approvals are also reviewed, as well as a brief glimpse at selected drugs and biologics which could reach their first markets in the foreseeable future.