Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Every year there are approximately 3,000 new cases diagnosed. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated mesothelioma as an “orphan disease” because it is a rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.
The FDA encourages mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceutical companies via the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 to develop mesothelioma drugs and treatment. This “orphan” designation is designed to motivate mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceutical companies to address the need for a orphan drug in a limited, unprofitable market. The FDA can help mesothelioma researchers and pharmaceuticals in a variety of forms:
- Tax incentives;
- Enhanced patent protection and marketing rights;
- Clinical research financial subsidization; and
- Marketing incentives.
The FDA is holding its orphan drug workshop scheduled for February 28 to March 1, 2011 in Claremont, California to help those with the application process. For more information on the FDA Orphan Drug workshop please see the FDA press release.
The Throneberry Law Group takes cases throughout the United States. We will come to you to help you trace the asbestos exposure that caused mesothelioma (or asbestosis or lung cancer). We offer a free consultation at 888-506-1131 to answer your questions, and it costs nothing up front for us to represent you in the lawsuit — we collect no fees unless we recover compensation.
