orphan drug
noun
: a drug that is not developed or marketed because its extremely limited use makes it unprofitable
Examples of orphan drug in a Sentence
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Last September, the FDA granted orphan drug status to its treatment for neuroendocrine carcinoma, a designation which helps drug companies working on potentially life-saving drugs, where treatments are lacking, get to market more efficiently.
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Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
The drug has been granted orphan drug and fast track designations by the FDA and is eligible for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, which could shorten the time to a potential approval, according to a press release.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2024
It was confirmed that an orphan drug can treat necrosis caused by spitting-cobra venom.
—Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
Because these conditions affect so few people, the financial risks and logistical challenges of developing rare disease therapies — also known as orphan drugs — are often prohibitive.
—Joe and Courtney Dion, STAT, 10 June 2024
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Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
The drug has been granted orphan drug and fast track designations by the FDA and is eligible for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, which could shorten the time to a potential approval, according to a press release.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2024
It was confirmed that an orphan drug can treat necrosis caused by spitting-cobra venom.
—Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
Because these conditions affect so few people, the financial risks and logistical challenges of developing rare disease therapies — also known as orphan drugs — are often prohibitive.
—Joe and Courtney Dion, STAT, 10 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for orphan drug
Cite this Entry
“Orphan drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orphan%20drug. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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