Repurposing with Purpose: Accord Healthcare’s Journey in Medicine Innovation

Healthcare innovation can often be portrayed exclusively as groundbreaking new medicines or technologies – but in reality there’s another side to innovation that can be just as impactful for patients and health systems – medicine repurposing.

The Medicines Repurposing Programme is an initiative led by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and NHS England (NHSE), and it represents a significant stride in healthcare innovation.

The programme brings together various UK health agencies, medical charities, and industry stakeholders, like ourselves, to explore new applications for existing medicines, aiming to improve patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

We were thrilled to be involved in the first initiative of this programme. Read the full article to hear what  Jonathan Wilson, Senior Vice President and Susan Lau, Regulatory Clinical Manager at Accord Healthcare said about participating in the first MHRA and NHS England Medicine Repurposing Programme, and share the lessons we learned along the way.

What is the Medicine Repurposing Programme?

“Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way.” Tom Freston

The Medicines Repurposing Programme is a multi-agency effort aimed at identifying and capitalising on new applications for existing medicines, enhancing patient outcomes, experience, and cost-effectiveness. Endorsed by prominent health agencies in the UK, including the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and NHS England (NHSE) and supported by various medical charities, the initiative promotes innovative research and advocates for the licensing of repurposed medicines to ensure equitable access and informed clinical decision-making.

Eligible entities like healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies can propose medicines for program consideration, which are then assessed and prioritised by a steering group for inclusion. The program supports researchers through partnerships and offers advice for NIHR funding applications, working towards systematic medicine repurposing within the NHS.

Strategic Synergy and Visionary Alignment

Our involvement in the Medicine Repurposing Programme aligns perfectly with our extensive therapeutic portfolio. “We have a vested interest across various therapy areas, which positions us well to engage in repurposing discussions,” explains Jonathan Wilson.

This initiative is a natural progression of our existing work, showcasing our agility in adapting to healthcare’s evolving needs.

Enhancing Medicine Accessibility: A Commitment in Practice

Our engagement with the Medicine Repurposing Programme was less about profit and more about doing the right thing. “Why wouldn’t we help use our licence and our people to do the submission?”

This initiative is a direct reflection of our ethos—’We make it better’, prioritising patient needs and working diligently to ensure that essential medicines are accessible to those in need.

Expanding Patient Care Through Medicine Repurposing

In the realm of medicine repurposing, innovation extends beyond new indications for existing drugs. It can also encompass reformulations to expand the patient population. “The scope of repurposing can include modifying a medicine’s form to suit different populations, like creating liquid formulations for easier paediatric administration,” shares Jonathan Wilson.

The challenges are multifaceted: ensuring the new formulation maintains the drug’s efficacy, navigating the intricacies of regulatory approvals, and ultimately, delivering a product that clinicians and patients can trust.

Navigating Challenges in Repurposing Medicine

Our journey through the Medicine Repurposing Programme was one of learning and adaptation. Some of the challenges we overcame included:

Regulatory Navigation
“Regulatory pathways aren’t always straightforward, especially with older medicines where data may not meet current standards,” explains Susan Lau. “We learned the importance of early engagement with regulatory bodies, which is critical to clarify the data requirements for repurposing and to streamline the submission process.”

Commercial Considerations
“ Commercial considerations naturally often guide our industry’s direction and strategic choices need to be made.” Jonathan observes. “On this particular programme, we were fortunate to have available existing clinical trial data to support the new licensing application. Although we had some challenges, the data was invaluable, as it allowed us to focus our efforts and resources on the regulatory process rather than on generating new clinical evidence. If we also had to conduct clinical trials, we would have considered this differently”

Looking ahead, for repurposing efforts where clinical data isn’t readily available, we believe it is worth considering partnerships with charities or other organisations that may have the means to support such research. These collaborations could be essential for companies looking to repurpose medicines, ensuring that the investment required to bring a repurposed drug to market remains manageable and aligns with the goal of expanding patient access to important therapies.

Strengthening Partnerships for Better Outcomes

Collaboration has been a cornerstone of our success. “Fantastic support from the industry body and NHS England” was crucial, Jonathan recalls. Establishing effective communication between various partners required concerted effort and often meant navigating differing agendas and priorities. Our success came from fostering a collaborative spirit and shared goal orientation with all parties involved.

Embracing Repurposing: A Vision for Tomorrow’s Healthcare

As we reflect on our journey through the Medicine Repurposing Programme, we have not only forged a path for our future endeavours but also illuminated the way for the broader industry. In partnership with organisations like the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA), we are showcasing the power of resilience, the necessity of collaboration, and the imperative to keep patient welfare at the heart of our efforts.

The lessons we’ve learned and the successes we’ve achieved are stepping stones for the industry, promising a future where innovation is not limited to the newest discoveries but also found in the renewed potential of existing therapies.

Job bag UK-05786 Date of prep: January 2024