The journey of developing a new drug is as daunting as it is essential. On average, it takes more than a decade and billions of dollars to shepherd a single compound from the lab bench to the patient’s bedside. For many innovators, this path is riddled with high risks and uncertain outcomes.
Enter drug repurposing, the strategy of discovering new therapeutic uses for existing or previously discontinued drugs. This approach has emerged as a powerful way to cut timelines, reduce costs, and provide life-saving treatments for patients who cannot afford to wait.
Why Repurposing Matters
Repurposing draws strength from one simple advantage: we already know much about these drugs. Existing safety and pharmacokinetic data allow researchers to bypass many early-stage hurdles. This opens the door to :
- Faster progression into Phase II and III clinical trials
- Lower R&D expenditure
- Quicker delivery of effective treatments, especially in critical areas such as rare diseases, oncology, and emerging infections
For patients and society, the benefits are profound :
- Faster access to therapies that work
- Reduced healthcare costs through shorter, more efficient development cycles
- Greater global equity, as affordable treatments reach low- and middle-income countries sooner
The CRO’s Role in Repurposing Research
Contract Research Organizations (CROs) play a pivotal role in making repurposing projects a reality. Their expertise and infrastructure bring together the many moving parts required for success:
- Regulatory Expertise – Navigating streamlined pathways like the FDA’s 505(b)(2) and EMA’s well-established use routes.
- Efficient Clinical Trial Design – Using adaptive models and real-world data to prove efficacy faster.
- Global Networks – Identifying trial sites and patient populations across geographies with speed and precision.
- Data Integration & AI – Mining existing clinical datasets for overlooked repurposing opportunities.
- Collaborative Partnerships – Aligning academic institutions, biotech innovators, and pharmaceutical companies on scientific and commercial strategies.
With this multifaceted role, CROs aren’t just service providers, they are catalysts accelerating healthcare to patients’ doorsteps.
Examples of Successful Drug Repurposing
History has already proven how powerful repurposing can be:
- Sildenafil – Once developed for angina, it became a household name as Viagra and is now also approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Thalidomide – Withdrawn after tragic pregnancy-related risks, it found new life treating multiple myeloma and leprosy complications.
- Minoxidil – Originally an antihypertensive, now synonymous with hair regrowth treatments worldwide.
- Remdesivir – Created for Ebola, repurposed in record time to combat COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Each case underscores the same truth: existing drugs hold untapped potential waiting to be used by new science.
Path Forward
Repurposing is no longer just an economical option, it is a humanitarian imperative. The right partnerships and scientific rigor can transform yesterday’s drugs into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
At Raptim Research, we take pride in being that bridge. With our multidisciplinary teams and global network, we support innovators every step of the way, from feasibility studies to multi-country Phase III trials. Our goal is clear: help deliver proven medicines to new patient populations, faster, safer, and more efficiently.
Repurposing is not simply about reusing old drugs. It is about redefining their potential, and rewriting the future of global healthcare
