Risky Business: Human Genetics Improves Drug Development Success.

A study published in Nature by Matt Nelson and colleagues provides evidence that human genetics is crucial for improving the success rates of drug development. The study found that less than 10% of drugs that enter clinical development succeed, resulting in high costs for drug developers. Drugs often fail due to lack of efficacy or adverse effects, which can be better understood through human genetics. By including human genetics evidence in the decision-making process, drug companies can double their success rate from 10% to 20%. The study also highlights the need for continued investment in human genetics research to further improve drug success rates. However, it is important to note that the identification of an association between a gene and a disease does not necessarily mean that the gene is a good drug target. The study has some limitations, such as hindsight and selection biases, but real-world experiences of drug companies implementing genetics-based drug target prioritization may offer further confirmation of the impact of human genetics on clinical success. [Extracted from the article]