TY - JOUR U1 - Wissenschaftlicher Artikel A1 - Schuhmacher, Alexander A1 - Gassmann, Oliver A1 - Hinder, Markus T1 - Changing R&D models in research‑based pharmaceutical companies JF - Journal of translational medicine N2 - New drugs serving unmet medical needs are one of the key value drivers of research-based pharmaceutical companies. The efficiency of research and development (R&D), defined as the successful approval and launch of new medicines (output) in the rate of the monetary investments required for R&D (input), has declined since decades. We aimed to identify, analyze and describe the factors that impact the R&D efficiency. Based on publicly available information, we reviewed the R&D models of major research-based pharmaceutical companies and analyzed the key challenges and success factors of a sustainable R&D output. We calculated that the R&D efficiencies of major research-based pharmaceutical companies were in the range of USD 3.2–32.3 billion (2006–2014). As these numbers challenge the model of an innovation-driven pharmaceutical industry, we analyzed the concepts that companies are following to increase their R&D efficiencies: (A) Activities to reduce portfolio and project risk, (B) activities to reduce R&D costs, and (C) activities to increase the innovation potential. While category A comprises measures such as portfolio management and licensing, measures grouped in category B are outsourcing and risk-sharing in late-stage development. Companies made diverse steps to increase their innovation potential and open innovation, exemplified by open source, innovation centers, or crowdsourcing, plays a key role in doing so. In conclusion, research-based pharmaceutical companies need to be aware of the key factors, which impact the rate of innovation, R&D cost and probability of success. Depending on their company strategy and their R&D set-up they can opt for one of the following open innovators: knowledge creator, knowledge integrator or knowledge leverager. Y1 - 2016 UN - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:rt2-opus4-8176 SN - 1479-5876 SS - 1479-5876 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-016-0838-4 DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-016-0838-4 VL - 14 SP - 1 EP - 11 S1 - 11 PB - Springer CY - London ER -