Drug repurposing can be broadly defined as finding new uses for existing medicines and in fact covers different development scenarios depending on the product approval status, the patent situation and the required product changes for use in the new indication. A key strategic advantage of drug repurposing over developing new chemical entities is the substantial amount of available data and knowledge regarding those medicines. The aim of this study was to map data and data sources relevant to the drug repurposing process and to investigate stakeholders’ views on data sharing via databases and public-private partnerships. Scientific and grey literature was collected using defined search queries. Furthermore, 14 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, academia and non-profit organisations from Europe and the US were conducted between October 2017 and January 2018. Various data relevant to decision-making throughout the drug repurposing process were outlined in this study including preclinical, human trial, registration and real-world data. In addition, numerous data sources were identified (e.g., databases with target information, drug information, gene expression information, clinical trial results) and over twenty examples of online databases and partnerships with a specific focus on drug repurposing research were found (e.g., The Drug Repurposing Hub, repoDB, RE:fine Drugs). Various types of data are dispersed amongst numerous sources and stakeholders, thus complicating the creation of a robust evidence base that is needed to repurpose a medicine. Data transparency and partnerships may advance drug repurposing research, but stakeholders’ concerns need to be addressed first. Based on the results from this study, we recommend providing increased guidance on collecting relevant data for decision-making throughout the drug repurposing process and creating a multidisciplinary framework that promotes data sharing whilst protecting the interests of all involved stakeholders.

Drug repurposing in oncology: Tapping into the potential of data sharing and partnership initiatives