The Journey of a Drug
From laboratory discovery to your pharmacy — click each step to learn more.
Total average: 10–15 years from discovery to your pharmacy
Click any phase above to learn more
The Big Picture
~10%
of drugs that enter trials get approved
10–15
years from lab to pharmacy
$1–2B
cost to develop one drug
1
approved drug for ADPKD (tolvaptan)
What This Means for PKD Patients
Currently, tolvaptan (Jynarque) is the only FDA-approved treatment specifically for ADPKD. The drugs on our pipeline page represent the next wave. Based on typical timelines:
Phase 3 drugs
Metformin, Dapagliflozin, Farabursen
3–5 years
to potential approval
Phase 2 drugs
ABBV-CLS-628, VX-407, Tirzepatide
5–8 years
to potential approval
Phase 1 drugs
AZD1613, PYC-003
8–12 years
to potential approval
Timelines can be shortened via Breakthrough Therapy designation or exceptionally strong results.
Note: Success rates and timelines are industry averages based on FDA data and published research. Individual drugs may progress faster or slower. This is not medical advice.