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orphan drug
noun
: a drug that is not developed or marketed because its extremely limited use makes it unprofitable
Examples of orphan drug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It was confirmed that an orphan drug can treat necrosis caused by spitting-cobra venom.
—Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
Because these conditions affect so few people, the financial risks and logistical challenges of developing rare disease therapies — also known as orphan drugs — are often prohibitive.
—Joe and Courtney Dion, STAT, 10 June 2024
Some drugmakers are lobbying for orphan drugs to be exempt from the price caps being set by state boards.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 22 Mar. 2024
One bill, dubbed the ORPHAN Cures Act, would allow an orphan drug to avoid negotiation as long as it is approved exclusively for rare diseases.
—Rachel Cohrs Reprints, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for orphan drug
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orphan drug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1981, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near orphan drug
Cite this Entry
“Orphan drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orphan%20drug. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
orphan drug
noun
: a drug that is not developed or marketed because its extremely limited use (as in the treatment of a rare disease) makes it unprofitable
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