Development of partnerships between the biopharmaceutical industry and the world anti-doping agency

Abstract

Recent cases of doping in elite sports have shown that drugs in development have been misappropriated during clinical trials and supplied to athletes or members of their entourage with a view to being used for performance-enhancing purposes. Certain innovative drugs, in particular those with chemical structures similar to endogenous substances, are especially difficult to detect. It requires substantial time and investment by antidoping authorities to develop detection methods that can then be integrated into the routine antidoping analysis of WADA-accredited laboratories. In a bid to facilitate detection methods for drugs in development that have doping potential, WADA has created partnerships and engaged in collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as with the related biopharmaceutical associations. The rationale is to bring about an exchange of information before these drugs have completed their clinical development and become commercially available. This exchange of information has already proven to be of great value to the antidoping authorities, while it has also allowed the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to benefit from WADA’s experience in the risk-management of their substances in development and the possibility of counterfeiting by illegal laboratories and unscrupulous companies. This approach continues to expand as more companies embrace the collaborative model. The ultimate aim always will be to deter and prevent athletes from abusing these drugs, because such abuse poses a very real risk to their health and continues to be a major threat to clean athletes and clean sport. None declared.