orphan drug

noun
1.
Pharmacology. a drug that remains undeveloped or untested or is otherwise neglected because of limited potential for commercial gain.
Origin
1975-80
orphan drug in Medicine

orphan drug or·phan drug (ôr'fən)
n.
Any of various drugs or biologicals that may be useful in treating disease but are not considered to be commercially viable.

Slang definitions & phrases for orphan drug

orphan drug

noun phrase

A pharmaceutical drug that may not be commercially feasible, though it may be very useful or necessary to a relatively small number of people: Program to Spur ''Orphan'' Drugs Proves a Success (1980s+)