Antibody drugs were a $24 billion business in 2007. Although most pharmaceuticals are chemically synthesized small molecules, antibodies are large and complex proteins (immunoglobulins) that act as the human body’s own weapons against infections, diseases and abnormal cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) mimic the body’s immune system with the antibody working as the drug molecule; only MAbs are engineered artificially outside the body, in the laboratory, rather than by a person’s own immune system. Furthermore, MAbs are engineered to binding to one particular antigen only. MAbs are thus important tools for medicine as extremely targeted therapies for treating patients with severe diseases - especially autoimmune conditions and cancers.
This report analyzes the activities of the leading biopharmaceutical companies with antibody-based drug products currently on the market or scheduled for introduction soon. The focus is MAb therapeutics used for treating a disease or condition (as opposed to MAbs used as a diagnostic or for research). The report details the status of drug makers' antibody pipelines; their alliances, M&As and investments to develop and commercialize new MAb drugs; and their standing in the battle for market share and bringing a new best-selling drug to patients. Technological progression in the development of antibody and protein-based human therapies is overviewed. This report is part of Fuji-Keizai’s ongoing efforts to track the U.S. and global biopharmaceuticals marketplace.
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