INTRODUCTION
STUDY OBJECTIVES
This report updates a BCC report on the same topic, which was published in
June 2000, and has been updated to include the newer products in the market that
use chiral technology, with more emphasis on racemic switching, which is
currently in demand within the industry. Business Communication Company's
(BCC's) goal in conducting this study was to provide an overview to the chiral
market, which seems to be rising at a very fast pace, and to study the present
and future trends of the chiral technologies. The study was also conducted to
examine the market size and leaders, as well as the synthesis, separation, and
analysis of the chiral products. The report deals with topics like what is
chiral technology, what are the current and potential applications of chiral
technology, what is the U.S./worldwide market value of chiral
technology-enabling products, and what is the market value of products emerging
from chiral technology applications. The basic principles underlying the
synthesis, separation, and analysis of chiral products is also discussed, as
well as their usage over a 5-year period from 2003 to 2008. The companies
selling these products were brought to the forefront, and the factors affecting
markets for these products and how those markets are likely to change, are
discussed. Our key objective was to present a comprehensive analysis of the
current market and its future direction in chiral technology, with the emphasis
on use of intermediates and chiral products as pharmaceutical drugs.
REASONS FOR DOING THIS STUDY
The chiral technology market is changing due to regulatory changes and the
demand for single isomers. The key industry objective is now 'racemic
switching.' R&D spending, along with increasing competition, single-isomer
drugs, the international marketplace, and a changing customer base are
contributing to creating a new kind of market for chiral technology. This study
examines almost all of the types of chiral technology markets that will be
affected by these factors. Chiral technology focuses mainly on pharmaceutical
drugs. When drug companies discuss their involvement in many different drug
research and commercialization topics (e.g., rational drug design,
receptor-based drugs, enzyme inhibitors, advanced compound screening, and
small-molecule research), they are generally talking about chiral drugs. The
cardiovascular and anti-infective sectors have a large chiral market. More drugs
are being discovered-antivirals that are chiral in nature. Respiratory and
oncology chiral drugs can also expect a good future in next few years. The
growth by acquisition strategies and the collaborations by companies to gain
better market share is also covered in this report. This study discusses the
strength and weaknesses of the chiral technology market in light of the new
technologies, growing competition, and changing customer needs. The market is
looking into the single enantiomeric forms. To cite an example, consider the
tragedy of thalidomide in 1960s. The drug was prescribed to pregnant women to
counter morning sickness. Tragically, while the (S)-isomer had the desired
antinausea effects, the (R)-form was teratogenic and caused fetal abnormalities,
such as severely underdeveloped limbs. Unfortunately, in the case of
thalidomide, however, giving the pure (S)-enantiomer would not have solved the
problem. The pure isomers of thalidomide racemise within 10 minutes in the
bloodstream, so even the enantiomerically pure drug would not have prevented the
terrible side effects. But there are certain racemates whose enantiomers have
different effects, unless those enantiomers racemise in the body. Scientists are
studying and developing those drugs with single enantiomers that have more
activity than their racemates.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STUDY
This study examines the areas of growth and decline within the chiral
industry, as well as looking at chiral technology from the point of view of
manufacturers as well as the users. We present the various types of synthesis,
separation, and analysis techniques of chiral technology. The regulations
governing their use, technological descriptions and issues, applications, market
factors and potential, and the projected market for 2003 - 2008 are also
studied. This report will be of interest largely to the pharmaceutical industry,
as well as biochemical, pesticide, and research companies interested in new
chiral drugs or compounds. It also contributes by bringing together in one
place much of the information on new products and new technologies in chiral
technology, and serves as a source for estimates about the consumption of
various chiral products.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study encompasses the synthesis, separation, and analysis
of chiral technology. BCC analyzes each technique, and presents insight on
manufacturers, new products, sales estimates, market projections, and market
share information. Technological issues include the latest trends and
development. We have examined the regulations set by government agencies, such
as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and have also covered recent
approvals of chiral drug products. Patents in chiral technology have been dealt
with at large, given their significance.
METHODOLOGY
A comprehensive literature and patent search was conducted. Literature
included technical newsletters and journals, as well as many other sources. The
data was collected through interviews/mails of various analytical, chemical,
pharmaceutical, and biotech companies. This data was complied, and projections
were based on such estimates as the current number of end users, potential end
users, likely unit prices, rates of consumption, and the market trends.
INFORMATION SOURCES
BCC surveyed many companies in order to obtain the data for this study.
Included were manufacturers and the end users of the chiral technology. In
addition to gathering the data from these industries, we also spoke with
industry officials, and consulted newsletters, company literature, and product
literature, as well as a host of technical articles, journals, indexes, and
abstracts. Exhaustive investigations of databases by key terminology were done.
In addition, we compiled data from current financial and trade information, and
government sources. | 
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