Abstract
Research Objectives
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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