Abstract
Vaccines Set to Become Fastest Growing Segment in the Pharmaceuticals Industry
Recent advances in immunology and vaccinology have increased the hope that new vaccines will
target other diseases such as cancers, immune system disorders, allergies, autoimmune diseases and
even cocaine and nicotine addictions. A large number of vaccines under development prove to make the
vaccines market an interesting and dynamic one over the next five years. There are currently 1,000
vaccines in research and development (R&D) worldwide, and in the future, they are expected to be
a cost-effective alternative to conventional treatment. The developing countries such as India,
China, and Brazil with their significant innovative scientific capabilities and resources are likely
to play a major role in contributing to the global R&D efforts in developing novel vaccines.
Though most of the technologies are currently in the initial stages of development they are
excitingly close to reality.
This Frost & Sullivan research identifies and analyzes novel and emerging vaccine products,
technologies, and delivery systems currently under development. The study tries to cover advances in
R&D, product development, and regulatory aspects that impact the research into vaccines.
Participants can also identify potential collaborators, stay ahead of the competition, and keep
abreast with critical developments.
DNA Vaccines Show Promising Results in Clinical Trials
A major portion of global research efforts is being directed toward developing DNA vaccines.
While DNA vaccines for humans are still in preclinical development or in the early-stage clinical
trials, they show immense potential for effectively targeting HIV, herpes, malaria, and influenza,
meningitis and various types of cancer. Moreover, DNA vaccines have the ability to stimulate potent
immune responses without the drawbacks of conventional vaccines.
"The greatest advantage is that they are noninfectious and can be used for producing
vaccines against diseases such as HIV, where inoculation with a dead or attenuated virus is too
risky," explains the analyst of this research. "In addition, DNA vaccines are inherently
stable and do not require constant refrigeration." These vaccines are expected to be
particularly popular in developing countries since it is feasible to produce and purify large
amounts using simple and inexpensive procedures.
Opportunities Presented by Advances in Biotechnology and Immunology
Rapid advances in biotechnology and immunology have been a constant driving force behind the
development of vaccines. "While a detailed understanding of immune responses has been applied
to different stages of vaccine development, advances in biotechnology based on genomics, DNA
platforms, and delivery systems offer significant opportunities for developing new vaccines and
expanding the number of target diseases," explains the analyst.
Researchers are looking at proteins from genetically engineered plants to create edible vaccines.
Although its commercial viability is yet to be proven, oral vaccination provides a cost-effective
and convenient alternative to conventional vaccines. Moreover, an oral vaccine not only elicits a
good immune response but it is also likely to eliminate the geographic limitations inherent in most
vaccination programs.
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