Antibody Technology Developments (Technical Insights) - Biologics Market Research

Antibody Technology Developments (Technical Insights)

Published Date: September 2005
Published By: Frost & Sullivan
Page Count: 117
Order Code: R1-4606
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DESCRIPTION

Limited Efficacy of Conventional Therapies Kindle Interest in Antibody Technology
The limited efficacy of conventional therapies, especially in the case of several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, is creating a strong demand for safe and effective alternate treatments. Considering this, monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the treatment of not only autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, but also cardiovascular and other infectious diseases. Crucially, in furthering research and overcoming challenges related to the humanization of antibodies of murine origin, technology developers have successfully developed several antibody humanization techniques. These techniques remove the immunogenicity of the murine antibody in humans, thereby solving the problem of human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) response.
This Technical Insight study provides insights into developments in antibody technology. It identifies and analyzes emerging technologies and novel applications of existing ones in the context of antibody technology developments. Also, the study endeavors to cover advances in R&D, product development, and the regulatory aspects related to applications of antibodies. Being a global study, the research service has been categorized into findings that fall within the North American, European, and Asia Pacific regions.
Increasing Elderly Population Drives Demand for Immunotherapies
The expected increase in elderly population in industrial nations over the next two decades is likely to be the most important factor driving the demand for immunotherapies. While other autoimmune disorders and age-related illnesses such as arthritis, Alzheimer?s, as well as Parkinson?s are equally affecting the quality of life, the mortality from cancer, diabetes, liver, and kidney diseases still remains high. Considering this, cancer, which has been poorly served by traditional chemotherapies, represents a major area of opportunity for biotech firms to develop immunotherapeutic products.
Among the many advances in antibody technologies, scientists at Jefferson Medical College have used tobacco plants to produce Mabs - tiny guided protein missiles that can target and hunt down cancer cells. The plants promise to provide a cheaper, faster method of producing anticancer antibodies, raising hopes that the technology can one day be used in humans. "Similarly, the Dutch biotechnology firm Crucell N.V recently announced the discovery of a monoclonal antibody against the West Nile virus, which causes a fatal form of encephalitis in humans," says the analyst of this research service. "The company expects that this antibody may provide a route to prophylaxis, providing passive immunity in the event of an outbreak and, possibly, therapy for patients who might otherwise develop encephalitis."
Capital Access Remains Crucial to Furthering Development
Despite decreases in regulatory approval times in the United States and the European Union (EU), there has been a substantial increase in the time biopharmaceuticals spend in clinical development. Hence, considering the high cost of drug development and the length of time it takes to receive drug approvals, access to capital is likely to be critical to furthering research and commercializing subsequent findings. Most firms do not have a product on the market that can be used to generate revenues and are instead dependent on funds from the venture capitals, public equity markets, and strategic alliances used to share development costs and spread risk.
"Although Mab therapies are relatively expensive and often used as second or third-line treatments for diseases, the efficacy and specificity of Mabs make them an important part of the therapeutic landscape," says the analyst. "Several MAbs have already attained more than $1 billion in annual revenues and several others that are at different stages of clinical testing are expected to enter the global market by 2010."