The number of antibody-based medicines will climb dramatically

The number of antibodies in clinical development has leapt over the past six years and in 2004 hundreds are currently making their way through trials in what surely will be a spate of new product introductions beginning in 2004 and continuing over the next 10 years.

The number of antibody-based medicines will climb dramatically, offering improved therapeutic options for a host of diseases and re-aligning the drug industry through product introductions by antibody companies and the strategic alliances they foster with larger companies to develop and commercialize new products.

In recognition of this fact, the 3rd Annual Antibody World Summit, a three-day conference and networking event, is scheduled to kick off on July 19 in Philadelphia.

The event is attended by hundreds of industry and academic researchers, business development, other high-level executives, and service providers from the world pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, Strategic Research Institute announces.

The meeting in 2004 offers parallel sessions on discovery/development, manufacturing/production, and partnering/business development.

The business development climate for antibodies is very robust as Big Pharma is increasingly given to in-licensing antibodies to buttress dwindling pipelines.

Other companies, especially biotech powerhouses like Amgen, Genentech, and Biogen IDEC are bringing novel molecules to market themselves, and others will surely follow.

Antibody development efforts target many important diseases such as cancer, infection, inflammation, and autoimmune disease. The conference is studded with receptions, dinners, an exposition, a poster session, and other socializing events during its course to promote networking among researchers, production specialists, and business development personnel.

2004 first morning keynotes are as follows: JP Morgan, Genentech, the FDA, Biogen IDEC, Baxter BioSciences, and the investor community. The meeting is then tracked so that attendees have three concurrent session options to choose from during the meeting.

The exposition is just opening. Sponsors include BioWa and Vaccinex, and the exhibit hall is beginning to fill up with booths from companies like ICOS, Dowpharma, Avid Biosciences, Laureate Pharma, and UniCrop. To request the agenda, contact Mark Alexay at [email protected] and include your company or academic affiliation. A link may be provided or the agenda sent as a PDF file. The early registration deadline is May 28. Contact Mark Alexay at [email protected] or 212.967.0095, extension 251 to register for the exposition and/or become a conference sponsor. http://www.srinstitute.com/