Biotech Breakthroughs Cause Considerable Commotion 9-4-2007
While the 1900s will be remembered by industrial historians as the Information Technology Era and the Physics Era, the 2000s will most likely be marked as the Biotechnology Era because rapid advances in biotechnology will completely revolutionize many aspects of life in coming decades. Global trends are affecting the biotech industry in a big way. Post 9/11, an emphasis is being placed by government agencies on the prevention of bioterror risks, such as attacks by the spread of anthrax. This factor, combined with global concern about the possible spread of avian flu, has been a significant boost to vaccine research and production. Meanwhile, the rapid rise of offshoring and globalization is contributing to the movement of research, development and clinical trials away from the U.S., U.K. and France into lower cost technology centers in India and elsewhere. In fact, biotech firms are rising rapidly in India, China, Singapore and South Korea that will provide serious future competition to older companies in the West. According to a recent reports released by Plunkett Research, Ltd., some other exciting trends include:
- Gene Therapies and Patients' Genetic Profiles Promise a Personalized Approach to Medicine. Scientists now believe that almost all diseases have some genetic component. Understanding of human genetics will soon lead to breakthroughs in gene therapy for many ailments.
- Breakthrough Drug Delivery Systems Evolve In the near future, there may be an implantable microchip, controlled by a miniature computer, capable of releasing variable doses of multiple potent medications over an extended period, potentially up to one year.
- Stem Cells-A New Era of Regenerative Medicine Looms. Many firms are conducting product development and research in the areas of skin replacement, vascular tissue replacement and bone grafting or regeneration. Stem cells, as well as transgenic organs harvested from pigs, are under study for use in humans.
To find out more about these exciting trends and others, check out Plunkett's Biotech & Genetics Industry Almanac 2008, or go to www.plunkettresearch.com and sign up for a subscription to Plunkett's completely up-to-date online database!
About Plunkett Research, Ltd.
Plunkett Research, Ltd. is a leading publisher of complete business research and analysis resources, designed to enable professionals in marketing, research and finance to access complete trends analysis, statistics, technology analysis and financial analysis of the world's most exciting industries. For more information, visit www.plunkettresearch.com, or call 713.932.0000.