PLUNKETT'S BIOTECH & GENETICS
INDUSTRY ALMANAC, the fourth edition of our guide to the biotech
and genetics field, is designed as a general source for researchers
of all types.
The data and areas of interest covered are intentionally
broad, ranging from the ethical questions facing biotechnology,
to emerging technology, to an in-depth look at the 450 major
for-profit firms (which we call “THE BIOTECH
450”) within the many industry sectors that
make up the biotechnology and genetics arena.
This reference book is designed to be a general
source for researchers. It is especially intended to assist
with market research, strategic planning, employment searches,
contact or prospect list creation (be sure to see the export
capabilities of the accompanying CD-ROM that is available
to book and eBook buyers) and financial research, and as a
data resource for executives and students of all types.
PLUNKETT'S BIOTECH & GENETICS INDUSTRY
ALMANAC takes a rounded approach for the general
reader. This book presents a complete overview of the entire
biotechnology and genetics system (see “How To Use This
Book”). For example, you will find trends in the biopharmaceutical
markets, along with easy-to-use charts and tables on all facets
of biotechnology in general: from the sales and profits of
the major drug companies to the amounts of time required in
the various stages of drug approval.
THE BIOTECH 450 is our unique
grouping of the biggest, most successful corporations in all
segments of the global biotechnology and genetics industry.
Tens of thousands of pieces of information, gathered from
a wide variety of sources, have been researched and are presented
in a unique form that can be easily understood. This section
includes thorough indexes to THE BIOTECH 450,
by geography, industry, sales, brand names, subsidiary names
and many other topics. (See Chapter 4.)
Especially helpful is the way in which PLUNKETT'S
BIOTECH & GENETICS INDUSTRY ALMANAC enables readers
who have no business or scientific background to readily compare
the financial records and growth plans of large biotech companies
and major industry groups. You’ll see the mid-term financial
record of each firm, along with the impact of earnings, sales
and strategic plans on each company’s potential to fuel
growth, to serve new markets and to provide investment and
employment opportunities.
No other source provides this book’s easy-to-understand
comparisons of growth, expenditures, technologies, corporations
and many other items of great importance to people of all
types who may be studying this, one of the most exciting industries
in the world today.
By scanning the data groups and the unique indexes,
you can find the best information to fit your personal research
needs. The major growth companies in biotechnology and genetics
are profiled and then ranked using several different groups
of specific criteria. Which firms are the biggest employers?
Which companies earn the most profits? These things and much
more are easy to find.
In addition to individual company profiles,
an overview of biotechnology markets and trends is provided.
This book’s job is to help you sort through easy-to-understand
summaries of today’s trends in a quick and effective
manner.
Whatever your purpose for researching the biotechnology
and genetics field, you’ll find this book to be a valuable
guide. Nonetheless, as is true with all resources, this volume
has limitations that the reader should be aware of:
- Financial data and other corporate information
can change quickly. A book of this type can be no more current
than the data that was available as of the time of editing.
Consequently, the financial picture, management and ownership
of the firm(s) you are studying may have changed since the
date of this book. For example, this almanac includes the
most up-to-date sales figures and profits available to the
editors as of mid 2005. That means that we have typically
used corporate financial data as of late-2004.
- Corporate mergers, acquisitions and
downsizing are occurring at a very rapid rate. Such events
may have created significant change, subsequent to the publishing
of this book, within a company you are studying.
- Some of the companies in THE BIOTECH
450 are so large in scope and in variety of business
endeavors conducted within a parent organization, that we
have been unable to completely list all subsidiaries, affiliations,
divisions and activities within a firm’s corporate
structure.
- This volume is intended to be a general
guide to a vast industry. That means that researchers should
look to this book for an overview and, when conducting in-depth
research, should contact the specific corporations or industry
associations in question for the very latest changes and
data. Where possible, we have listed contact names, toll-free
telephone numbers and World Wide Web site addresses for
the companies, government agencies and industry associations
involved so that the reader may get further details without
unnecessary delay.
- Tables of industry data and statistics used
in this book include the latest numbers available at the
time of printing, generally through late-2004. In a few
cases, the only complete data available was for earlier
years.
- We have used exhaustive efforts to locate
and fairly present accurate and complete data. However,
when using this book or any other source for business and
industry information, the reader should use caution and
diligence by conducting further research where it seems
appropriate. We wish you success in your endeavors, and
we trust that your experience with this book will be both
satisfactory and productive.
Jack W. Plunkett
Houston, Texas
August 2005
