Therapeutic Antibody Market
The therapeutic antibody market remains one of the fastest growing
segments of the pharmaceutical industry. In 2007, total sales for the
20 antibody drugs currently on the market amounted to approximately US$
25 billion. Eight of these antibodies achieved blockbuster status, with
annual sales for each in excess of US$ 1 billion. Other antibodies are
fast approaching this target.
In the past, therapeutic antibodies were derived from mice or adapted
to the human system by chimerization or humanization.
Only recently, technological advances have introduced fully human
antibodies. Fully human antibodies are recognized as the next
generation and the majority of therapeutic antibodies currently in
development is fully human.
Research Antibody Market
The research antibodies market overall has posted growth rates of
about 10-15% per year over the last years. Scientists around the world
are currently spending some US$ 1 billion annually on such tools. The
market is currently undergoing a period of technological and structural
upheaval. MorphoSys views these developments as strong incentives to
remain active in the market and as an excellent opportunity for future
growth. Until recently, all research antibodies were developed using
outdated, animal-based technologies — a method which has proven less
than ideal.
For today’s customers, speed and diversity of the product range are
becoming increasingly important, and these are both areas of particular
advantage for MorphoSys’s proprietary technology. MorphoSys is confident
that the market as a whole is ready for a technological shift and that
in the mid to long term, animal-based methods will be replaced by in
vitro approaches such as the Company’s HuCAL technology. MorphoSys is
at the forefront of this change.
