Research & Development

Product Pipeline

Arana has a deep pipeline of biological therapeutic compounds (antibodies and other biological agents) at various stages of discovery and development.

The expanded pipeline includes a number of biologics with the potential to enter high value markets for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, bone disease and various cancers.

The Antibody Sector

The antibody sector is the most dynamic area of the pharmaceutical industry. Many multi-nationals, including AstraZeneca and GSK, have recently developed internal antibody capabilities through the acquisition of biotechnology companies.

Antibody drugs are proven and have, in recent years, transformed the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The attractiveness of antibodies can be attributed to:

• Targeting areas of high unmet medical need, meaning there is a high demand
• Accessing target space which cannot be effectively addressed by small molecule drugs, thus having no direct competition
• Minimal threat from generics
• High barriers to entry in terms of intellectual property, regulatory and technology

Many antibody products have reached ‘blockbuster’ status, with sales of more than US$1 billion annually. Collectively monoclonal antibody sales were US$26b in 2007 and are forecast to reach US$49b by 2013*. It is estimated that more than 50% of the growth in all drug sales over the next 5 years is expected to come from antibody products .

*Source Datamonitor