Changes in the health sector: from drugs to personalized medicine.

Research

The research process has changed. It switched from the experimental system (“trial, observation, error” in the 90’s) to a scientific mode with a real analysis of the problem. 

For example, microarrays are an essential instrument for understanding the genetic origin of the illness and to develop specific treatments. 

From Chemical Synthesis to Biotech Drugs 

Traditional drugs will be replaced by biotech molecules.

From chemotherapy to :

• Monoclonal antibodies

• Cancer Vaccines 

• Regenerative medicine

• Proteasome inhibitors 

• Telomerase inhibitors (experimental phase)

• RNA-based drugs

• Genetic therapies 

Personalized Medicine

All patients get their ideal drug based on their individual genetic profile, for example two people with lung cancer may need different treatments because they have different profiles. 

We are going towards the end of adopting only one procedure for one disease. In the lung cancer example, the ALK gene (about 2% of the cases) will benefit from a different and specific procedure.

Biotech, Investing in a High Growth Sector

WHY Biotechnology is mainly used in the Pharmaceutical Industry

• Health is of prime importance

• Biotechnology can finally cure real and serious diseases successfully

• Biotech treatments are more efficient than the classical ones with fewer side effects.

• Independent of the global economic environment. The sector has a low correlation with the stock market.

• Constant development

• High Growth Sector

• Strong patent protection especially for rare diseases. 

• Strong and incredible investment in R&D, so in continuous development sustaining important growth 

• Important demand of therapies, new medications, solutions in general

• General ageing of the population, new generation that know they can grow old in better condition (illness like diabetes, renal insufficiency … can be treated) 

So… WHY INVEST ?

• In 2000 there was only one biotech drug in the top ten drugs listed by revenues. Soon this top 10 will be mainly occupied by biotech drugs instead of traditional ones. 

• The highest and steadiest R&D spending is in the biotech sector 

• Double-digit revenue growth rate

• Switch from traditional pharmaceutical technology to biotechnology : Big pharmaceutical groups such as Novartis, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Roche are discarding new investment in the traditional pharmaceutical technologies to embrace Biotechnology. 

• The majority of the molecules in early stage development derive from biotechnology, especially for serious diseases 

• strong demand for biotech medication :  better solutions, ageing of the population, growing number of diseases (serious & orphan) treated.