MAbs are hottest segment of biotech industry

Looking for the hottest segment of the biotech industry? Then take a look at monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A new Datamonitor report projects 14 percent annual growth in the market for the antibody drugs, which mimic the body's own immune system. That's by far the fastest-growing segment of the industry. MAbs currently generate global revenues of around $20 billion and include such blockbusters as Avastin, Herceptin, Remicade, Rituxan, Humira and Erbitux.

A major revolution in the mAb market came when drug developers moved away from murine (mouse) antibodies to partially or fully humanized antibodies, which are safer and more effective and allowed mAbs to gain wider usage among patients. And many current mAb therapies are effective for a large number of diseases, making them even more attractive to drug developers.

- check out the Datamonitor report for more

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