Monoclonal antibodies: magic bullets with a hefty price tag

Sales of monoclonal antibodies are projected to reach more than $160bn in the US alone over the next few years so is it any wonder that drug companies fiercely protect their profits? Allen Shaughnessy considers why these unique and complex drugs are so eyewateringly expensive

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ (Online) 2012-12, Vol.345 (dec12 1), p.e8346-e8346
Main Author: Shaughnessy, Allen F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alemtuzumab
Angiogenesis Inhibitors - economics
Angiogenesis Inhibitors - therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - economics
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - therapeutic use
Antigens
Antineoplastic Agents - economics
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Bevacizumab
Biological products
Brand names
Cancer therapies
Clinical Trials as Topic
Diabetic retinopathy
Disease
Drug dosages
Drug Industry
Humans
Immune system
Immunoglobulins
Immunosuppression - adverse effects
Interferon
Leukemia
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell - drug therapy
Lymphocytes
Macular degeneration
Macular Degeneration - drug therapy
Monoclonal antibodies
Multiple myeloma
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy
Off-Label Use
Opportunistic Infections - etiology
Patients
Pharmaceutical industry
Prescription drugs
Ranibizumab
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Description
Summary:Sales of monoclonal antibodies are projected to reach more than $160bn in the US alone over the next few years so is it any wonder that drug companies fiercely protect their profits? Allen Shaughnessy considers why these unique and complex drugs are so eyewateringly expensive
ISSN:0959-8138
1756-1833
1756-1833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.e8346