Biopharmaceuticals seen as future of drug development

A new report suggests that biopharmaceutical products are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to traditional drug development techniques.

According to the UK’s national bioprocessing network, bioProcessUK, 30 biopharmaceutical products developed by UK companies using cell-based manufacturing techniques could be approved by 2012, reports Drugresearcher.com.

Biopharmaceutical development involves the transformation of a candidate drug into a biopharmaceutical product using living cells as their manufacturing unit.

It is a complex and costly procedure. But one that an estimated 50 UK companies are involved in, second only to the US.

“The UK bioprocessing sector could deliver up to 30 new biopharmaceuticals over the next seven years,” Tony Bradshaw, bioProcessUK director, told Drugresearcher.com.

“This will only be possible if we ensure that the UK is the best environment for these companies, with adequate funding, infrastructure and supportive regulation.”

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