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As a group,
autoimmune diseases represent one of the most intractable families of
conditions facing medical science. The complexities and genetic
underpinnings of the human immune response result in a set of disease
targets that are at once physiologically ubiquitous and highly
individualized. Until recently, autoimmune disease patients were given
little hope for an effective treatment. But the convergence of
improved elucidation of autoimmune disease mechanisms and the
availability of recombinant cytokines has led to systemic treatments
that, while not devoid of side effects, have demonstrated the ability
to control autoimmune reactions in a significant number of patients. A
number of potentially important pipeline drugs hold the promise of
future improvements in patient outcomes. This study analyzes current
autoimmune therapeutics and assesses the next-generation of candidates
and their probable impact on treatment options and the competitive
landscape.
Publication: February 2008 |
