 Spectrum --
April 2008
 Introduction:
Protein kinases--intracellular enzymes that modulate cellular
functions--play a pivotal role in the signal transduction processes that
regulate many key biological processes. Abnormalities in these signal
transduction pathways are implicated in the etiology of numerous diseases,
which has motivated pharmaceutical companies to pursue protein kinases as drug
targets--a trend that now accounts for 20-30% of all drug discovery programs.
Get the Answers You Need to Shape Your Strategy:
 The protein kinase family is a mostly unexploited class of
drug targets. Novartis’s kinase inhibitor Gleevec, approved in 2001 for CMS,
boasts sales of $3 billion worldwide in 2007. What effect has Gleevec’s
success had on the development of new kinase inhibitors?
Most major pharmaceutical companies are avidly pursuing kinase
inhibitor development both internally and/or in collaboration with biotech
companies. Which Big Pharma players have kinase inhibitor development
programs underway? What are some of the key collaborations and alliances that
have formed around kinase targets? What is the current state of the kinase
inhibitor development pipeline?
Whereas development of kinase inhibitors in the past has been
hindered by the perceived complexity of the process, technological advances
will drive the future development of kinase inhibitors. What are some of the
technologies that have aided the development of new kinase inhibitors? How has
technology altered the choice of drug targets and disease indications being
pursued by pharma companies?
At present, oncology patients have derived the most benefit
from kinase inhibitors, although the potential exists for patients with
longer-term chronic conditions to benefit. What chronic conditions are under
investigation for treatment with kinase inhibitors? What difficulties or
opportunities lie on the path of such agents’ approval?
Scope:
Commercial potential: current state of the kinase
inhibitor market; potential market influences.
About protein kinases: protein kinase family
classifications; structure and function of the kinase and its inhibitors;
current screening procedures.
Kinase inhibitor selectivity: why selectivity is
important and how it can be determined.
Development challenges: the influences of mutations and
drug resistance; p38 MAP kinases.
Pharmacogenomics: the influence of genetic variation on
kinase inhibitor efficacy.
Profiles: select companies employing novel technologies
and strategies in kinase research.
Market outlook: our general forecast for the direction
and success of protein kinase inhibitors.
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