Market Segments
Today, many biotech and biomedical companies specializing in carbohydrates are active in the research reagents market. However, a new generation of biotech enterprises dedicated exclusively to carbohydrates is emerging. These companies develop a preclinical concept but then outlicense the clinical development to partners within the pharmaceutical industry.
Examples of carbohydratebased drugs successfully introduced on the market include the H. influenzae vaccine and Heparin, the influenza antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza as well as the antibiotics Erythromycin and Vancomycin.
Despite a huge need for carbohydratebased therapeutics, the development in this area has been slow. There are two reasons for this: Firstly, carbohydrate structure analysis is complicated due to the complexity and micro heterogeneity of glycan chains. Secondly, carbohydrate synthesis is difficult and expensive, especially when multivalent expression of the carbohydrate epitope is desired.
However, several factors are beginning to contribute to faster development. Analytical tools, such as mass spectrometry used to study glycan structures, are becoming increasingly sensitive and effective. In addition, an automated system for solidphase synthesis of carbohydrates has been developed, which is likely to simplify the synthesis of carbohydrates with therapeutic potential.