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M&A in pharma

Explores the merits of mega-deal in contrast to a more measured portfolio growth strategy

Preclinical Cancer Therapeutics 2007: Decoding Next Generation Drug Targets for Market Success is a unique and unrivalled 367-page report analysing the performance of numerous important early stage oncology drug candidates, assessing their market viability based on preclinical scientific studies and expert opinion.

In the report, analysts decode the necessary parameters of market success for novel and next-generation drug targets. Through their diligent market research and academic insight, founded on years of experience of directing a preclinical research facility for the assessment of drug targets for solid tumours, the authors identify which oncology classes and products are most suited for regulatory approval and commercial success from those that may not fare as well in the global marketplace. The report represents an essential intelligence tool for deciphering capital risk and investment in oncology therapeutics whilst also enabling important decision-making with regard to research and development programmes and strategies, regulatory issues, and marketing challenges. Furthermore, market estimations for drug classes are provided revealing those preclinical and clinical phase compounds that are most likely to succeed in the market and become high-revenue therapeutics for their developers.

CHAPTER 1. PRECLINICAL CHALLENGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS TO TREAT CANCER

1.1 Tumour Biology: Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes
1.2 Genomic Instability and Neoplastic Transformation
1.3 Mechanisms of Drug Resistance
1.4 Identification of Appropriate Molecular/Cancer Targets for Research and Development 34
1.4.1 DNA Binding Targets
1.4.2 Oncogenes and Tumour Suppressor Genes as Targets
1.4.3 Receptor Kinase Pathways as Targets
1.4.4 Hormonal Receptor Targets
1.4.5 Invasion, Metastasis and Angiogenesis Pathways as Targets
1.4.6 Immunological Targets
1.4.7 Methods for the Identification of Genes and Proteins of Interest
1.5 Current Models of Successful New Cancer Treatment Approaches
1.6 Limitations to Current Therapeutic Approaches

CHAPTER 2. TOOLS FOR PRECLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Preclinical Drug Discovery Approaches
2.1.1 Tumour Targeted Approaches: General Considerations
2.1.2 Gene Targeted Therapeutic Approaches
2.1.2.1 Small Molecule Inhibitors
2.1.2.2 Inhibitory RNAs
2.1.2.3 Nanoparticle Technology
2.1.2.4 Immunotherapy: Human Monoclonal Antibodies
2.1.2.5 Recombinant Genetically Engineered Therapeutic Viruses
2.1.3 Biomarkers
2.1.4 Sources of Potential Anticancer Agents for Preclinical Assessment: Non-Gene Targeted Approaches
2.1.5 Medicinal Chemistry: Role in Drug Discovery and Preclinical Therapeutic Assessment
2.2 Preclinical Assessment Tools: General Parameters of Preclinical Response
2.2.1 Preclinical Assessment: Lead Drug Candidate Selection Process
2.2.2 Primary and Secondary Screens: Lead Optimisation
2.3 Types of Preclinical Assessment Models
2.3.1 In Vitro Cell Culture Assays
2.3.2 Biochemical and Histological Methods Used for In-Vitro Assessment
2.3.3 In Vivo Assessment Models
2.3.3.1 In Vivo Preclinical Assessment: Parameters of Preclinical Response
2.4 Imaging Tools for Preclinical Assessment
2.4.1 Tumour Imaging
2.4.2 Imaging Technologies: Preclinical Therapeutic Applications
2.4.3 Pharmacodynamic Applications of Imaging Technologies
2.5 Evaluation of Potential Predictive Clinical Value of Preclinical Assessment Tools

CHAPTER 3. CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY

3.1 Preclinical Approaches to Active Immunotherapy: General Considerations
3.2 Active Immunotherapy Protocols in Preclinical Development
3.3 Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines in Preclinical Development
3.3.1 Individualised Patient Tumour Vaccines
3.3.2 Therapeutic Virus Vaccines
3.3.3 Protein/Peptide Cancer Vaccines
3.3.4 Dendritic Cell Vaccines
3.4 Artificial Immunostimulatory Antibodies
3.5 Novel Antigenic Tumour Targets in Preclinical Drug Development
3.5.1 Telomerase
3.5.2 Tumour Stem Cell Targets in Preclinical Development
3.5.3 Immunostimulatory Cytokine Therapeutics in Preclinical Development
3.6 Preclinical Approaches to Passive Immunotherapy
3.6.1 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics
3.6.2 Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies
3.6.3 Humanised and Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies
3.6.3.1 Selected Companies Developing Preclinical/Early Clinical Monoclonal Antibody Cancer Therapeutics
3.7 Other Antigen-Targeted Therapies: Significant Highlights
3.8 Genetically Engineered Cytolytic Viruses - 'Smart Viruses'
3.9 Current Challenges to the Development of Effective Immotherapeutic Approaches to Cancer

CHAPTER 4. TARGETED CANCER THERAPEUTICS: SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS IN PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT

4.1 Strategic Development of Novel Anticancer Agents
4.2 Major Cancer Pathway Sources of Small Molecule Therapeutic Targets: PTEN/PI3K/Akt
4.3 RAS Activated Cell Proliferation Pathway: Important Therapeutic Targets
4.4 Small Molecule Therapeutic Targets: Wnt/Beta-Catenin Pathway
4.5 Other Dysregulated Cell Processes: Potential Therapeutic Interactions
4.5.1 Sonic Hedgehog Pathway
4.5.2 Transforming Growth Factor-Beta
4.5.3 Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway Targets
4.5.4 Additional Kinase Inhibitors in Preclinical Development
4.5.4.1 Small Molecule Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
4.5.4.2 Serine/Threonine Kinase Inhibitors
4.5.5 Small Molecule Inhibitors of Angiogenesis in Preclinical Development
4.5.6 Small