Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1
Some traditional pharmaceutical substances that are generally produced by direct chemical
synthesis
Drug
Molecular formula
Molecular mass
Therapeutic indication
Acetaminophen
(paracetamol)
C
8
H
9
NO
2
151.16
Analgesic
Ketamine
C
13
H
16
C/NO
237.74
Anaesthetic
Levamisole
C
11
H
12
N
2
S
204.31
Anthelmintic
Diazoxide
C
8
H
7
C/N
2
O
2
S
230.7
Antihypertensive
Acyclovir
C
8
H
11
N
5
O
3
225.2
Antiviral agent
Zidovudine
C
10
H
13
N
5
O
4
267.2
Antiviral agent
Dexamethasone
C
22
H
29
FO
5
392.5
Anti-infl ammatory and
immunosuppressive
agent
Misoprostol
C
22
H
38
O
5
382.5
Anti-ulcer agent
Cimetidine
C
10
H
16
N
6
252.3
Anti-ulcer agent
to the use of biological systems (e.g. cells or tissues) or biological molecules (e.g. enzymes or
antibodies) for/in the manufacture of commercial products.
The term 'biopharmaceutical' was fi rst used in the 1980s and came to describe a class of thera-
peutic proteins produced by modern biotechnological techniques, specifi cally via genetic engineering
(Chapter 3) or, in the case of monoclonal antibodies, by hybridoma technology (Chapter 13). Although
the majority of biopharmaceuticals or biotechnology products now approved or in development are
proteins produced via genetic engineering, these terms now also encompass nucleic-acid-based, i.e.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)- or ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based products, and whole-cell-based products.
1.3 History of the pharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical industry, as we now know it, is barely 60 years old. From very modest beginnings, it
has grown rapidly, reaching an estimated value of US$100 billion by the mid 1980s. Its current value is
likely double or more this fi gure. There are well in excess of 10 000 pharmaceutical companies in exist-
ence, although only about 100 of these can claim to be of true international signifi cance. These compa-
nies manufacture in excess of 5000 individual pharmaceutical substances used routinely in medicine.
Table 1.2
Some pharmaceuticals that were traditionally obtained by direct extraction from biological source
material. Many of the protein-based pharmaceuticals mentioned are now also produced by genetic engineering
Substance
Medical application
Blood products (e.g. coagulation factors)
Treatment of blood disorders such as haemophilia
A or B
Vaccines
Vaccination against various diseases
Antibodies
Passive immunization against various diseases
Insulin
Treatment of diabetes mellitus
Enzymes
Thrombolytic agents, digestive aids, debriding agents
(i.e. cleansing of wounds)
Antibiotics
Treatment against various infections agents
Plant extracts (e.g. alkaloids)
Various, including pain relief
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