Large Molecules: Too Late For Big Pharma?

At a time when the pharmaceutical industry is desperately looking for ways to increase productivity and fatten pipelines, it would only seem sensible for drug companies to maximize their opportunities by creating substantial large molecule capabilities. But even with the renewed interest in monoclonal antibodies, there's little evidence that more than a few major drug companies have made a serious commitment to macromolecule drug discovery and development. Some industry observers contend that companies failing to make such a commitment do so at considerable peril. On the other hand, new technologies may help to make large molecules easier, cheaper, and thus more palatable for drug firms to work with. The question is whether those companies caught up in the small molecule paradigm will seize the opportunity before being left in the dust by those already focusing on macromolecules.