The benefits of genetic modification far
outweigh the
hypothetical and sometimes contrived risks claimed by its
detractors.
Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-founder of Greenpeace
This book is the result of more than a decade spent investigating
the biotechnology industry. My interest in biotechnology
started when, as a biochemistry graduate student, I found an
opportunity to create and manage one of the first websites on the
business of biotechnology. Taking a biochemist’s approach, I began
dissecting the biotechnology industry to isolate the key elements and
study their interactions. While web pages are excellent at conveying
short notes and discrete topics it quickly became apparent that
there was a strong need to compile my investigations in a different
format—a book with comprehensive and integrated coverage of the
business of biotechnology. With the desire to delve deeper into the
key drivers of the biotechnology industry and provide greater coverage
of the interrelation of its disparate elements, the first edition of
Building Biotechnology was produced in 2004. Subsequent editions
have seen the text grow substantially as the industry has undergone
significant changes and new topics have been added.
Because the biotechnology industry is influenced by, and faces
unique pressures from, scientific, legal, regulatory, political, and
commercial factors, the onerous challenge of merging the respective
contributions of each of these disparate domains was critical in writing
this book. Building Biotechnology is presented in five sections: a
general introduction; the science of biotechnology; legal, regulatory, and political issues; the business of biotechnology; and, a conclusion.
The scientific, legal, regulatory, and political issues are presented
prior to the business fundamentals because in order to understand
the business of biotechnology it is necessary to first understand how
these factors shape the industry and make the business of biotechnology
different from other industries. Many issues, such as drug
development, are described in more than one section, providing different
contexts on their fundamentals and practice.
The final section ties together the material from the previous
four sections and provides additional commentary on how to engage
in biotechnology business development, considerations in developing
an investment strategy, and career development guidance.
A comprehensive set of appendices follow, containing Internet links,
an annotated bibliography, and a detailed glossary.
Several special considerations have been included to promote
accessibility. Individual biotechnology companies and products
are referenced in different examples and anecdotes to reinforce the
concepts presented. Extensive cross-references are also included
throughout the text for those readers taking a “cafeteria approach”
and reading the chapters out of sequence. The annotated bibliography
and detailed glossary facilitate continued learning for interested
readers.
I hope that by breaking down the biotechnology industry to its
key drivers and by providing numerous case studies, you will develop
an appreciation of the independent and combined scientific,
legal, regulatory, political, and commercial influences that define the
scope of commercial biotechnology.
Yali Friedman, Ph.D.