Description

Each year, hundreds of millions of dollars are devoted to researching the mysteries of autoimmune diseases. To understand where the research is going, BioInformatics, LLC has surveyed hundreds of immunologists regarding the nature of their research and the scientific challenges they face. Unlike our premier market reports that investigate the tools and techniques used in a field, Overview of Autoimmune Disease Research provides a top-level view of the science being conducted in leading immunology labs. From the perspective of the lab bench, it provides a descriptive overview of autoimmunity's technological barriers, key scientific questions, research challenges, research breakthroughs needed and promising therapeutic approaches. This overview will help life science suppliers identify opportunities to expand the placement of their immunological tools and technologies by finding additional commercial niches. Additionally, it will assist in stimulating new product ideas as well as enhancements to existing product lines. The report also highlights innovative basic and preclinical autoimmune disease research being conducted in today's laboratories. This research is significant because it advances our understanding of immune function and the role inflammation plays in mediating many of the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Such knowledge serves as the foundation for identifying potential targets for treatment and developing novel therapies to prevent, modulate and ultimately cure autoimmune diseases. Life science companies who supply products used to conduct this cutting-edge research must stay abreast of these fundamental insights in order to position their offerings more effectively. Similarly, companies developing new therapies and diagnostic tests must continually monitor activity in this research sector in order to validate their product development strategies. Companies can use this report to develop their long-term strategic plans so that substantial progress can be made in developing the next generation of tools that will enable the discovery of valuable therapeutics-and possibly even a cure for autoimmune diseases. Unique Elements of this Report • Presents results from qualitative interviews and a broad-based survey of over 650 leading immunologists with our own thoughtful analysis • Contains insights into the present and future state of autoimmune disease research and therapeutic design by noted thought leaders such as Betty Diamond, M.D., David Beller, Ph.D., and Pascale Alard, Ph.D. • From the perspective of immunologists, the data presents a descriptive overview of autoimmunity research, including: o Technological barriers o Key scientific questions o Research challenges o Research breakthroughs needed o Promising therapeutic approaches • Pinpoints the key research challenges for six leading autoimmune diseases: o Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 o Inflammatory Bowel Disease o Multiple Sclerosis o Psoriasis o Rheumatoid Arthritis (electronic copy also includes 1 print copy)

Table of Contents

Section 1: Executive Overview 1-1 Executive Overview 1-2 Introduction 1-2 Technological Barriers 1-4 Key Scientific Questions to Be Answered 1-6 Research Challenges 1-8 Research Breakthroughs 1-10 Promising Therapeutics 1-12 Conclusion Section 2: Study Methodology and Demographics 2-1 Study Methodology 2-4 Demographics 2-7 Questionnaire Section 3: Presentation of Survey Data 3-1 Research stages 3-2 General focus of immunological research 3-3 Immunological disciplines that are a specific focus of research 3-5 Autoimmune diseases studied 3-7 Broad approaches used to conduct research 3-8 Techniques used 3-9 Areas where technological improvements would best help research 3-10 Sources of funding 3-11 Premier institutions for conducting immunology-based research 3-12 Companies that are ideal partners to translate breakthroughs into new drugs/device 3-14 Journals that provide access to the most cutting-edge research 3-16 Most helpful research breakthroughs 3-17 Most promising class of therapeutics 3-18 Most important questions about immune system function 3-19 Institution most capable of conducting clinical trials and basic research on new immune-based therapies 3-20 Issues facing research on autoimmunity 3-21 Significant research discoveries 3-22 Key research challenges for: 3-22 Diabetes Mellitus 3-23 Inflammatory Bowel Disease 3-24 Multiple Sclerosis 3-25 Psoriasis 3-26 Rheumatoid Arthritis 3-27 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Section 4: Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data Section 5: Interviews with Key Opinion Leaders in Autoimmune Disease Research 5-2 Biographies of the Editorial Review Board 5-5 Interviews 5-5 Improving Research Tools and Techniques 5-6 Evaluating Fundamental Research Directions 5-8 Assessing Scientific Challenges 5-10 Examining Future Breakthroughs 5-11 Ranking Significant Discoveries in Autoimmune Disease Research 5-12 Predicting Future Therapies Section 6: Appendices 6-1 Profiles for: 6-2 Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 6-7 Inflammatory Bowel Disease 6-12 Multiple Sclerosis 6-16 Psoriasis 6-20 Rheumatoid Arthritis 6-25 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus For each disease, the following topics are examined: • Major Research Challenges • Top Three Research Challenges as Indicated by Survey Respondents • Promising Research Directions • In the Field: Snapshots of Promising Disease Research 6-29 Budget Allocation by Research Approach 6-46 Premier Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Diagnostic Companies 6-47 Top Immunology Journals 6-48 Eminent Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence 6-49 Top Immunology Papers 6-62 Other Publications 6-64 About BioInformatics 6-65 Our Valued Clients