The biotech sector includes companies whose products benefit people by treating diseases with life-saving treatments and drugs increasing yields on agricultural land and producing green fuels and chemicals. It also includes bioinformatics, which is the study of biological information and processes and can be applied to a variety of industries.
Biotech’s roots date back to the 1970s in the beginning when recombinant technology (genetic engineering) was developed and later patented. This technique enables scientists to create cells that splice genes that then begin to produce important protein molecules.
Biotechnology is widely used in the target-discovery programs of a majority of pharmaceutical companies today. Small companies are also present in the pharmaceutical industry that utilize exclusive techniques to develop new therapeutic drugs.
Companies that focus on agrobiology, cosmetics, the environmental and food industry nutraceuticals, industrial biotechnology, in addition to veterinary medicine, are also pursuing other biotechnology applications. Fully integrated Pharma companies are large commercial companies that study create, manufacture and sell generic or brand name drugs and medicines.
Biotech is experiencing a revolution because of the advancement of technologies. Companies can now test their products against conditions that have understood mechanisms, such as sickle cell anemia, and reach larger patient populations. Some companies are even trying to create new treatments that target untreated diseases, like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is a terminal illness.
