Contents:

1 Introduction Section I introduces how the immune system works and traces the history and development of the earliest antiviral vaccines. This section discusses the factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases. Section I also examines the opportunity for therapeutic value and provides a business analysis of the antiviral sector. The regulatory approval process is reviewed, including the basic steps required for new drug applications and for generic drugs. 2 Physiology of Viral Disease In Section II, immune system functioning is examined in light of how viruses interact with the immune system's components. Viral structure and classification are presented along with comparisons of characteristics of virus types and families. The stages of viral infections are examined. Viruses are known to play a role in numerous types of cancer, therefore, how they are involved in evoking cancer is discussed. The impact of immunodeficiencies on the viral disease process is also reviewed. Review of immune system function, the major histocompatibility gene complex, disease associations (HLA antigens), cytokines, cytokine receptors, immune cells, humoral response, cell-mediated response, the complement system Response to viral infections - viral structure, virus classifications, viral infection, role of viruses in cancer, impact of immunodeficiencies Physiologic routes of drug administration - factors affecting absorption and distribution 3 Strategies and Technologies for Developing NewAntiviral Agents This section discusses issues such as: Emerging infectious diseases - highlighting the dramatic increases in specific resistant organisms Currently successful technology strategies and how these may be modified and expanded for improved clinical outcomes Examination of new classes of antivirals, particularly those with a near-term potential market impact Review of the mechanisms of resistance and how these can be exploited to develop new technology strategies This section also includes a discussion of the factors forcing emergence of both resistance and new diseases. A summary of the new technologies under development by companies targeting antivirals is presented. 4 Market Overview and Forecasts< The antiviral segment is subject to the larger forces that impact the entire pharmaceutical industry. The trends affecting the pharmaceutical market overall are discussed in this section, including those that will continue to operate for the pharmaceutical market as a whole and the antiviral market segment specifically. How increasing competition in certain antiviral diseases may be transformed is explored. The continuing impact of generics in the segment is analyzed and specific market segments are reviewed for antivirals. 5 Company Profiles The boom in genomic information is evidenced by the increased number of strategic alliances in the segment.Additionally, numerous companies have entered the market armed with a new understanding of the infectious process and technology borne out of genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics. Both major pharmaceutical companies and upcoming biotechnology companies are presented in this section.This section includes a review of key pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Company profiles: Comprehensive review of the leading companies developing antiviral drugs and discovery technologies Company alliances and deal structures Products on the market and in clinical trials Direct links to company Web sites (CD-ROM version)

Companies Mentioned

Abbott Laboratories American Home Products AVI Biopharma Biogen Boehringer-Ingelheim Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Chiron DuPont Pharmaceuticals F. Hoffmann-La Roche Gilead Sciences GlaxoSmithKline Hybridon Immune Response Corporation Ibis Pharmaceuticals Johnson & Johnson MediChem MediGene MedImmune Merck & Co. Microcide Pfizer Pharmacia Pharmasset Pharmaceuticals Progenics Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Schering-Plough SciClone Shire Pharmaceuticals StressGen Targeted Genetics Triangle Pharmaceuticals Tularik Vertex Viragen