PFIZER has almost 500 projects in discovery at any one time and an overall development pipeline consisting of 63 early stage compounds, 27 mid stage compounds, and 15 in advanced development. A new candidate medicine for HIV/AIDS works by blocking the entry of HIV to cells where the virus typically replicates and may be effective against HIV strains that are currently resistant to existing medicines. Pfizer has a wide range of compounds in advanced development, including potential treatments for pain and inflammation, type 2 diabetes, smoking cessation, osteoporosis, insomnia, macular degeneration and macular oedema, CPOD and asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, colorectal cancer, HIV, malaria, Parkinson’s disease and neurological disorders.

Three CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY products are now in clinical development, with two further candidates in preclinical development. A monoclonal antibody is being developed for improving outcomes in glaucoma filtration surgery. With Genzyme, CAT is developing a potential treatment for diffuse systemic sclerosis, as well as another monoclonal antibody for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A potential treatment for severe allergic disorders in Phase 1/2. A further monoclonal antibody is in preclinical development for asthma and possible other indications. CAT has a wide programme of collaboration with other companies for the development of other potential candidate medicines in the therapeutic areas of rheumatoid arthritis, solid tumour and haematopoietic cancer cells, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Phase 3 trials of a new clinical trial programme to assess a non-peptic protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV1 infection were announced by BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM.

MERCK SHARP & DOHME has increased its vaccine research programme in the UK, including the development of a vaccine that offers the promise of a reduction in the number of Human Papilloma Virus-related cervical lesions. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection. MSD is also involved in three major trials examining the potential of a COX-2 selective inhibitor to reduce cancer.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB has a pipeline of nearly 50 compounds at all stages of development. A new dopamine system stabiliser for the treatment of schizophrenia is in the late stages of development, as is a protease inhibitor of HIV1.

During 2003, ASTRAZENECA compounds in diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, thrombosis, pain and multiple sclerosis were tested in man for the first time. Clinical studies also continuing for treatments in gastroesophageal reflux disease, stroke, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis and others.

NOVARTIS has a range of candidate medicines in Phase 2 trials, including compounds for osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, hyper-tension, neurodegeneration, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In Phase 3, compounds are in development for osteoporosis, cancer, iron overload, transplantation and hepatitis B. There are products in late stage development for urinary incontinence, osteoporosis and persistent asthma.

ALIZYME has completed two Phase 2 clinical trials with its therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. The company is now preparing to move into Phase 3 development. The company has also completed a Phase 2 trial for its obesity therapy.

ROCHE’s research and development programme includes transplantation, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, metabolic diseases, anaemia and viral diseases. Roche managed 53 global phase 1 and 40 global phase 2 or 3 trials out of the UK, as well as 52 local trials, including new treatments for hepatitis C and cancer.

During 2003, CELLTECH progressed its pegylated anti-TNF antibody fragment into Phase 3 trials for Crohn’s Disease. Two potential treatments for inflammatory disorders and two more, for the treatment of cancers, have entered Phase 1 development. A further compound for the treatment of inflammatory disorders has entered into preclinical development.

ABBOTT’s research pipeline focuses on immunological disease and oncology. The company’s endothelin receptor antagonist is in late stage development for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer.

ALTANA PHARMA is focusing on respiratory conditions, gastroenterology and oncology. A new inhaled corticosteroid for asthma is in late stage development and a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor is also in development for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

JANSSEN-CILAG has completed trials of a prophylactic treatment for migraine. Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research, in collaboration with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, is studying a candidate medicine which targets the proteasome pathway and has demonstrated potential in both solid and haematological malignancies.

SKYEPHARMA has applied for a licence for a sustained-release formulation of morphine, which is given as an epidural injection before or during surgery. SkyePharma currently has four products in Phase 3 trials and three others at the Phase 2 stage.

AMERSHAM has gained rights to access Oxford Gene Technology's sequence variation patents as well as core patents relating to analysing polynucleotide sequences. In addition, Amersham has obtained rights to sublicense the technology in the research and clinical diagnostic markets. This agreement places Amersham in a strong position in the clinical diagnostic fields where bioarray technologies can be partnered with its pharmaceutical customers in the rapidly growing application of personalised medicine.

SANOFI-SYNTHELABO has 55 compounds under development, of which 22 are in Phase 2 or 3. Among them are a cannabinoid receptor antagonist, which is being evaluated for the treatment of obesity and for smoking cessation, and a long-acting synthetic pentasaccharide under development for venous thromboembolic disease associated with atrial fibrillation.

New studies were initiated by AMGEN in over 60 NHS centres in its target therapeutic areas of oncology/haematology, nephrology, inflammation and neurology. Results from Phase 3 studies of a new treatment for people with hyperthyroidism and Phase1/2 studies of GDNF in Parkinson’s disease were brought together.

FUJISAWA’s institute of Neuroscience Research continues to collaborate with the University of Edinburgh in research into schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s. Other areas of research include severe systemic fungal infections, dermatological conditions and treatments for the prevention of graft loss in organ transplantation.

GLAXOSMITHKLINE currently has 147 projects in clinical development, spanning a wide range of therapeutic areas and encompassing a number of pioneering approaches to treating patients. The projects include 82 new chemical entities, 45 product line extensions and 20 vaccines. The pipeline is maturing as projects move into later stages of development – 98 are in clinical Phases 2 and 3 or pre-registration.

SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS EUROPE is about to start Phase 2 trials for a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and has started a Phase 1 programme for a candidate medicine for hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis.

YAMANOUCHI has developed a competitive specific muscarinic receptor antagonist for the treatment of overactive bladder. It is also developing a selective endothelin for the treatment of overactive bladder and a further compound for prostate cancer. The company is researching a range of compounds in the field of urology.

AVENTIS has a number of compounds in development in the areas of diabetes, oncology, respiratory conditions and cardiovascular products, including inhaled insulin for diabetes and new treatments for cancer and asthma.

WYETH has a new broad-spectrum antibacterial in Phase 3 trials which shows efficacy against different strains of bacteria that have developed resistance to other antibiotics. It is also conducting Phase 3 trials on a tissue-selective oestrogen for the preventive and treatment of menopausal osteoporosis. Wyeth is carrying out Phase 2 trials for a cell signalling pathway inhibitor for renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer. Phase 1 trials have begun for a compound for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. The company also has an extensive vaccine research programme, primarily in the areas of respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases and hospital-acquired infections.