Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Biotech Drugs

Book excerpt: This first ever coverage of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of biopharmaceuticals meets the need for a comprehensive book in this field. It spans all topics from lead identification right up to final-stage clinical trials. Following an introduction to the role of PK and PD in the development of biotech drugs, the book goes on to cover the basics, including the pharmacokinetics of peptides, monoclonal antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, as well as viral and non-viral gene delivery vectors. The second section discusses such challenges and opportunities as pulmonary delivery of proteins and peptides, and the delivery of oligonucleotides. The final section considers the integration of PK and PD concepts into the biotech drug development plan, taking as case studies the preclinical and clinical drug development of tasidotin, as well as the examples of cetuximab and pegfilgrastim. The result is vital reading for all pharmaceutical researchers.