New drugs on the horizon

The agents covered in this article are useful in a wide range of illnesses, including infections, cancers, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, and others. One of the major forces driving the development of new drugs is the use of biotechnology. Biotechnology encompasses the techniques of recombinant DNA and monoclonal antibody technologies to produce protein drugs that have not been previously available in sufficiently pure form or in adequate quantities. As new drugs are developed, the authors hope that intensified efforts will be geared towards the development of unique drugs that offer important therapeutic gains.