In this practice-oriented two volume handbook, professionals from some of the largest biopharmaceutical companies and top academic researchers address the key concepts and challenges in the development of protein pharmaceuticals for medicinal chemists and drug developers of all trades.
Following an introduction tracing the rapid development of the protein therapeutics market over the last decade, all currently used therapeutic protein scaffolds are surveyed, from human and non-human antibodies to antibody mimetics, bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates. This ready reference then goes on to review other key aspects such as pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity, manufacture, formulation and delivery. The handbook then takes a look at current key clinical applications for protein therapeutics, from respiratory and inflammation to oncology and immune-oncology, infectious diseases and rescue therapy. Finally, several exciting prospects for the future of protein therapeutics are highlighted and discussed.

Tristan Vaughan is Vice President, Research and Development for antibody discovery and protein engineering at MedImmune. Based in Cambridge (UK), Dr. Vaughan leads the work of 110 scientists who are responsible for discovering and engineering around half of MedImmune's biologics portfolio, and who have delivered over 50 protein-based therapeutic candidates into the clinical phases of development. Dr. Vaughan joined MedImmune, previously Cambridge Antibody Technology, in 1993 and developed the platform technology which built the first human antibody libraries of 10 E10 members. He is also a key inventor of Humira and Benlysta. Dr. Vaughan has over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals to his name.

Jane Osbourn is Vice President, Research and Development at MedImmune and Site Leader for MedImmune Cambridge (UK). An expert in antibody engineering, Dr. Osbourn joined MedImmune, formerly Cambridge Antibody Technology, in 1993, and is an originator of key peer-reviewed publications and patents. She made a significant contribution to the discovery and development of marketed drugs (Humira and Benlysta) and more than 40 clinical candidates. Dr. Osbourn has worked across a range of disease areas and currently leads a team of researchers developing biosuperior biologics medicines in oncology, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition, she is Chair of the UK BioIndustry Association, a Director of Babraham Bioscience Technologies and a Director of Cambridge Enterprise.

Bahija Jallal is Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca and head of MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, based in Gaithersburg (USA). Prior to joining MedImmune, Dr. Jallal worked with Chiron Corporation where she served as vice president, drug assessment and development, and successfully established the company's translational medicine group. In 2013, Dr. Jallal earned the Grace Award from the Cancer Research Institute. She has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and has over 15 patents.