Millions of people prone to asthmatic attacks can look forward to throwing away their steroid inhalers and ward it off with injections of Xolair, the world’s first drug developed through the genetic engineering technologies against this disorder. In mid-May, a panel of experts at the US government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended its use among patients from ages 12 to 65 suffering from moderate to severe form of allergic attacks.
Opportunities unfurling
Medical biotechnology has gained prominence in the country with spectacular advances in biology. This is mainly due to a number of emerging and re-emerging infections requiring immediate attention for development of suitable diagnostics and therapeutics. Now biopharma has become an important component of the national economy.
