Nature Biotechnology

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-395pmid: 15815648

Sheridan, Cormac

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-397pmid: 15815649

Although the financial implications of Elan's and Biogen Idec's shock withdrawal from the market of the highly promising multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri were immediate and dramatic, it could have long-term consequences on the whole class of drug as companies developing drugs with a similar mechanism of action as Tysabri had to suspend their trials.

Garber, Ken

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-399pmid: 15815650

For the past 40 years, there has been no major addition to the repertoire of drugs for treating severe, chronic pain. Now, two drugs with a completely different mechanism of action, targeting N-type calcium channels, are making their market debuts in the US and Europe—milestones that have received remarkably little attention.

Ratner, Mark

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-400pmid: 15815651

The application of structural biology as a starting point for drug development is now maturing as recent development in the industry suggest.

O'Neill, Graeme

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-401pmid: 15815652

Australia's biotech sector has no shortage of good ideas with a total of 30 new companies listing on ASX over the past 20 months. But with too many immature companies, and not enough sophisticated investors, the sector is struggling to achieve stability and growth.

Herrera, Stephan

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-403pmid: 15815653

Monsanto recently acquired a US fruit and vegetable seed outfit, a move that both Wall Street analysts and environmental activists (oddly) agree could spell trouble.

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-405pmid: N/A

Fox, Jeffrey L.

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-407pmid: 15815655

Veterinarian Lester Crawford has been nominated to be Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration. Can he provide the agency with the leadership it so desperately needs?

Lawrence, Stacy

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-408pmid: 15815656

Garber, Ken

doi: 10.1038/nbt0405-409pmid: 15815657

Surging numbers of therapeutic proteins and small molecules, rationally designed to trigger cell death, are entering the clinic against cancer. In theory, they should provide an entirely new kind of targeted therapy, but troubling questions of basic biology remain.