Appendix I: Systems Biology in industry

The potential of Systems Biology for advancing innovation in biomedical applications, medical instrumentation and bio-information technology have been recognized broadly in industry. For example, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Eli Lilly and Company, has established Lilly Systems Biology in Singapore. Additionally, GlaxoSmithKline has invested directly in Systems Biology through its Scientific Computing and Mathematical Modelling Group. Merck has established an Applied Computer and Mathematics Department and is funding theoretical work on Alzheimer’s disease in Canada . Novartis is viewing Systems Biology as a necessary next step in drug discovery and sponsors a Professorship of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School. AstraZeneca is employing Systems Biology methodologies in their Pathway Analysis Program and is supporting a Senior Research Associateship in Systems Biology at the University of Cambridge.

In addition to investments by larger international corporations, numerous emergent biotech and Bio-IT companies, including BG Medicine, BioSeek, CellZome AG, Entelos, Genomatica, Gene Network Sciences, GeneGo, Genstruct, Incora, InSilico Biosciences, Panomics and Optimata have been founded based on Systems Biology technology platforms that are used primarily in drug discovery and in the development of products for medical and industrial biotechnology. The industrial aspects of Systems Biology, current market trends, emergent companies and future potential is further described and discussed in Bio-IT World’s Briefing on Systems Biology (available from www.bio-itworld.com), and in two reports: Systems Biology - Key to unlocking the value within the omics revolution by Drug & Market Development Publications and The Future of Systems Biology: Emerging technologies and their impact on drug discovery, development and diagnostics by Business Insights (both are available to purchase at www.researchandmarkets.com).