Genetic engineering and biotechnology yearbook

294 non-isotopic label has yet been shown to have the versatility of 125I in many different immunoassay systems and the laboratory need have only one type of instrument to detect the signal. Upon adoption of the newer techniques a laboratory may have to purchase a dedicated automatic spectrophotometer, various types of fluorimeter and a luminometer to cope with the different methodologies and to provide a comprehensive range of assays. Suitable equipment is not yet available for some non-isotopic labels if high throughput is required. In addition, several of the new methods are protected by patents which makes in-house developmenLof assays for new compounds impossible. The arguments for non-isotopic labels include safety, speed, stability, sensitivity and simplicity. The safety aspect is somewhat exaggerated; the health hazards of small quantities of isotope used are acceptable but despite this the use of isotopes is restricted by onerous regulation in several countries. Speed too is not usually a problem with most assays. The one exception is in the field of fertility (both human and animal). Reagent stability is, however, a real advantage both to the commercial supplier and the scientist who develops his own in-house methods. The shelf life of the labelled derivative can usually be measured in years rather than the weeks 0f125Ilabelled products. Prolonged use of the same labelled reagent, especially if associated with the use of monoclonal antibodies, should reduce intra-assay variability. Simple assays are required where technical expertise is not available and when quick answers are required. The use of enzyme labels with coloured end-points have made such an approach feasible. It is in the area of sensitivity, however, that the use of the non-isotopic labels, particularly luminescence and fluorescence methods, have their greatest potential. Ekins demonstrates in his chapter that with 125Ithe limit of detection with non-competitive labelled antibody methods is of the order of 10 molecules/ml, whereas assays using non-isotopic labels, with higher effective specific activities, can achieve improvements in detection limits of three or more orders o f magnitude. Assays which have demonstrated at least some of this potential have been reported using luminescence and enzyme cycling. The

Trendsin Biotechnology, Vol. 3, No. 11, 1985 immunochemiluminometric assay for TSH developed by Dr Woodhead's group has provided the first assay which can differentiate between TSH concentrations in the serum of euthyroid and thyrotoxic subjects, thus improving diagnostic accuracy. Ekins speculates on the potential uses of this improvement in sensitivity and it will be interesting to see how many of his ideas and predictions are fulfilled, in particular those concerned with sampling in vivo. Equally exciting is the chemiluminescence energy transfer technique described by Cambell and his coworkers. This is a homogeneous (non-separation) assay which could possibly be used to study chemical reactions in a single intact living cell. The book is well produced but the quality of the chapters is variable and sometimes very disappointing. This

must be because of a lack of editorial direction. How else in the chapter on 'Immunoradiometric assays' could there be almost no mention of nonisotopic labels? The chapter on 'Enzyme immunoassay' is too brief and superficial for one of the major nonisotopic techniques. The relatively high cost will deter individuals from purchasing this book, which by its very nature will soon be out of date. Nor will scientists wishing to set up new assays find it a useful bench aide. However, despite these defects the book justifies a critical read by those interested in the future ofimmunoassay methods. G. M. ADDISON Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, Manchester M271HA, UK.

Biotechnology is an expensive business GENETIC ENGINEERINGAND BIOTECHNOLOGYYEARBOOK edited by A. G. Walton and S. K. Hammer, Elsevier 1985. $750/Dfl. 2000 (1060 pages) I S B N 0 444 42461 Despite the hopes of many would-be commercial biotechnologists, few firms in this field make profits and few investments have led to short-term gains. This directory helps in several ways to explain why. There is a lot ofcompeti~tion; although the 1985 yearbook has about 1150 entries (a 50% increase on last year for the same price), this is only one fifth of the organizations worldwide with interests in biotechnology. The emphasis is on US genetic engineering companies (over 300 entries), although some of the firms appearing in this section such as BioResponse, Hybritech and Sepracor, might be surprised to be classified there. A further 140 entries cover US corporations 'with major and minor interests in genetic engineering' arranged in two separate sections. The basis of the distinction is unclear and unexplained, except that for the firms with minor interests, only the biotechnology activities are described. The entries in the first two sections are mostly 1-2 pages long and include address, telephone number, equity structure, focus, names of directors (and sometimes scientific advisors and consultants), facilities, number of

employees, research projects and joint ventures. Most entries are fairly complete, incorporating condensed summaries of press reports of activities. Major corporation entries include subsidiary and affiliated companies and distinguish in-house and contractedout research projects. Directors' names are replaced by relevant contacts, which is probably a useful feature. The directory also includes about 700 entries for overseas organizations most of which have half-page entries including address, telephone/telex numbers, focus, activities, co-ventures and contact names. A few government and academic institutions are included. Japan is particularly well covered with 160 entries. To help sort the complex interrelationships in the biotechnology business, there are two indexes. One is by focus (essentially, subject), which is not especially useful as the categories are fairly broad and somewhat arbitrary on occasion (e.g. human healthcare vs. pharmaceuticals); firms are grouped by country and without page numbers. The other is a company index which gives page numbers for main entries only and not for the cross references. The accuracy is a little suspect; Celltech's entry contains two incorrect entries, omits two entries and misspels one but, overall, the content appears reasonably well researched. Inevitably, such a directory dates quickly. Some

Trends in Biotechnology, Vol.3, No. 11, 1985 entries contain information from December 1984 but there is little on 1985 activities despite the obvious use of camera-ready copy to speed publication. Finally, business aspects are as important as a strong scientific basis. The book includes a 50-page introduction by one of the authors which is very interesting, though I found the style difficult to read and better suited to an oral presentation. A number of lengthy comparative tables are included, some o f which are quite amusing, such as the ranking of 50 public US firms by latest annual profit and loss figures (a second column with total turnover would have made this even more interesting). However, all the tables are irritatingly submerged in the narrative. The review concentrates on public US companies and is mainly an analysis of'financials',

295 saying little about the technology. There is a 'seven factor model for predicting the success of biotech companies' which does little more than suggest that such companies should have adequate capital, an aim, products with market potential (if possible on the market), provision for dealing with regulatory constraints, not too much competition, cutting-edge technology and good luck. Would that we all had this! This directory impressed me as almost a microcosm of the 'biotech' industry: it is far more expensive to invest in than one might imagine; it is more complex than you first think and the field is moving so fast that there is a high risk of missing vital information. Nevertheless, this is a useful listing, offering much information which will be required by biotechnology investors.

If money is no object and detail is desired, this will no doubt be a very helpful reference. Those with flat wallets may have to settle for Jim Coombs' 1985 International Biotechnology Directory (£65, MacMillan), which has more entries but far less detail, and a broader definition ofbiotechnology. In either case, readers will need to supplement the directory with a current awareness service, such as Abstracts in BioCommerce (IRL Press, £100 p.a.) and some of the many biotechnology newsletters in order to stay in touch with new business developments. A. CRAFTS-LIGHTY

Celltech Limited, 230 Bath Road, Slough SL1 4EN, Berks, UK.