ABSTRACT

Biotechnology has been used since the 1970s as a means for producing biopharmaceuticals, but its roles in R&D are quite different from those in manufacturing.

Genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics pharmaceutical literature is scattered among a variety of journals and databases. Both academic and commercial laboratories are publishing at an ever-increasing rate, making it difficult for all of the information to be absorbed, integrated, and ultimately put to practical use. In addition, the field is extremely competitive, with potentially huge profits for drug and biotech companies

that can turn promising compounds into marketable products. This can sometimes lead to information silos and secrecy among researchers.