The recombinant chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody Rituxan (rituximab) from Biogen Idec and marketed by Genentech and Roche posted 2006 sales of US$ 3.9 bln. The targeted B cell therapy is currently approved for CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and for rheumatoid arthritis. Many phase III studies are ongoing to extend range of indictions into lupus nephritis, SLE, multiple sclerosis and vasculitis. The commercial success and the expiry of the first patents in 2013 has R&D in many companies to work on next generation CD20 antibodies and on biosimilar versions. The first biogeneric version of Rituxan has been launched in India. Second generation fully human or humanized versions are in advanced clinical development. Third generation antibodies are engineered to increase efficacy with the first molecules in early clinical development. Technology companies are utilizing the clinically and commercially validated target for application of their technologies.

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