This report examines the latest developments in the vaccine industry with particular emphasis placed on the role of vaccines in the prevention and treatment of cancer. It includes an overview of the immune system, an outline of how immunisation works and an assessment of how different types of vaccine work with that system. The report looks in particular at the suitability of cancer as a target for the next generation of vaccines.

The report examines the size and value of the vaccine market as it is today. This includes a full discussion of the vaccines that have reached the marketplace, including the first cancer vaccines. The vaccine market is currently dominated by a handful of pharmaceutical companies and these are also discussed.

The vaccine industry faces numerous opportunities as its understanding of the immune system grows, increasing both the number of vaccines in development and the range of suitable indications to target. However, there are also serious challenges that must be overcome: developers and manufacturers face technical and commercial challenges.

The report includes a full discussion of the many vaccines currently in development, focusing on those for cancer and for other unmet needs. The report concludes with profiles of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that are actively developing cancer vaccines, as well as the major players in the vaccine market as a whole.

The report provides:
- an overview of the immune system - enables an understanding of how vaccines have worked in the past and how an increasing knowledge of how - the immune system works is affecting the types of vaccine currently in development.
- a discussion of the immunological aspects of cancer
- a summary of the types of vaccines available
- a discussion of the vaccines market - how important cancer vaccines are and an assessment of the size of the market
- a complete guide to the current vaccines on the market - background on the indications targeted by these vaccines and the companies that develop them
- study of the major players in the market
- review of the technical and commercial challenges - how to overcome the difficulties associated with vaccination
- full study of the vaccines in development
- profiles of 40 companies actively involved in the development of cancer vaccines