The Complexity of Protein Structure and the Challenges it Poses in Developing Biopharmaceuticals

In this chapter the key elements and characteristics of what constitutes the structure of a protein, along with the associated nomenclature that underlines the vocabulary of this subject are reviewed. Once delineated the discussion proceeds to explain how these unique structural properties of proteins play out in creating the challenging environment that needs to be studied, understood and overcome in order to develop a successful protein biopharmaceutical. Effectively, this chapter lays out the biophysical battlefield the biopharmaceutical scientist must transverse through to capture the rewards of achieving the successful approval of a protein drug product.