AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASES - KNOWLEDGE GENERATION AND UTILIZATION

General observations point to the changes that technological innovatio ns have recently been facing. Trends that can be identified are the in creasingly importance of science for technology, and the growing signi ficance of interdisciplinary research. These trends have been found to be of relevance to innovations within pharmaceutical research and dev elopment. This paper presents more detailed research results, specific ally for the area of autoimmune disease. It can be shown that, compare d to the overall pharmaceutical sector, technological developments in autoimmune diseases are even more strongly based on scientific researc h. Between 1970 and 1980 application independent knowledge generation took first place; since then, interrelations between scientific activi ties and application oriented developments have increased. The nature of the knowledge generated has changed: the field is developing toward s medical applications and, at the same time, basic research areas are becoming more important. About 25% of scientific publications are gen erated by European countries, with Great Britain being the most active . Despite being behind Europe in knowledge production, the US is most active in using this knowledge, and files the largest number of patent documents.