Viral gene delivery underpins a range of therapies including gene therapy, vaccines and drug discovery. A likely flu pandemic, biothreats, the approval of the first gene therapy product in 2004 and the expanded use of viral vectors in drug discovery are key drivers in a market where income from gene therapeutics alone is predicted to rise from US$125 M in 2006 to US$6.5 B by 2011. There are currently a promising range of viral vectors in the clinic, led by adenoviral and lentiviral vectors. This review summarises the deals, trends and problems associated with viral gene delivery and the impact that it has had on therapeutics and the associated market.