We see the term “biologics” a lot, especially in the medical world. Yet, many are confused about the meaning behind this ambiguous term. After all, we see the term “biological” in everything from skincare products to laundry detergent. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly biologics are, what they treat and how they feature in the medical landscape, hopefully this article will shed some light.
So, let’s start at the very beginning to find out what biological drugs are…
What Are Biologics?
Biologics, and by extension, biological products, are medical solutions that use substances or compounds based on living tissues. Biological drugs may be based on human, animal or microorganism materials and can be used to make everything from vaccines to blood products. These come as an alternative or supplement to small-molecule pharmaceuticals, which comprise commonly known synthetic drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and penicillin.
Biological drugs are composed of proteins, sugars, nucleic acids, and combinations of the same. They are manufactured through chemical synthesis. They are administered as a liquid introduced intravenously, either through a drip or an injection pen.
What Are Biologics Used to Treat?
Aside from blood products and vaccines, biologics are usually used to treat long-term chronic conditions. To date, biologics have been used successfully in the treatment of various conditions, such as:
- Crohn’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Leukemia
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Ulcerative colitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Breast and other cancers
What Makes Biologics Effective?
Biologics are more effective than small-molecule drugs in many cases (especially when combating inflammatory conditions) because their reaction to a target is highly specific, and this results in lower toxicity and fewer unwanted side effects.
Production of biological medicines, however, is highly complex when compared to the manufacture of small-molecule drugs. This, along with a lack of capacity for oral administration, has created a bottleneck for the use of biologics.
What Are Biosimilars, and Why Are They Important?
While biologics have many benefits, they can be extremely expensive (in excess of $100,000 per patient per year) and, as such, have become cost-prohibitive for some. Biosimilars are newer versions of biologics that are every bit as safe and effective as original biologics, yet tend to be less expensive. The relationship between originals and biosimilars is not unlike the relationship between branded drugs and their generic counterparts. Yet while generic drugs are identical copies of branded drugs, biosimilars are just that: similar.
Nonetheless, the use of biosimilars can save healthcare bodies and insurance companies a great deal of money, and this can only help to ensure that biologics play an increasing role in the future of healthcare.
What Are the Biggest Developments in Biologics?
Biologics are poised to change the world of medicine. As biotech becomes increasingly advanced, certain biologics markets are likely to boom in the coming years. With the rise of biosimilars, we can expect the 2020s to usher in a rise in biologics markets like:
- Biotherapeutics (treatment of metabolic and inflammatory conditions)
- Immunotherapies and antibodies
- Gene and cell therapies
One thing’s for sure: as biologics become more sophisticated and affordable, there’s no telling what breakthroughs they will help to facilitate.
Quality Packaging Solutions From Origin
After reading this blog, you now know all about what biological drugs are and how essential they could become to healthcare in the future.
At Origin, we constantly keep on top of the latest developments within pharmaceuticals as part of our forward-thinking approach to packaging. We create a range of pharmaceutical packaging to effectively protect and smartly present a range of pharmaceuticals, with a diverse selection of plastic packaging and glass packaging options available.
If you’d like to find out more about the latest medical developments and the benefits of various types of packaging, you can find many more insightful articles on our pharma packaging blog.
To find out how we can work with you to develop bespoke packaging solutions, chat with our expert team today.
