Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals (also called biologics)
are drug products derived from living organisms,
such as microorganisms, plants,
or animals, using biotechnological
methods. They are typically made from proteins, nucleic acids,
or other biologically active substances, and they are often large, complex
molecules compared to traditional small-molecule drugs.
Key Characteristics of Biopharmaceuticals:
1. Production:
- Biopharmaceuticals
are produced through biotechnological
processes, such as recombinant
DNA technology, cell
cultures, or fermentation.
Examples include the use of bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells to
produce therapeutic proteins like insulin
or monoclonal antibodies.
2. Types
of Biopharmaceuticals:
- Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs):
Engineered antibodies used to treat diseases like cancer (e.g., Rituximab, Trastuzumab) and
autoimmune diseases (e.g., Adalimumab).
- Recombinant Proteins:
Therapeutic proteins such as insulin,
growth hormones, and erythropoietin (EPO),
which are used for diseases like diabetes and anemia.
- Vaccines:
Biologically-derived products that stimulate the immune system to protect
against infectious diseases (e.g., HPV
vaccine, COVID-19
vaccines).
- Gene Therapies: These
include products that deliver or modify genetic material to treat genetic
disorders (e.g., Zolgensma
for spinal muscular atrophy).
- Blood Products: Such as
clotting factors for hemophilia or immunoglobulins
for immune deficiencies.
3. Administration:
- Biopharmaceuticals
are often administered via injection
or infusion, as they are too
large or unstable to be taken orally.
Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals (also called biologics)
are drug products derived from living organisms,
such as microorganisms, plants,
or animals, using biotechnological
methods. They are typically made from proteins, nucleic acids,
or other biologically active substances, and they are often large, complex
molecules compared to traditional small-molecule drugs.
Key Characteristics of Biopharmaceuticals:
1. Production:
- Biopharmaceuticals
are produced through biotechnological
processes, such as recombinant
DNA technology, cell
cultures, or fermentation.
Examples include the use of bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells to
produce therapeutic proteins like insulin
or monoclonal antibodies.
2. Types
of Biopharmaceuticals:
- Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs):
Engineered antibodies used to treat diseases like cancer (e.g., Rituximab, Trastuzumab) and
autoimmune diseases (e.g., Adalimumab).
- Recombinant Proteins:
Therapeutic proteins such as insulin,
growth hormones, and erythropoietin (EPO),
which are used for diseases like diabetes and anemia.
- Vaccines:
Biologically-derived products that stimulate the immune system to protect
against infectious diseases (e.g., HPV
vaccine, COVID-19
vaccines).
- Gene Therapies: These
include products that deliver or modify genetic material to treat genetic
disorders (e.g., Zolgensma
for spinal muscular atrophy).
- Blood Products: Such as
clotting factors for hemophilia or immunoglobulins
for immune deficiencies.
3. Administration:
- Biopharmaceuticals
are often administered via injection
or infusion, as they are too
large or unstable to be taken orally.
