Some of the most effective drugs and treatments in the pharmaceutical industry come from biopharmaceuticals? What are biopharmaceuticals? They’re drugs created using biotechnology.
Biopharmaceuticals have been around for several decades with the first being the creation of recombinant human insulin in 1982. Since then, the industry has blossomed and is one of the fastest-growing aspects of the pharmaceutical industry.
When you read about a high-tech drug, it was likely created through biotechnology. We’ve created this guide to help you understand the basic concepts of biopharmaceuticals, how they work, and how they impact your lives.
Check out these five biopharmaceutical facts.
Table of Contents
What Are Biopharmaceuticals?
We discussed earlier how they are connected to biotechnology. Drugs created from biopharmaceuticals come from organic components such as plants, animals, DNA, proteins, and other aspects of living cells and organisms.
It involves the specialized engineering of plants and animals to create these specific drugs. The United States currently is the largest biopharmaceutical market and leads the world in research and development.
Two Classes of Biopharmaceuticals
There are two primary classes of biopharmaceuticals: Innovator biologics and biosimilars.
Innovator biologics are brand new creations developed by biotechnology. As such, they are untested and must go through rigorous testing and trials before being approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Biosimilars are creations that are already like existing innovators and there isn’t much difference between the biosimilar and the innovator for safety, potency, and purity.
What Do Biopharmaceuticals Companies Do?
With support from different pharmaceutical investors and biotechnology firms, there are many companies throughout the world working on biopharmaceuticals. They use transgenic organisms, which are plants and animals genetically modified to create a specific protein, antibody, etc. that can be used to treat, diagnose, or cure a disease or other problem.
They place billions of dollars in the research and development of these new drugs. Initial trials usually begin with simulations and animal testing before being approved for human trials. It can take years for a drug to make it to market because of the stringent requirements of the FDA.
What Are Biopharmaceuticals Used For?
You know what biopharmaceuticals are, but how are they used? One of the most common uses is the development of vaccines for disease. It’s used to help treat blood diseases, genetic therapies, cell therapy and so much more.
There are few areas of medicine where biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals aren’t used. Unlike many non-organic based treatments, biopharmaceuticals are like human biology and have fewer side effects.
Biopharmaceuticals Will Only Grow
With all the benefits of biopharmaceuticals, companies such as Roivant Sciences are investing time, money, and people into the development of new drugs and therapies. It’s estimated that there are more than 800,000 people in the biopharmaceutical industry, and it’s expected to grow.
Many of the advancements in current and future medicine will be made through biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals.
Learn More About Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals are poised to become the leading method for creating treatments and cures. What are biopharmaceuticals? They are the future of medicine.
If you want to learn more about the pharmaceutical industry, then please explore our site.
