Analysis of the “Biosimilar” Pharmaceutical Markets

in #investing7 years ago (edited)


Introduction

The type of pharmaceutical drug being referenced throughout this discussion goes by many different names. These terms include “biopharmaceuticals”, “biological medical products”, or simply a “biologic”.

Some regulatory agencies distinguish between (1) medicines that are extracted “directly” from biological sources, such as blood components and vaccines; and (2) medicines that are based on engineered macromolecular products, such as nucleic acid-based drugs.

The European Medicines Agency (the equivalent of the US FDA) uses the term “advanced therapy medicinal products” for most new medicines that are based on “genes, cells or tissue engineering.”

There will be an attempt to use the term “biologic(s)” for all such drugs throughout the remainder of this discussion. Any generic version of a biologic drug is called a “biosimilar,” and this term will be used below.

It is widely anticipated that the market for generic versions of biologics will expand at a rapid rate, and will be profitable for the leaders in this future market.

A brief history of biologics is helpful to understanding the recent development of the biosimilar market. Next, the very recent history of the biosimilar market will be presented. Following that is a discussion of the major companies in the biosimilar pharmaceutical economy; and lastly, there will be a conclusion and recommendation about a possible SDG.

Brief History of Biologics

These types of medicines actually were the first kinds of medicines used by almost all cultures prior to the advent of “modern” medicines. Peoples have been using potions, extracts, concoctions, elixirs, plants, etc. for centuries; and these types of medicines are still in use in certain regions of the world.

In modern times, most biologics are produced by means of a biological process involving recombinant DNA technology. This is a relatively well-understood platform for creating “new” substances.

The first such new substance was created in 1982: a biosynthetic “human” insulin. This was developed by a company called Genetech, now a division of Roche Holdings.

Most of the biopharmaceutical medicines created since the 80’s are based on genes, cells or tissue engineering using recombinant DNA technology, as noted above. These medicines have been close to miracles in treating a broad range of diseases.

However, in addition to the great advances in treating illnesses, these drugs have raised other complex issues, including high costs, variable regulatory development, new approval processes for their use, and ethical issues associated with their use in certain situations.

Another type of modern biologic are monoclonal antibodies that bind to specific proteins or cells within the body, and produce a natural immune response.

That's it for part 1! Part 2 will be posted tomorrow and will continue this analysis of the "Biosimilar" Pharmaceutical Markets! Stay tuned and don't forget to answer the QOTD!


Question of the Day:

Have you heard of Biologics before reading this post? What did or didn't you know about them before reading this post?

Thank you for reading!

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I hadn't heard the term biologics before reading this post but I knew about synthetic insulin.
I have been watching the bio tech industry for years waiting for the massive breakthroughs that we're promised in the early 90s, I guess this stuff takes some time. With the crispr Gene editing advance I think everything in the field went into hyperdrive, so hopefully the promised land is around the corner. Biotech will be HUGE one day soon so picking up the companies with the best people now would be an investment with the wind at it's back : )

I agree! This is a defining time for industries such as these. Thanks for sharing your input!

Nice one dear friend, I enjoyed reading your posts, and thanks for the wonderful idea of helping newbies on steemit, thanks for the good work.

Thank you! I appreciate your support and kind words!

What I understand about biological. Is a product (as a globulin, serum, vaccine, antitoxin, or antigen) used in the prevention or treatment of disease.

Biologics are an expanding field of interest and generic versions of these biologics are becoming ever more popular and relevant to companies in the field! Thanks for sharing your input!

Very well written !

Than you!

great post. I've never heard the term biologics

Thanks! It's a very interesting field of study! I recommend you look into it a bit!

Thanks for sharing that great article

Thank you for reading and supporting! It is greatly appreciated!

you're welcome