Biologics
Biologics, sometimes referred to as large-molecule drugs, are protein-based therapeutics (e.g. monoclonal antibodies) that are produced using unique cell lines, including mammalian cells, yeast, and bacteria.
Unlike small-molecule drugs and corresponding generics that are manufactured via chemical synthesis, biologics undergo essential post- translational modifications when manufactured in living cells.
Protein-based therapeutics
Biologics
Undergo post-translational modifications essential to safety & efficacy
Large molecule drugs
Bioequivalent, but not interchangeable
Not patentable
Lower capital expenditure
Biosimilars
Biosimilars are protein-based therapeutics that are highly similar to and manifest no meaningful clinical differences in comparison with existing reference biologics. Biosimilar products must manifest equivalent structure-function characteristics and must maintain equivalent purity, potency and safety.
In contrast to generic small-molecule drugs, interchangeable biosimilar drug products do not currently exist, predominantly because of the inherent complexity of biological drug products and the necessity for high quality standards for bioequivalence, potency and purity.
Time to develop with existing technologies
10 -15 years
7 -10 years
Complexity
For both biologics and biosimilars, the inherent complexity and high-quality standards impose a substantial burden on their commercial scale manufacture, as even minor deviations in protein expression, isolation, and purification may lead to differences in the structure, reactivity, stability, and other quality aspects of the end product, causing lot-to-lot variations. Any of these differences has the potential to affect the treatment’s safety, efficacy, and shelf life, and to increase the risk of an unwanted immune system response.
For these reasons, the cost to reliably manufacture these biopharmaceuticals at commercial scale is generally quite high. As biosimilars emerge, the necessity to achieve parity on purity and efficacy at a lower price point is paramount, wherein the necessary cost reductions will be derived from increases to purity, yield and throughput and decreases to footprint, capital expenditure and operational expenditure with respect to the manufacturing line. It is clear that these cost reductions will only be attained through robust process innovations.
| Size | Aspirin | IgG Antibody |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
21 atoms
|
25,000 atoms
|
|
| Complexity |  |
 |
| 150 parts |
6,000,000 parts |