Biologics and biosimilars are important categories of medicinal products that are derived from living organisms. Biologics are complex molecules, such as proteins or antibodies, that are produced through biotechnology processes. They are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, and inflammatory conditions. Biosimilars, on the other hand, are highly similar versions of approved biologics. They are developed to have comparable efficacy, safety, and quality as the reference biologic.
Biosimilars offer opportunities for increased patient access to affordable biologic treatments while maintaining high standards of safety and effectiveness. However, the development and approval of biosimilars require rigorous scientific evaluation and regulatory scrutiny to ensure their similarity to the reference biologic. The availability of biosimilars provides healthcare systems with alternatives to expensive biologics, fostering competition and potentially reducing treatment costs for patients.