Biopharmaceuticals: The future of Pharma Industry
What are biopharmaceuticals?
Biopharmaceuticals, in general terms, are considered pharmaceuticals derived from biological sources, and they are produced from biotechnological processes. Drugs whose manufacture by biotechnological processes involves microorganisms or genetically modified organisms or substances that are produced by living organisms (e.g., enzymes), proteins, or nucleic acid preparations that are made by recombinant DNA technology. Biopharmaceuticals are now extremely popular in various diseases like cancer, diabetes, and viral infection.
Types of Biopharmaceuticals:
1) Cytokines
2) Enzymes
3) Harmons
4) Clotting Factor
5) Vaccines
6) Monoclonal Antibodies
Formulation of Biopharmaceuticals:
The major task for the formulation of biopharmaceuticals is the stability of the formulation. Stability of protein products is difficult to maintain during storage and transportation. It’s necessary to study the dynamics of protein molecules.
Protein stabilization by biopharmaceutical excipient:
1) Solvent
2) Polymer
3) Carbohydrates
4) Solubilizer/Surfactant
Top Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer/Company
1) Novo Nordisk
2) Pfizer
3) Moderna
4) Biogen
5) Roche
1) Novo Nordisk :
Novo Nordisk is a major player in the field of biopharmaceuticals. The headquarters of Novo Nordisk is located in Denmark.
The Biopharmaceutical Product
OZEMPIC (Semaglutide) Injection: Commonly used for persons with type-2 diabetes and reduces cardiovascular events and chronic kidney diseases. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is made up of peptide, which is produced by yeast fermentation.
Levemir: It is a long-acting insulin (insulin detemir). Used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Other: Novolin 70/30, Norditropin, etc.
2) Pfizer:
Pfizer is working in the field of vaccines and medicines for cardiology, oncology, immunology, and neurology. Pfizer also works in the field of biosimilars. The major medicinal biopharmaceutical product is listed here.
COVID-19 vaccine
Abrilada : Used in moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
Abrysvo: Respiratory Syncytial vaccine.
3) Moderna:
Moderna is considered a well-known biopharmaceutical company. They mostly do the work on vaccine production.
Spikevax: It is an mRNA vaccine for active immunization to prevent covid-19.
4) Biogen:
Biogen is a leading biotechnology company and works in the biosimilar for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.
Avonex (interferon beta-1a): Used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
Tysabri (natalizumab): Used to treat relapsing form of multiple sclerosis.
Plegridy (peginterferon beta-1a): Used to treat relapsing form of multiple sclerosis.
5) Roche:
Roche is the fifth largest pharmaceutical company by revenue. Therapeutic area of work in oncology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, respiratory diseases, etc.
Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab): For rheumatoid arthritis.
Avastin (bevacizumab): A drug used in cancer treatments
Gazyva: An anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that destroys abnormal B-cells.
Biopharma Market: Worldwide
The global biopharmaceutical market is increasing day by day and valued at USD 571.84 billion in 2023 and likely to grow from USD 616.94 billion in 2024 to USD 1183.72 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period. North America dominated worldwide with 49.84% in 2023. The reports were published in Fortune Business Insights.
Market Trends:
The Asia Pacific region is emerging as a hotspot for clinical trials for biopharmaceutical products because of the large patient pull and lower cost of trials, as per a report published in a Cytel blog post in 2023.
Market segmented in enzymes, hormones, immunomodulators, vaccines, etc.
The immunomodulatory segment dominated because of an increase in approval for monoclonal antibodies.
The vaccine segment held the second position in the global biopharmaceutical market in 2023. The recombinant vaccine, conjugated vaccines, subunit vaccine, and live attenuated vaccine are included in this segment.
Hormonal segments like thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH), growth hormone (GH), insulin, etc.
Increasing demand for insulin products due to endocrine disorders.
Dominating companies in the biopharmaceutical market:
Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)
AbbVie Inc. (U.S.)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (U.S.)
Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.)
Bayer AG (Germany)