Biopharmaceuticals: New yet Natural

Abstract

Biopharmaceuticals are large complex therapeutic drug molecules composed of amino acids, nucleotides and proteins obtained by extraction from non-conventional sources. The biopharmaceutical products include cytokines, interleukins, enzymes, hormones, monoclonal antibodies and clotting factors. Biopharmaceuticals due to their complex heterogeneity are highly sensitive and unstable in nature and may undergo degradation if temperature or pH is altered. The term “biopharmaceutical” is still debatable and the definition of biopharmaceutical is still unclear. The current review intends to throw a light on the general information regarding biopharmaceuticals such as their regulatory definition(s), types, production systems (microbial, plants and mammalian), characterization and delivery techniques of biopharmaceuticals. The global scenario of the sales of biopharmaceuticals is represented along with a case study of biopharmaceuticals in cancer treatment and the sales of oncological products world over. The Indian biotech industries have grown immensely in the last few years such that various pharmaceutical industries are diversifying into biopharmaceutical production. In contrast to so many therapeutic applications, the biopharmaceuticals possess few limitations such as bioaccumulation in the body, toxicity, immunogenicity, contamination, high manufacturing cost etc. The biopharmaceuticals hold a promising future for the healthcare industry. Many innovations in biopharmaceuticals are underway including biosimilars, biobetters, biodrugs, diagnostic biomarkers such as lab on a chip technology and drug therapy based on genetic buildup of an individual (Pharmacogenomics).