Slide 2:
Summary of Biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals are medicines made from living cells.
They are made up of large, complex proteins that can target diseases in ways that other drugs cannot.
Because they are so complex, they cannot be copied exactly. But drugs that work in a similar way, so-called biosimilars, can also be produced based on biopharmaceuticals.
Slide 3:
Understanding biosimilarsS
Biosimilars are almost identical copies of biopharmaceuticals. They offer the same benefits, have the same side effects and are used in the same doses. A biosimilar is just as safe and effective as the original biopreparation, which is called a “reference” medicine.
Slide 4:
Why biosimilars are important
Biopharmaceuticals can treat serious and chronic conditions such as:
- arthritis
- Cancer
- psoriasis
- Autoimmune diseases
But they are expensive and take time to develop.
Biosimilars offer the same therapeutic options at a lower cost, giving more people access to advanced therapies.
Slide 5:
Production of a biosimilar
Preparing a biosimilar is similar to cooking a complex dish. Living cells are given genetic instructions, such as a recipe to make a particular protein.
Under carefully controlled conditions, they produce proteins that are then purified for use as drugs.
Slide 6:
Tested security
Biosimilars go through a rigorous evaluation process. To be approved, they must not show a clinically significant difference from the reference biopharmaceutical. You must:
- Use the same natural materials
- Have almost the same molecular structure
- There is no clinically significant difference in safety and side effects
Slide 7:
Proven effectiveness
Studies confirm that biosimilars provide the same clinical results as biopharmaceuticals, without significant differences in safety or side effects.
Biosimilars are only approved if they have the same dose, strength and effectiveness as the reference medicine.
Slide 8:
Diseases treated with biosimilars
Biosimilars are used to treat serious and chronic diseases:
- psoriasis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- diabetes
- arthritis
- multiple sclerosis
- Kidney disease
- osteoporosis
- Breast, colon and lung cancer
Slide 9:
Advantages of biosimilars
Biopharmaceuticals can cost billions of dollars to develop, making them expensive to use. Biosimilars take less time and money to produce, making them more affordable.
You can help make these treatments available to more people who need them.
Slide 10:
Find out if biosimilars are right for you
Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:
- Is there a biosimilar for my disease?
- How does it compare to other treatments?
- Would the change cause different side effects or clinical outcomes?
- Is it used at home or in a clinic? Injection or intravenous?
This educational resource was created with the support of Sandoz.
