Biologics are not synthesized chemically or from biological sources but are instead produced by biological organisms including humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. They are deemed more effective than pharmaceuticals but are more sensitive to heat, microbial contamination, and degradation, thus need to be kept in a liquid solution. Biologics can be whole cells (alive or dead), biomolecules, or other components of cells. Biologics include vaccines, gene cell therapy (CGT), therapeutic proteins like insulin, growth hormones, and blood products. They are large molecules and complex structures and sometimes have an unknown structure. (ISTA)
« Back to Glossary Index
