Biosimilars: Current scenario and challenges in India

Abstract

For a long period of time, biologics have been a major part of the pharmaceutical sector in providing treatment for most complex diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. With their patent expiration, a wide scope of opportunities has been unleashed for their replication. For the low molecular weight biologics, generics are preferable and safe option, whereas the large sized biologics being inaccessible for their price have led to the introduction of a new genre of medicine, Biosimilar. Biosimilar is designed with the intent to treat a patient in the same way as an existing biologic therapy. They are not the exact replicas of their innovator drugs. They are derived protein having immunogenic reaction and risk of adverse events. Despite the hurdles, biosimilar offer promising beneficial and cost effective option, if allowed to be understood by physicians and patients.