Many modern drugs and pharmaceutical products are made from living organisms. These organisms can be animal cells, plant cells, or even human cells from donors. These sorts of products are known as biopharmaceuticals or biological medicines.
Make no mistake – biological medicines are cornering the top spot in the modern medical market. Biologic drugs could even be more effective than traditional medicines, which are chemicals made from existing chemicals. So far, we can say with certainty that biological medicines are here to stay.
So, what should you know about biologics? Why does it matter? Let’s find out.
Biologics: An Overview
Biologics is a very broad term, encompassing literally hundreds of medicines, drugs, treatments, and more. While the standard definition is the same – a product made from a living organism – many biological products are completely different.
Biologics can be used to make vaccines, hormones, and enzymes.
A good example of a biologics product is that of synthetic insulin, designed for diabetics. The key problem for a diabetic is that their body no longer produces enough insulin. So, synthetic insulin is created from a biological source and is used to provide insulin via injection for the patient.
To get these biological products, and to learn more about how they work and which drugs are likely to work the best, you should consider partnering with a biological company.
What Do Biological Companies Do?
A biological company should offer a variety of services. Here are what you should get from a biologics CDMO:
- Analytics and Insights
Analytics are crucial to any experiment, and this is even more important when it comes to biological drugs. A biological company should offer specialized insights and current data on your product and how it’s being received.
- Process development
Product quality is paramount. A good biological company will help you develop the process of producing your biological item, all the way from conception to the final product.
- Biostorage
Biological products can’t just be stored anywhere. Depending on the item, the product might need to be stored, packaged, and handled in a very specific way to be safe during transit and suitable for human consumption once it gets to its destination. At the very least, a biological product should be stored with care, usually in a temperature-controlled environment.
- Cold chain preservation
Some (but not all) biological companies offer courier services, too. A biological courier should have the correct vehicle for biologics transportation, as well as suitable equipment.
Preserving the cold chain is essential to keeping a biological product usable. This means that the product should be kept in a temperature-controlled environment at all times, whether it’s being transported or sitting in a storage facility.
- Experience and specialization
Last but certainly not least, a biological company should offer plenty of experience in their chosen field. Since biologics is such a broad term, most companies specialize and excel in one or two areas of their chosen field.
The Bottom Line
Biologics can be a tricky business, but so far, it seems to represent the future of medicine. Don’t get left behind.
