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Genetics & Biotechnology vocabulary · Biotech Products and Bioprocessing

Biosimilar

Meaning in genetics & biotechnology, with examples

/ˌbaɪoʊˈsɪmələr/nounAdvanced term

In genetics & biotechnology, biosimilar means: A biological medicine that is highly similar to an already approved original biologic and has no meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness.

In Turkish: biyobenzer, biyobenzer ilaç

How it is used

Used in the pharmaceutical industry, regulation and hospital purchasing. Biosimilars appear when the patents on biologics such as monoclonal antibodies or insulin expire. Unlike generic drugs, they cannot be exact copies, because they are made in living cells. The original medicine is called the 'reference product'.

Example sentences

  1. Several biosimilars of the antibody entered the market after its patent expired.

  2. The hospital switched its patients to a cheaper biosimilar.

Common collocations

  • biosimilar approval
  • biosimilar development
  • switch to a biosimilar
  • reference product
  • biosimilar market
  • monoclonal antibodyAn antibody made by identical immune cells, all clones of one parent cell, so that it binds to exactly one target. Many modern drugs and lab reagents are monoclonal antibodies.
  • recombinant proteinA protein produced by putting its gene into host cells such as bacteria, yeast or mammalian cells, which then make the protein in large amounts.
  • biotechnologyThe use of living cells, organisms or biological molecules to make products or solve problems in medicine, agriculture, industry and the environment.
  • bioreactorA vessel in which cells or microorganisms are grown under carefully controlled conditions, such as temperature, pH, oxygen and mixing, to make a product.

More terms: Biotech Products and Bioprocessing

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