Small molecule drugs account for the majority of the pharmaceuticals market in terms of number of products, but the fastest growing segment of the market is biologics. Unlike small molecules, biologics are large proteins that require different approaches to development and manufacturing. Created via biological processes rather than being chemically synthesised, biologics are more complex and this makes them more difficult to manufacture and characterise.
At present, the majority of research and development for biologics is focused on recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Biologics are used for the treatment of a range of conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases and immune disorders. By their nature, biologics are more targeted than small molecule therapies. The targeted distribution of a biologic drug is particularly useful in cancer, in that the drug can selectively bind to the receptors on cancer cells, leaving healthy cells undamaged. This in turn means fewer side-effects for patients.
Development of targeted therapies allows pharmaceutical companies to offer drugs or products to those patient groups for whom the drugs will be most effective. It may also be that a targeted product can progress through clinical trials more easily than a drug given to a general disease population. Small molecule drugs generally hit sites all over the body, giving greater potential for side-effects than more targeted biologics.
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