• Note: Biologics are medications derived from living organisms (human, animal, or microorganisms) rather than chemical synthesis.
  • We require living cells to produce biologics because only living cells reproduce living organisms.
  • Biologic medicines include blood products and vaccines. stem cell therapy, etc.
• Benefits
  • Can help in the treatment of rare diseases or diseases without proper medicines available now, like cancer or genetic diseases.
  • It will help in controlling pandemic situations like the recent coronavirus disease by controlling the rapid spread.
• Challenges
  • Scientists can’t simply manufacture them like normal drugs because they can be produced only in living cells.
  • An immune reaction can happen since these medicines mimic living organisms.

Source: The Hindu