title: [Biologics - nomenclature and classification].
abstract: Biological medicines are a heterogeneous group of drugs that are produced by living organisms using genetic or biological technology. Unlike chemically derived small molecules biologics are structurally complex making characterization and manufacturing difficult. Moreover, biological medicines show a great variety concerning their clinical use. To appropriately consider these particularities, there are other standards and guidelines for approval of similar derivatives of biologics, the so-called biosimilars or follow-on biologics. In contrast to a generic medicinal product containing a chemically identical active ingredient, a biosimilar is only expected to be similar to the innovator drug. Nowadays, monoclonal antibodies, fragments of antibodies, and fusion proteins manufactured by recombinant procedures play an important role. They have been used in many specialties for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and are subject to continuous further development and improvement. Their nomenclature is based on a classification by the WHO which allows drawing conclusions for class of substance, origin, and pharmacological target.
authors: Abteilung Klinische Pharmakologie und Pharmakoepidemiologie, Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg. christine.eichbaum@yahoo.de
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Eichbaum
authors: Walter E
authors: WE
authors: Haefeli
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001688:Biological Products / Q000145:classification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000145:classification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001688:Biological Products; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; D011994:Recombinant Proteins