title: From "blockbusters" to "biosimilars": an opportunity for patients, medical specialists and health care providers.
abstract: Advances in basic research and research and development plans of pharmaceutical companies are radically changing the kind of available drugs and therapeutic targets. We are switching from predominantly chemical molecules, aimed at treating large populations of patients (blockbuster drugs), to a new generation of products, mostly biotech, aimed at modifying a specific pathogenetic mechanism. In other word we are moving fast to targeted therapy, which represents the first step toward personalized therapy, where the right drug at the right dose is administered to the right person, at the right time. Like the patent expiration of chemical products has corresponded to the development of generic drugs, the expiration of new biotech products will witness the appearance of biosimilars. The latter are biologic products that are highly similar but not identical to the reference medical products in terms of quality, safety and efficacy. This implies specific research, clinical monitoring, physicians updating of knowledge for a safe and appropriate use of these products. We are the beginning of a devolution in patient's care and physicians' practice.
authors.affiliation: Allergy & Respiratory Diseases Clinic-University of Genoa, IRCCS-AOU San Martino, Pad. Maragliano, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy. fulvio.braido@unige.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Braido
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holgate
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000379:methods; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D010330:Patents as Topic; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D059451:Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; D016568:Drugs, Generic