Biologics?
Singapore also secured six major biologics investments over the last few years totaling about S$2.5 billion from Roche, Lonza, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Baxter, which could potentially create about 1,300 new jobs” (MOH, 2009).
What exactly is biologics?
Biologics is a subset of manufacturing processes which also comprises of pharmaceuticals and nutritionals. They are medicinal products manufactured from biological systems consisting of proteins, genes and cells. Contrast this with the small molecular drugs that are typically composed of only 20 to 100 atoms and chemically synthesized through the manufacturing process of pharmaceuticals. Biologics, on the other hand, are typically composed of 200 to 50,000 atoms (Genetech, n.d.). As such, the larger sized biologics consisting of vaccines, hormones, recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, etc. are typically injected or infused directly into the bloodstream to be effective (BIO, 2010).
Larger biologics tend to be produced as diverse mixtures of molecules that differ very slightly from one another and this makes them difficult to characterize. Coupled with a manufacturing process involving cell culture etc., the rigor of it is definitely a key challenge. Within Asia, Singapore is the only country developing capabilities across the entire value chain of biologics; from research, pilot-scale production, commercial-scale contract manufacturing, commercial-scale manufacturing to fill and finish (Drugs, 2007). A homegrown pioneering biologics contract manufacturer, A-Bio Pharma, has provided clinical-scale biologics manufacturing services to global pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novo Nordisk.
By 2010, analysts expect sales of biologics products to make up 60 per cent of the sales growth of drugs (Straits Times, 2009). Find out how your degree prepares you for an exciting career in manufacturing and other roles such as supply chain, business development, and quality and validation. Be part of this engine of growth in the biomedical industry.
Leave your response!