Biologics

Most medicines today, such as aspirin, penicillin and chemotherapeutics, are compounds known as small molecules. Small molecules are a diverse group of natural and synthetic substances which generally have a low molecular weight. Small molecules are obtained either from natural sources – such as plants, fungi or microbes – or they are synthesized by organic chemistry.

But now a new kind of compound is delivering an increasing number of novel and targeted treatments. Whether they are called large molecules, protein therapeutics or biologics, they are proteins derived from living sources such as mammalian cells and grown in an artificial environment. Large molecules are aptly named. They can be 200 or more times the size of small molecules. Often designed to bind to specific cell surface receptors – which themselves are large molecules – biologics are generally more targeted than traditional small molecule drugs.

Biologics account for an increasing proportion of commercially significant products and as much as 25% of major new therapies could be biologics in the future. Biologics have the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases – we have certainly seen the impact in oncology and immunology, where biologics will play a major role with a growing number already on the horizon. Large molecules have also shown a higher probability of success than small molecules. In addition, it is often difficult for small molecules to interact with large receptors and stimulate a response as well. At the same time, biologics represent specific challenges primarily in the area of complexity and cost of manufacturing.

Bristol-Myers Squibb's experience with marketed biologics began with the approval of its first biologic in 2004 and continued with the approval of its first internally discovered and developed biologic in 2005. Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to increasing its biologics capability through technology acquisitions, licensing opportunities and in-house development.