biologicals
Organism-sourced therapeutic agents
Biologicals are medical products derived from living organisms rather than synthesized chemically—vaccines, blood products, gene therapies, and similar treatments.
The term distinguishes these from conventional pharmaceuticals.
In regulatory contexts, biologicals face different approval processes than small-molecule drugs: The FDA has separate pathways for biologicals.
Near-copies of biologic medicines
- interferonImmune response protein
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
- biopharmaceuticalsMedicines derived from living sources
Protective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- immunityProtected from harm
- prophylaxisPreventive medical treatment
- BCGTuberculosis immunization
booster · adjuvant · inactivated · antigen
Defensive blood protein
- monoclonalFrom single ancestor cell
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- neutralizingMaking something ineffective
- epitopeAntibody binding region
specificity · affinity · hybridoma · chimeric · humanized
Pancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- luteinizingCausing corpus formation
- gonadotropinHormone stimulating reproductive glands
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
Microbe-containing growth promoter
- biopesticideNatural pest control agent
- biocontrolPest control via organisms
biosimilars
Near-copies of biologic medicines
- interferonImmune response protein
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- immunotherapyDisease treatment via body's defenses
immunization
Protective medical injection
- inoculationInjection conferring disease resistance
- immunityProtected from harm
- prophylaxisPreventive medical treatment
BCG · booster · adjuvant · inactivated · antigen
immunoglobulin
Defensive blood protein
- monoclonalFrom single ancestor cell
- B-cellsAntibody-secreting immune cells
- neutralizingMaking something ineffective
epitope · specificity · affinity · hybridoma · chimeric · humanized
insulin
Pancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- luteinizingCausing corpus formation
- gonadotropinHormone stimulating reproductive glands
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
biofertilizer
Microbe-containing growth promoter
- biopesticideNatural pest control agent
- biocontrolPest control via organisms
thrombolytics
Clot-dissolving medications
- collagenaseEnzyme degrading fibrous protein
biologicalssynthetic chemicals
Artificially produced molecular substances
synthetics · pharmaceuticals · synthetic drugs · petrochemicals
- biological clocksInnate timing mechanisms in organisms
- biological parentsThose who conceived you
- biological fatherMale progenitor by blood
- biological motherFemale who gave birth
- biological weaponsWeaponized pathogens or toxins
- biological sexOrganism's reproductive classification