Biologic Drugs Vs. Small Molecule Drugs

by DNA Illustrations

Title

Biologic Drugs Vs. Small Molecule Drugs

Artist

DNA Illustrations

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Editorial medical illustration depicting the differences between biosimilars (or follow-on biologics), a biologic medical product, versus chemically constructed small molecule drugs. Biosimilars, a class of biologic medicine, are much bigger in size and more complex on the molecular level than small molecule drugs. On the right is the small molecule structure of aspirin (21 molecules), whereas the left side shows a monoclonal antibody made up of approximately 10,000-20,000 molecules. The various biosimilar drugs depicted include monoclonal antibodies, scFv, Fab, and scFab, whereas the small molecule drugs are identical. Also shown is a vial used for recombinant DNA procedures with plasmids as vectors and the desired fragments of DNA which are attached to the plasmids, forming recombinant plasmids. These are inserted into various living organisms. Among the living organisms shown is gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and Proteus mirabilis), gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis), yeast (Pichia pastoris), Filamentous fungi (Aspergillus niger var. awamori) and protozoa (Leishmania tarentolae). These living organisms then produce the desired biosimilars in a fermentation tank.

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August 3rd, 2015

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