biopharmaceutical

American  

[bahy-oh-fahr-muh-soo-ti-kuhl] / ˌbaɪ oʊˌfɑr məˈsu tɪ kəl /

noun

1. a medical drug derived from biological components through biotechnology.

   Transgenic plants are used to make biopharmaceuticals.

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biopharmaceutical British  

/ ˌbaɪəʊˌfɑːməˈsjuːtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to drugs produced using biotechnology

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Etymology

Origin of biopharmaceutical

First recorded in 1980–85; bio- ( def. ) + pharmaceutical ( def. )

Example Sentences

Neurocrine Biosciences is betting that a $2.9 billion acquisition of a biopharmaceutical company can speed up its strategy to start developing new treatments for obesity.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

GSK struck a $950 million deal to buy Canada’s 35Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company developing cardiopulmonary treatments, as the U.K. drugmaker seeks to bolster its exposure to diseases linked to obesity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Gilead Sciences rose 5.8% after the biopharmaceutical company beat analysts’ estimates for fourth-quarter earnings and revenue.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

The biopharmaceutical company’s drug, BHV-7000, failed to meet its primary endpoint for the treatment of major depressive disorder in a phase 2 trial, the company said on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

The top 15 biopharmaceutical companies and their brand-name drugs produce 75% of the sector’s revenue and account for the majority of late-stage manufacturing capacity.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025