biosimilar

[bahy-oh-sim-uh-ler]

noun

1. a biopharmaceutical that is very similar, but not identical, to a previously manufactured one.

   Do the biosimilars require fewer clinical trials?

adjective

1. of or relating to biopharmaceuticals that closely resemble previously manufactured ones.

   biosimilar products; biosimilar medicine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of biosimilar¹

First recorded in 2000–05; bio(pharmaceutical) ( def. ) + similar ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Swiss pharmaceutical company said following the resolution that it planned to launch Enzeevu, a biosimilar version of Regeneron’s Eylea, by the end of 2026.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We are also waiting to see whether there is a biosimilar introduced for diabetes treatment later in the decade.

Read more on Barron's

Announced in 2019, CalRX is the state’s effort to contract with generic and biosimilar drug makers to offer cheaper versions of insulin and other medications.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In addition, the cost of the drug, which is now an off-patent, generic and 'biosimilar' medicine, has fallen considerably from around £15,000 to around £3,000 per patient per year.

Read more on Science Daily

Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved Amgen's biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson's blockbuster psoriasis treatment, Stelara, for multiple inflammatory diseases.

Read more on Reuters