biosimilar

American  

[bahy-oh-sim-uh-ler] / ˌbaɪ oʊˈsɪm ə lər /

noun

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

   Do the biosimilars require fewer clinical trials?

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adjective

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

   biosimilar products; biosimilar medicine.

Etymology

Origin of biosimilar

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biosimilar

“That lack of predictability leaves a biosimilar manufacturer asking: ‘I can bring value, but is that market going to be there?’”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Large-molecule biosimilar manufacturers face a far harder technical task: replicating a large, complex protein closely enough to satisfy regulators, at development costs that can run up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Assuming the drug goes to market, Citi’s Meacham believes it’s “unlikely to be a meaningful share mover given the intensifying competitive landscape and approaching biosimilar headwinds” in the second half of the year.

From Barron's ● May 18, 2026

So, the PBMs had every financial incentive to keep selling Humira rather than provide patients with a much less expensive biosimilar version of the medicine.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026

In 2024, Blue Shield created Pharmacy Care Reimagined to negotiate directly with drug companies to provide its members with better access to biosimilar medicines.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 7, 2026