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?

---

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

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

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

Related to that, we are going to have the mother of all generic and biosimilar drug cycles from 2026 to 2036.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Related to that, we are going to have the mother of all generic and biosimilar drug cycles from 2026 to 2036.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

The South Korean biosimilar contract-development-and-manufacturing-organization company has decided to buy a 100% stake in GSK-owned Genome Sciences in Rockville, Md., for $280 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025