From: What is the future of targeted therapy in rheumatology: biologics or small molecules?
Biologics | Small molecules | |
---|---|---|
Chemical composition | Protein | Organic small molecule |
Structure | Known sequence, variable three-dimensional structure and glycosylation | Well-defined structure |
Molecular weight | >1 kDa | <700 Da |
Stability | Protease and heat-sensitive | Mostly stable |
Administration | Parenteral | Oral |
In vivo half-life | (Usually) Long | (Usually) Short |
Target | Extracellular | Intracellular |
Mechanism of action | (Usually) Blocking, depletion | (Usually) Enzyme inhibition |
Specificity | High | Low/variable |
Manufacturing cost | High | Low/variable |
Degradation | Catabolism | Metabolism |
Generics | Biosimilar | Identical |