Contribution of Biopharmaceuticals

A Biopharmaceutical are the therapeutic products synthesized by the biotechnological processes. They are derived from biological sources such as organs and tissues, microorganisms, animal fluids, or genetically modified cells and organisms. Different from totally synthesized pharmaceuticals, they include vaccines, blood, blood components, allergenics, somatic cells, gene therapies, tissues, recombinant therapeutic protein, and living cells used in cell therapy. The use of proteins as drugs has been highlighted mainly by the high versatility of these biomolecules, which have different physiological roles in the human body including as catalysts, receptors, membrane channels, macromolecule carriers, and cellular defense agents.

They are produced by:

·         Recombinant DNA Technology

·         Gene therapy

·         Tissue culture

·         Transgenics

Humulin: In olden days insulin was synthesized using pancreas of slaughtered cattle, pigs or salmon. The process led in low yield of insulin which was quite difficult and tedious. Due to the presence of foreign proteins some patients developed allergy and other side effects. Due to disadvantages of animal insulin Humulin was produced. It is also sometimes referred to as rHI, under the trade name Humulin, was developed by Genentech. It is the first such substance approved for therapeutic use. Production of Humulin was done by recombinant DNA technology where E. coli bacteria used for synthesizing two DNA sequences for A and B chains of human insulin and then introduced them in plasmid of E. coli. Insulin is a proteinaceous hormone secreted by beta-cells of islets of Langerhans of pancreas which helps to decrease the blood glucose level.

Advantages of Humulin

·         It has high absorption rate and show its effectiveness in short duration.

·         It causes fewer autoimmune and allergic reactions as compared to animal insulin.

·         It is less expensive compared to animal insulin

Side effects of Humulin: Many medications can cause side effects: Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. headache, hunger, nausea, nervousness, numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, or tongue, sweating, tiredness, Anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, trembling, weakness are the side effects caused by consuming Humulin.