Innovative Biologics, Biosimilars and Biobetters: Development of Biopharma Industry in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Wang, Ren-Hong, 王仁宏
• Other Authors: Chu, Po-Young
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/bzb399

碩士 === 國立交通大學 === 管理學院高階主管管理碩士學程 === 106 === Biologics have been gaining significant attraction in the pharmaceutical industry in last two decades. However the high cost of biologics has become an important issue in the battle concerning ever-increasing healthcare costs. In 2016 the global sales of biologics were over USD 160 billion. The blockbuster biologics that face recent loss in exclusivity or patent expiration create opportunities for the development of copy version of these medicinal products with similar biological activities (biosimilars). Wave of biosimilars is coming to the world overwhelmingly. There have been concerns over the degree of biosimilarity of these copy biologics due to the complex structures in addition to the hope that their introduction may reduce the cost of such expensive therapeutics. On the other hand, big biopharmas are dedicating to the development of second-generation medicines (biobetters) in order to reduce the impact of potential biosimilars on their market shares. Fierce competition of biosimilar markets is under our expectations. The biotech startups have been blooming under the Taiwanese government’s supports since early 2000s. Their business strategies are diverse between innovative, biosimilars and biobetters based on their expertise and platforms. In contrast to Celltrion and Samsung BioLogics supported by South Korean government, we lack a lead biotech firm in Taiwan that can compete with them. Given the limit of market size in Taiwan, unique geographical location and huge yet quick changing market in China, how to identify the market niche and well define business strategies are important topics to the biopharma industry in Taiwan today.