INTRODUCTION FOR PATIENTS
iQone Healthcare Switzerland is offering therapeutic solutions that include a range of biosimilar therapies. What these compounds are is explained hereafter.
Biologics
Biological medicines, or biologics, are active compounds produced by living cells such as human blood cells. They are called biological medicines because they mimic substances produced by the human body, such as antibodies, which fight diseases. They are designed to target the specific cause of inflammation. Since the late 1980s, biologics have been used as treatments against autoimmune diseases, cancer and chronic diseases.
Biosimilars
A biosimilar is a biological medicine which has a sufficient similarity to another already approved biological medicine (the ‘reference medicine’ or ‘originator product’). The active substance is essentially the same biologic substance although there may be slight differences originating from the differences in the production. The differences between a biosimilar and its reference medicine has no impact on safety and efficacy. They are approved by health authorities according to the same standards that apply to all biological medicines. Biosimilars provide their therapeutic effects at lower prices, contributing to savings in healthcare.