Patient Rights Treatment Decisions & Safety Top 10 Biologic Drugs in the United States These Drugs Are Changing the Way Illnesses Are Treated By Kathlyn Stone twitter linkedin Kathlyn Stone is a former writer for The Balance SMB who covered pharma. She is an experienced journalist who specializes in health, science, and public policy. Learn about our editorial process Kathlyn Stone Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD on April 25, 2021 twitter linkedin Mary Choy, PharmD, is board-certified in geriatric pharmacotherapy and is an active leader in professional pharmacy associations. Learn about our Medical Review Board Mary Choy, PharmD Updated on May 18, 2021 Print Biologics are drugs made from complex molecules manufactured using living microorganisms, plants, or animal cells. Many are produced using recombinant DNA technology. They're sometimes referred to as biopharmaceuticals or biological drugs. Biologics are changing the ways doctors treat common conditions that have plagued people for years. They've revolutionized the treatment of many serious and chronic illnesses and have nudged traditional small-molecule drugs out of the top sales slots. Rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers, and diabetes have the greatest numbers of dedicated biologic treatments. Generic Biologics While most drugs are chemicals synthesized from other chemicals, biologics are much more expensive due to their complex manufacturing process. Because of their high cost, there is a great demand for generic versions of biologic medications. Several pharmaceutical companies are lobbying for the right to manufacture generic versions. However, because they are so difficult to manufacture, there are concerns about the ability to manufacture generics both safely and reliably. They're not exactly generics, but in recent years, numerous biosimilars have come on the market, usually at a much lower cost than the original biologic they're based on. What You Should Know About Biosimilars Top 10 Biologics The top 10 biologic drugs all have exceeded the monetary definition of a "blockbuster," meaning they've generated more than $1 billion in annual sales, according to 2017 sales data reported by drug manufacturers. 1 Humira Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Blend Images / Getty Images The anti-inflammatory drug Humira (adalimumab) is not only the best-selling biologic, it's one of the best-selling drugs worldwide, regardless of class. Humira is approved for: Rheumatoid arthritis Plaque psoriasis Crohn's disease Ulcerative colitis Ankylosing spondylitis Psoriatic arthritis Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Hidradenitis Suppurativa Uveitis Manufacturer: AbbVie, an Abbott Laboratories spinoff Global Sales in 2017: $18.4 billion Generic name: Adalimumab Launch date: 2002 2 Rituxan BURGER/PHANIE / Canopy / Getty Images Rituxan (rituximab) was developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals. It's currently co-marketed in the United States by Biogen Idec and Roche subsidiary Genentech. Rituxan is approved for: Non-Hodgkins lymphoma Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Rheumatoid arthritis Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Pemphigus Vulgaris Manufacturer: Roche Global Sales in 2017: $9.2 billion Generic name: Rituximab Launch date: 1997 3 Enbrel DAM GAULT / SPL / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Enbrel (etanercept) was developed by researchers at Immunex. Today the drug is co-marketed in North America by Amgen and Pfizer, by Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Japan, and by Wyeth in the rest of the world. Enbrel is approved for: Rheumatoid arthritis Plaque psoriasis Psoriatic arthritis Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Ankylosing Spondylitis Manufacturer: Pfizer/Amgen Global Sales in 2017: $7.9 billion Generic name: Etanercept Launch date: 1998 4 Herceptin Echo / Cultura / Getty Images Herceptin (trastuzumab) was developed by Genentech, now a Roche subsidiary, and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Herceptin is approved for: HER2+ breast cancer Manufacturer: Roche Global Sales in 2017: $7.4 billion Generic name: Trastuzumab Launch date: 1998 5 Avastin Echo / Cultura / Getty Images When launched in 2004, Genentech's Avastin (bevacizumab) was one of the most expensive drugs on the market, with a $4,400 monthly price tag. Avastin is approved for: Cervical cancer Hepatocellular cancer Manufacturer: Roche Global Sales in 2017: $7.1 billion Generic name: Bevacizumab Launch date: 2004 6 Remicade BURGER / PHANIE / Canopy / Getty Images Remicade (infliximab) was originally developed by Centocor Ortho Biotech, which is now Janssen Biotech, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary. Remicade is approved for: Rheumatoid arthritis Crohn's disease Ankylosing spondylitis Psoriatic arthritis Plaque psoriasis Ulcerative colitis Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson/Merck & Co. Global Sales in 2017: $7.1 billion Generic name: Infliximab Launch date: 1998 7 Lantus Tom Merton / Caiaimage / Getty Images Lantus (insulin glargine injection) was developed at Sanofi-Aventis's biotechnology research center in Frankfurt-Höchst, Germany. Lantus is approved for: Diabetes Manufacturer: Sanofi Global Sales in 2017: $5.7 billion Generic name: Insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection Launch date: 2000 8 Neulasta Mark Harmel / The Image Bank / Getty Images Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is manufactured by Amgen Pharmaceuticals. Neulasta is approved for: Neutropenia related to cancer chemotherapy Hematopoietic subsyndrome of acute radiation syndrome Manufacturer: Amgen Global Sales in 2017: $4.7 billion Generic name: Pegfilgrastim Launch date: 2002 9 Avonex Peter Dazeley / Photographer's Choice / Getty Images In the U.S., Avonex (interferon beta-1α) is marketed in by Biogen Idec and by Merck under the brand name Rebif. Gemany's Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and CinnaGen Company cloned Interferon-beta-1α and since 2006 the drug has been sold as CinnoVex, a biosimilar, in Iran. Avonex/Rebif is approved for: Multiple sclerosis (MS) Manufacturer: Biogen Idec Global Sales in 2017: $2.1 billion Generic name: Interferon-beta-1α Launch date: 1996 10 Lucentis Portra Images / DigitalVision / Getty Images Developed by Genentech, the injectable drug Lucentis (ranibizumab) is marketed in the U.S. by Genentech and outside the U.S. by Novartis. Lucentis is approved for: Age-related macular degeneration Macular edema following retinal vein occlusion Diabetic macular edema Diabetic retinopathy Myopic choroidal neovascularization Manufacturer: Roche, Novartis Global Sales in 2017: $1.5 billion Generic name: Ranibizumab Launch date: 2006 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit