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 Kathlyn Stone Kathlyn Stone is a freelance health and science writer, specializing in neurology and medical research news. Learn about our editorial process Fact checked by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy on June 23, 2020 LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD on October 11, 2021 LinkedIn Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues and general endocrinology. She currently has a private practice in Lafayette, CA. Learn about our Medical Review Board on October 11, 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. Biosimilars Vs. Biologics for the Treatment of Psoriatic Disease 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-Hodgkin's 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 arthritisPlaque psoriasisPsoriatic arthritisPolyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritisAnkylosing 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 HER2+ metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma 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 Metastatic colorectal cancer Metastatic renal cell carcinoma Epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer Glioblastoma Non-squamous non−small cell lung 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 arthritisCrohn's diseaseAnkylosing spondylitisPsoriatic arthritisPlaque psoriasisUlcerative 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 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Food and Drug Administration. Humira (adalimumab injection) label. Updated March 2020. Food and Drug Administration. Rituxan (rituximab injection) label. Updated June 2018. Food and Drug Administration. Enbrel (etanercept) label. Updated December 2012. Food and Drug Administration. Herceptin (trastuzumab) label. Updated October 2010. Food and Drug Administration. Avastin (bevacizumab injection) label. Updated May 2020. Food and Drug Administration. Remicade (infliximab) label. Updated November 2013. Food and Drug Administration. Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) label. Updated June 2009. Food and Drug Administration. Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) label. Updated November 2015. Food and Drug Administration. Avonex (interferon beta-1a injection) label. Updated December 2015. Food and Drug Administration. Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) label. Updated October 2014.