Difference between small chemical products and biologics

One of the main differences between the individual medicinal products that we use to treat diseases and conditions lies in the size of their molecules. The group commonly known as small molecule products are produced through chemical synthesis, while the second group known as large molecule products (biologics) are produced through biological processes. 

Molecules, as contained in the commonly used paracetamol and aspirin products, are considered small molecule entities and are stable compounds that are relatively easy to produce. In contrast, large molecule biologics (often used for chronic autoimmune conditions and in oncology) differ from chemically derived drugs in the following ways:

• Manufactured in living cell culture