90% of current drugs are small molecules, but large molecules are quickly rising in popularity and importance.
In the world of pharmacology and drug development, there are two ways to classify the molecules used, as small and large molecules. This differentiation refers to more than size, it also helps classify how the molecules are made, their behavior, mode of action or transportation, and how suitable they are for different drug forms. More than 90% of current on-the-market drugs are small molecules, but large molecules, also known as biologics, are quickly rising in popularity and importance.
Small molecules have long been the basis for drug development. Their small size makes them easily ingestible in the gastrointestinal tract where active substances are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream and can travel anywhere in the body. The small size of these molecules allows them to easily penetrate cell membranes as they travel throughout the body.
Large molecules, or biologics, are classified as proteins having a therapeutic effect. In contrast to small molecule drugs, most large molecule drugs are complex and composed of more than 1,300 amino acids and are identical versions of human proteins. Large molecules work by transporting drugs to specific location within the body before releasing them before their destination. These types of drugs are developed through complex processes, often more than 1,000 steps are necessary, and are given through injection or infusion as they would be ineffective if taken orally. Large molecule products include vaccines, blood, blood components, gene therapy, tissue, and other proteins.
In recent years, biologics research has been at the forefront of drug development, offering treatment options for many medical conditions with no other options.
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