Category: Biotechnology

According to a recent industry analysis, the market for in silico technologies was valued at approximately $8.3 billion in 2022, demonstrating its significant impact on pharmaceutical research. This article explores what is the meaning of in silico drug discovery, explaining how it uses computational techniques to accelerate and refine the development of new medicines.

With a single drug discovery program costing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars and taking over a decade to complete, modern pharmacology has moved beyond trial-and-error. This shift has redefined **what is the primary goal of drug design**, which now focuses on the rational, data-driven creation of molecules that are highly effective, selective, and safe.

Made from living organisms, biologics are thousands of times larger and more complex than traditional small-molecule drugs like aspirin. This fundamental difference in origin and structure is key to understanding how are biologics different from other drugs and why they represent a paradigm shift in modern medicine.

With a market valued at over $500 billion in 2023, biologics are revolutionizing modern medicine. Their distinctiveness lies in what makes biologics unique: their origin from living systems, large and complex molecular structure, and highly specific mechanism of action, differentiating them fundamentally from traditional chemical drugs.

As of late 2024 and into 2025, the one-time gene therapy Lenmeldy (atidarsagene autotemcel) for metachromatic leukodystrophy holds the title of the most expensive infusion drug, with a staggering list price of $4.25 million. This represents a new peak in the rapidly evolving landscape of ultra-high-cost pharmaceuticals, dominated by groundbreaking gene therapies for rare genetic diseases.

According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is estimated to drive 30% of new drug discoveries, highlighting its pivotal role in reshaping the pharmaceutical landscape. In response to technological innovation and evolving patient needs, understanding what are the trends in pharma industry 2025 is essential for navigating this transformative era.

In July 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the once-daily HIV medication **Emtriva**. The biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. holds the trademark and is responsible for the manufacturing and marketing of this essential antiretroviral drug.

Scorpion venom is one of the most expensive liquids in the world, with some estimates valuing it at $39 million per gallon [1.3.2, 1.9.4]. The answer to 'What is the drug called scorpion?' is complex; it refers not to a single substance but to a range of compounds, from an FDA-approved antivenom to revolutionary cancer-fighting agents [1.2.3, 1.4.1].

Priced at $4.25 million for a single infusion, Kyowa Kirin's Lenmeldy is currently the most expensive drug substance in the world. This one-time gene therapy is a groundbreaking treatment for the ultra-rare genetic disorder metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), highlighting the high costs associated with advanced therapeutic innovation.

Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, the company established its purpose as a pharmaceutical manufacturing business from its very inception. So, to definitively answer the question, **does Eli Lilly manufacture drugs?** Yes, it does, and has for nearly 150 years, developing an extensive, high-tech global manufacturing operation. This has allowed it to produce a massive portfolio of medicines, from insulin to modern therapies for obesity and oncology.