Biologics – an introduction to biological drugs

The course is based on research developed within the RealHope project, funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2, and supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. It will equip you with the knowledge to understand the lifecycle of biologics—from lab to patient—emphasizing both scientific principles and practical applications.

You will explore:

• The fundamentals of biologics, including their molecular complexity and therapeutic potential.
• Formulation strategies that ensure safety, efficacy, and patient convenience, covering excipients, delivery devices, and packaging considerations.
• Stability challenges unique to protein pharmaceuticals, such as aggregation, chemical degradation, and sensitivity to temperature, light, and mechanical stress.
• Delivery methods, including injection routes and barriers to oral administration, with a focus on improving bioavailability and patient compliance.
• Real-world handling, transport, and in-use stability, ensuring biologics maintain their integrity from manufacturing to administration.

Target group

The course is designed for professionals and students in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. University educators can use the material in their teaching.

Practical

The course contains nine sections:

• What are biological drugs
• The delivery and safety of biologics
• Protein structure key for function and safety
• Stability issues for protein pharmaceuticals
• Specification for a biological product
• Formulation of biologics
• Risk related to handling of protein biological drugs in real life
• Transport of biologics
• In-use stability studies

Each section consists of two parts:

• Learning material: Here you can watch a video or read a PowerPoint presentation. They both contain the same information.
• Quiz: Here you can test your knowledge.

The course is in English.

Registration

The course is free of charge as it has been developed with financial support. You can register by clicking this link.