Biopharmaceuticals

A biopharmaceutical is a pharmaceutical derived from an animal source as opposed to being chemically synthesized or derived from a plant source. A large number of pharmaceuticals fall into this classification including vaccines, blood for transfusion, gene therapy and tissue grafts. They can be derived from animals, microorganisms or even other humans. Some can be produced on an industrial scale in quantities typical of synthesized drugs, but others have to be derived from limited sources, making them very expensive. 
Biopharmaceuticals tend to be far more chemically complex than chemical or plant derived pharmaceuticals, often consisting of a combination of proteins, fats and sugars. 
Biopharmaceutical at WikipediaCategory:Pharmaceuticals