	Introduction

Congressional interest in the availability of lower-cost versions of biologic drugs (biologics) led to the 2010 enactment of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA), which was incorporated as Title VII of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The BPCIA included three significant components. First, the BPCIA established an expedited licensure pathway for competing versions of previously marketed biologics. The BPCIA also created FDA-administered periods of data protection and marketing exclusivity for certain brand-name drugs and follow-on products. Finally, the BPCIA created a patent dispute resolution procedure for use by brand-name and follow-on biologic manufacturers. The term "biologics" refers to a category of medical treatments derived from living organisms. In particular, these medicines have added notable therapeutic options for many diseases and impacted fields such as oncology and rheumatology. Some biologics are particularly costly. But commentators have often observed that, in contrast to the generic drugs available in traditional pharmaceutical markets, few "follow-on" biologics compete with the original, brand-name product. The lack of competition in the biologics markets is perceived to be a consequence of the distinct technical and legal aspects from the regulation of traditional, chemically based pharmaceuticals. The 111 th Congress accounted for these distinctions when it enacted the BPCIA. Traditional pharmaceuticals fall under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The 2010 legislation establishes a regulatory regime for two sorts of follow-on biologics, termed "biosimilar" and "interchangeable" biologics respectively. The FDA is afforded a prominent role in determining the particular standards for biosimilarity and interchangeability for individual products. First Interchangeable Products

The BPCIA also provides for a term of regulatory exclusivity for the applicant that is the first to establish that its product is interchangeable with the brand-name product for any condition of use. The Potential Market for Follow-On Biologics

A core issue concerning the BPCIA is its ability to preserve innovation while also stimulating competition in the biologics market. The unique nature of biologics and their manufacture may militate against the type of savings generated by small-molecule generics. According to some experts:
The economics of the small-molecule generics market likely will not be transferrable to the follow-on biologics market. Resolution of the scientific and legal issues that this legislation raises will likely engage the courts and the FDA for many years to come. It may also take some time for members of the biologics industry to develop a working familiarity and appropriate strategies within the BPCIA framework. As a result, marketplace availability of significant numbers of follow-on biologics may well be a long-term proposition.
The term "biologics" refers to a category of medical preparations derived from a living organism. These medicines have added notable therapeutic options for many diseases and impacted fields such as oncology and rheumatology. The biologics industry invests extensively in R&D and contributes to a rapidly expanding market for these treatments. Biologics are often costly, however, in part due to the sophistication of the technologies and the manufacturing techniques needed to make them.
Some commentators have also observed that, in contrast to the generic drugs available in traditional pharmaceutical markets, few "follow-on" biologics compete with the original, brand-name product. The lack of competition in the biologics markets is perceived to be a consequence of the complexity of biologics in comparison with small-molecule, chemical-based pharmaceuticals. As a result, previously existing accelerated marketing provisions for traditional generic drugs provided under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act do not comfortably apply to biologics.
Congress turned to these concerns when it enacted the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) of 2009. The BPCIA was incorporated into Title VII of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The BPCIA included three significant components. First, the BPCIA established a licensure pathway for competing versions of previously marketed biologics. In particular, the legislation established a regulatory regime for two sorts of follow-on biologics, termed "biosimilar" and "interchangeable" biologics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was afforded a prominent role in determining the particular standards for biosimilarity and interchangeability for individual products.
Second, the BPCIA created FDA-administered periods of regulatory exclusivity for certain brand-name drugs and follow-on products. The BPCIA also provides for a term of regulatory exclusivity for the applicant that is the first to establish that its product is interchangeable with the brand-name product. Finally, the BPCIA created a patent dispute resolution procedure for use by brand-name and follow-on biologic manufacturers.
A core issue concerning the BPCIA is its ability to preserve innovation while also stimulating competition in the biologics market. Some observers believe that due to the unique nature of biologics and their manufacture, the follow-on biologics market may not yield the same level of savings seen with small-molecule generic drugs. In contrast with traditional generic drugs, more clinical trials may be required, manufacturing methods may be more difficult to replicate in distinct facilities, and follow-on firms may be exposed to higher marketing costs. Whether industry will make extensive use of the BPCIA's follow-on approval pathway also is not yet certain.
Resolution of the scientific and legal issues that the BPCIA raises will likely engage the courts and the FDA for many years to come. It may also take some time for members of the biologics industry to develop a working familiarity and appropriate strategies within the BPCIA framework. As a result, marketplace availability of significant numbers of follow-on biologics may not be a short-term proposition.