Biologic drugs are produced from living cell cultures rather than synthesized chemically. Many of these "biologics" offer hope to people who have had no success with other drugs. Beyond the biologics already in use, hundreds are in clinical trials -- with many expected to make it to market in the next few years.

Biologic drugs, which tend to be very expensive, already account for almost one-fifth of all dollars spent on drugs in the United States, and the total is expected to rise to one dollar in four by 2008.

A big part of the cost lies in development and manufacture of these complex biotech drugs. And for most biologics, there are as of yet no generics.

Many biologics also have to be taken by injection or intravenous infusion in a doctor's office -- and in some cases, the manner in which physicians are reimbursed for the drugs they buy and administer provides them with an incentive to prescribe higher-cost biologics.

With biologics carving out an increasingly important role in medical care, Biologic Drug Report will be your independent source of news and information on the new biologics available -- and efforts to keep them affordable.