In an effort to spur greater public understanding of biologics, and the benefits they provide as well as the challenges they pose for the American healthcare system, we have created this analysis and commentary section to give people both inside and outside the biotechnology industry an opportunity to air (or even debate) important issues.

Many of these issues affecting the biopharmaceutical industry -- not to mention affecting physicians, patients, employers and managed care -- ultimately involve costs. With development and use of biologics growing exponentially, the total amount spent on these drugs is increasingly straining the U.S. healthcare system.

Two approaches to holding down costs that seem certain to get new attention in 2007 are generic biologics, and changes in the current healthcare payment system.

We invite academics, people in industry and government, and others with an interest in biologics and/or healthcare costs who would like to share their views on these and other issues to submit original articles or published work for which they hold the copyright. Comments on articles are also welcome.

Articles accepted for publication in the analysis and commentary section will be available from links below. Submit articles or inquiries to info@biologicdrugreport.com.

All submissions posted here solely reflect the opinions of their authors, and should not be construed to in any way reflect the views of Medical Week News, Inc., publisher of the Biologic Drug Report. We also reserve the right to decline to post any submission at our sole discretion.