The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of major changes in pharmaceutical industry due to development of new drugs based on biotechnology. Biotechnological approaches are the main hope for development of this industrial branch in coming decades. New drugs range from diagnostic tools to preventive drugs and new therapeutics. The new age of biotechnology drugs based on results of genomic and proteomic research promises an entirely new approach to prevention and cure of diseases. Unclear is the future of generic biotechnology drugs, which is an important factor for the local pharmaceutical industry. The situation of biopharmaceutics in the Czech Republic is also discussed. An overview of major drugs marketed until 2003 is given.