As the inventor of hypertension medication, BioNTech SE Inc. was able to reap the benefits of economies of scale due to a large consumer demand for the drug. Even when competitors later developed similar drugs after the expiry of BioNTech SEs patents, regular users did not want to switch because they were concerned about possible side effects. Which of the following benefits does this scenario best illustrate?

first-mover advantages

social benefits

fringe benefits

network externalities