Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Drugs to Watch 2024: Here are 13 potential blockbuster therapies expected to launch this year

Drugs to Watch 2024: Here are 13 potential blockbuster therapies expected to launch this year

In addition, Clarivate report highlights some new technology platforms that are likely to achieve significant proof of medical use in the market in 2024 

Information services provider Clarivate Plc on Monday released its annual Drugs to Watch report, which has identified over 85 drugs with the potential for standout commercial and/or clinical success over the 11-year course of its publication.


Analysts at Clarivate have predicted that 13 new-to-market therapeutics and drugs that are set to launch in 2024 will achieve blockbuster status by 2029 or deliver game-changing benefits to patients.

These will include new treatments for conditions like breast cancer, hemophilia A, sickle cell disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and multiple myeloma, among others, the report stated.

Additionally, the analysts highlighted the growing chronic disease market in Mainland China, with seven drugs expected to achieve $1 billion blockbuster status by 2029, providing better treatment options for Chinese patients.

Mike Ward, Global Head of Thought Leadership, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Clarivate commented: “The fundamentals underpinning the biopharma sector have never been stronger, with new technologies fueling medical advancements and providing treatment options to patients with previously unmet needs.

"Leveraging deep industry expertise and comprehensive therapeutic area differentiated data, this year’s Drugs to Watch report identifies innovative medicines based on recent scientific breakthroughs poised to have extraordinary impacts on patient outcomes.”

The Drugs to Watch this year include:

High-dose aflibercept (EYLEA HD) for individuals with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) or diabetic retinopathy (DR). Developed by Bayer and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, the drug offers less-frequent administration but similar efficacy and safety as the current standard of care.

Budesonide (TARPEYO/Kinpeygo/Nefecon), a second-generation, synthetic, non-halogenated form of the corticosteroid budesonide, developed by Calliditas Therapeutics AB, Everest Medicines and STADA Arzneimittel AG. It has found to be more efficient in protein reduction and slowing the decline in kidney function in primary immunoglobulin A (IgA) compared to conventional corticosteroids.

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), which is anticipated to become the best-in-class TROP2-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) for treatment of both HR-positive/HER2-negative and triple-negative breast cancer, as well as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

Efanesoctocog alfa (ALTUVIIIO), developed by Sanofi (Bioverativ Therapeutics Inc) and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi), is the first once-weekly factor VIII (FVIII) replacement intravenous infusion therapy.

Ensifentrine is a promising treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Developed by Verona Pharma, the inhaler is expected to reduce exacerbations in moderate to severe COPD without the systemic side effects of current PDE inhibitors that are delivered orally.

Exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel) and lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel) are set become the first disease-modifying therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia. Exa-cel is jointly developed by CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, while Bluebird Bio is the developer of lovo-cel.

Mirikizumab (Omvoh/ LY-3074828), is another drug to watch for in 2024, and it may be the third in the class approved for Crohn’s disease. The drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company has already been approved as first-in-class therapy for ulcerative colitis by the EMA and the U.S. FDA.

Niraparib + abiraterone acetate (AKEEGA) is likely to help to be breakthrough treatment for patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA-mutated, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Developed by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, this is also the first and only dual tablet combining a PARP inhibitor (niraparib) and a next-generation hormonal therapy (abiraterone acetate).

RSV vaccines (RSVpreF and RSVpreF3), developed by Pfizer Inc (ABRYSVO) and GSK plc (AREXVY), are designed to protect infants and older adults (65 years and older), who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory syncytial virus infections, which can result in hospitalizations in severe cases. Hence,  the approval of these vaccines is considered to be a significant public health milestone.

Talquetamab (TALVEY) to treat multiple myeloma has been given conditional and accelerated approval by the European Commission and FDA, respectively. Developed by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, the drug is likely to be an important addition to the treatment armamentarium for this incurable, often-relapsing disease.

Zolbetuximab (IMAB362) for treatment of metastatic HER2-negative gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. It has been developed by Astellas Pharma Inc.

Along with these drugs, some new technology platforms are projected to achieve significant proof of medical use in the market in 2024. These include CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) tool applications in drug discovery, which can help drugmakers cut costs, shorten innovation cycles, and speed up delivery of more innovative drugs to patients.

Read the full Drugs to Watch 2024 report from Clarivate, here.

More For You

NICE approves AstraZeneca’s twice-a-day tablet ‘capivasertib’ for advanced breast cancer

HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer is currently incurable, and treatment aims to slow progression and prolong life

Gettyimages

NICE approves twice-a-day tablet for advanced breast cancer

Every year, thousands of people with hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-negative breast cancer could benefit from a new twice-a-day tablet, now set to be funded immediately through the Cancer Drugs Fund.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of capivasertib (also known as Truqap), in combination with fulvestrant, as an option for around 1,100 adults with HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer that has certain genetic mutations and has spread.

Keep ReadingShow less
ABPI and government fast-track VPAG scheme review to address high medicine payment rates

The 2025 VPAG payment rate for newer medicines has been set at 22.9 per cent.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Review of 2024 VPAG scheme to be completed by June

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the government have agreed to bring forward a planned review of the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG), originally scheduled for autumn 2025.

The review is expected to be completed in June 2025, aligning with the anticipated release of the government’s 10-year NHS Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan as part of the broader industry strategy this summer.

Keep ReadingShow less
AAH upgrades ordering portal, making procurement easier for pharmacies

AAH Cascade compares prices and availability across suppliers

AAH Warehouse

AAH upgrades ordering portal to improve product visibility

Leading pharmaceutical wholesaler AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd has introduced new digital functionalities to AAH Cascade, its independently managed ordering portal, making procurement easier and more cost-effective for pharmacies.

AAH Cascade compares product prices and availability across multiple suppliers, eliminating the need for manual searches.

Keep ReadingShow less
Majority of Brits neglect consistent skincare routine,  survey finds

On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Skincare: One in five Brits go to bed without washing their face daily, survey finds

Nearly two-thirds of Brits (60 per cent) neglect a consistent skincare routine,with almost one in five going to bed without washing their face daily, according to a new survey by consumer health company Kenvue.

The UK-wide survey of 2,000 people revealed that one-third of respondents (34 per cent) spend five minutes or less on their daily skincare routine. On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Risk of pharmacy closures remains despite record funding uplift

Community pharmacy sector remains in a fragile position as the funding gap is still significant, says CCA.

gettyimages

Pharmacy closures still a risk as funding deal fails to cover costs – warns CCA

The community pharmacy sector has secured the largest funding uplift across the NHS, yet concerns remain that it may not be enough to prevent further closures and service reductions.

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has approved a £3.073 billion funding package for 2025/26, supplemented by an additional £215 million to support Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less