Competitive Analysis Top Drug Launches Overview
Cancer is probably the most sought-after indication in the biopharma world, but it’s missing from 2019's class of top drug launches. Instead, treatments in immunology and rare genetic diseases have grabbed the limelight. Immunological disorders are diseases or conditions caused by a dysfunction of the immune system and include allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, auto-inflammatory syndromes and immunological deficiency syndromes.
Competitive Analysis – Top 10 drug launches of 2019
1. Ultomiris
2. Upadacitinib
3. Skyrizi
4. Zynteglo
5. Roxadustat
6. AR101
7. Zolgensma
8. Brolucizumab
9. Spravato
10. Mayzent
Ultomiris is a drug produced by Alexion pharmaceuticals Inc and its generic name is ravulizumab-cwvz. It is used in the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. As of April 22, the company had converted 22% of U.S. patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) over to the newer drug, commercial chief Brian Goff said on Alexion’s first-quarter 2019 conference call. That figure marked a significant leap from the 14% executives had quoted a month prior and the 3% recorded in early February.
Upadacitinib is a drug produced by AbbVie Inc. and its generic name is upadacitinib . it is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Upadacitinib is a once-daily oral JAK1-selective inhibitor, and some red flags have popped up for the JAK class. JAK inhibitor side effects which can include infections and elevated cholesterol have until now been considered “more acceptable” in rheumatoid arthritis than those of its rival TNF-alpha drugs.
Skyrizi is drug launched by AbbVie Inc. and its generic name is risankizumab-rzaa. It is used in the treatment of psoriasis. After initial Skyrizi doses at the outset and four weeks later, patients on the AbbVie drug only require four doses per year.
Zynteglo is drug produced by Bluebird Bio. It is used in the treatment of beta thalassemia. Instead of directly elevating levels of hemoglobin to treat patients with beta thalassemia, Bluebird Bio’s Zynteglo is designed to deal with the underlying genetic cause of the inherited blood disorder. But as with any gene therapy that aims to cure a complex disease with a single infusion, pricing and access pose major challenges.
Roxadustat is a drug produced by FibroGen Inc., AstraZeneca pharma Plc, and Astellas Pharma Inc. It is used in the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease. China was the first country to approve roxadustat, a first-in-class oral treatment designed to treat patients with anemia caused by chronic kidney disease. Because of a manufacturing shift, the drug won’t launch until the second half of 2019.
AR101 is a drug launched by Aimmune Therapeutics and is used in the treatment of peanut allergy. Aimmune Therapeutics’ AR101 could be the first drug that reduces allergic children’s reactions to peanut exposure. The idea is that by exposing patients to the peanut allergen in a gradual dose-escalation manner, they can be desensitized and able to tolerate higher amounts. AR101 isn't a cure, as the company is quick to emphasize; it's meant to alleviate risks of accidental exposure.
Zolgensma is a drug produced by Novartis Corporation and its generic name is onasemnogene abeparvovec. It is used in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Novartis also pointed out that the annualized cost of Zolgensma, US$425,000 for 5 years, is 50% less than the 10-year current cost of chronic SMA therapy Spinraza.
Brolucizumab is a drug produced by Novartis Corporation and its generic name is Brolucizumab. It is used for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. In April, Novartis’ brolucizumab scored an FDA priority review, setting the drug up for a possible U.S. nod in October. Novartis laid out a priority review voucher to win the quick review, showing just how enthusiastic the company is about the prospective launch.
Spravato is a drug produced by Johnson and Johnson Inc. and its generic name is esketamine. It helps in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Delivered as a nasal spray, Spravato is approved alongside oral antidepressant treatment. It's limited to adults who have tried but failed at least two different antidepressants. Because of its safety risks—and the potential for abuse and misuse—the FDA required a restricted distribution system. Patients can only take it at certified treatment centers rather than at home.
Mayzent is drug launched by the Novartis Corporation and its generic name is siponimod. It is used in the treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Mayzent’s green light made it the first new therapy approved specifically for SPMS in more than 15 years, giving the drug a chance to rack up major sales in a sizable market. Up to 80% of patients with relapsing remitting MS go on to develop SPMS and they’ll be in line for the Novartis drug, which bears an US$88,500-per-year sticker.