14 Breakthrough Drugs Poised for Blockbuster Status by 2027: Clarivate Analysis
Key Insights
Immunological and inflammatory disease treatments dominate the list of potential blockbuster drugs, with targeted biomarker approaches leading the innovation landscape.
Novel therapies include first-in-class treatments like bimekizumab for psoriasis (search), lecanemab for Alzheimer's (search), and teplizumab for type 1 diabetes (search), each offering significant advances in their respective fields.
Several candidates, including Gilead's lenacapavir for HIV (search) and BioMarin's Roctavian for hemophilia A (search), represent transformative approaches with potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms through innovative delivery methods.
A new analysis by Clarivate has identified 14 promising drug candidates projected to achieve blockbuster status - generating over $1 billion in annual sales by 2027 - or become clinical game-changers in their therapeutic areas.
The roster reflects the pharmaceutical industry's strategic shift toward biomarker-targeted treatments, an approach designed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and streamline the path to optimal patient outcomes.
Innovative Immunological Treatments Lead the Way
Several groundbreaking immunological treatments feature prominently in the forecast. UCB (search)'s bimekizumab, a first-in-class dual IL-17 (search) A/F inhibitor, has secured EU approval as Bimzelx for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (search). The therapy stands out for its superior skin clearance rates and convenient dosing schedule, despite entering a competitive market.
Bristol-Myers Squibb's deucravacitinib (Sotyktu), another first-in-class treatment targeting TYK2 (search), addresses an important therapeutic gap in moderate to severe psoriasis (search) management. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly's mirikizumab is positioned to become the first IL-23 (search) p19 subunit inhibitor approved for ulcerative colitis.
Breakthrough Therapies in Neurology and Rare Diseases
In the neurology space, Eisai and Biogen's lecanemab (Leqembi) represents a significant advance in Alzheimer's (search) treatment. The anti-amyloid antibody has received FDA approval, marking a potential turning point in addressing this devastating condition.
For rare diseases, Apellis Pharma's pegcetacoplan (Empaveli/Aspaveli) is breaking new ground. While already approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, its anticipated approval for geographic atrophy could provide the first approved treatment for this form of age-related macular degeneration.
Revolutionary Treatment Approaches
Several candidates introduce innovative treatment paradigms. Gilead Sciences' lenacapavir (Sunlenca) could transform HIV (search) treatment with its groundbreaking twice-yearly dosing schedule. The therapy is approved in Europe and under FDA review for treatment-experienced patients.
BioMarin's valoctocogene roxaparvovec (Roctavian), approved in the EU for hemophilia A (search), stands to become the first gene therapy for this condition in the US. This one-time treatment promises long-lasting effects and reduced dependence on Factor VIII replacement therapy.
Oncology and Metabolic Disease Innovations
In oncology, AstraZeneca's capivasertib shows promise for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, while J&J's Tecvayli (teclistamab) pioneers as the first BCMA (search)-targeted bispecific antibody for multiple myeloma.
A notable breakthrough in metabolic disease comes from Provention Bio's teplizumab (Tzield), which made history as the first immunotherapy approved for type 1 diabetes (search), potentially delaying the need for insulin treatment by preserving pancreatic beta cell function.
Advanced Delivery Systems
The analysis also highlights innovations in drug delivery systems. AbbVie's foscarbidopa/foslevodopa (ABBV-951) introduces a subcutaneous pump delivery system for advanced Parkinson's disease (search), offering improved efficacy and dosing flexibility compared to oral alternatives.