They say the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Perhaps one of the greatest uncertainties is the drug pipeline-though there are many drugs in the pipeline at any one time, drugs that actually make it all the way through to market are rare.To help make sense of what to look forward to in the pipeline-what’s exciting, what’s not, what might actually be coming out, OptumRx analyzed the Q3 pipeline in their OptumRx Drug Pipeline Insights Report. They identified five drugs they expect the FDA to review and approve in coming months that could make the biggest impact on the market, looking at clinical quality, effectiveness, and cost.
Luspatercept (Acceleron)
Luspatercept is being investigated to treat adult patients for anemia associated with very low to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and beta-thalassemia. According to OptumRx, traditional treatments have involved blood transfusions, so this could have a huge impact on patients with the two anemias.
FDA target action date: December 4, 2019 (beta-thalassemia indication), April 4, 2020 (MDS indication).
Cabotegravir/rilpivirine combination (ViiV)
If approved, this would be the first long long-acting, injectable treatment for adults with HIV.
FDA target action date: December 29, 2019
Brolucizumab (Novartis)
Brolucizumab is intended to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, also known as nAMD-a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., affecting 1.75 million people by 2020.
FDA target action date: October 2019, expected launch in November.
Oral semaglutide (Novo Nordisk)
Intended to treat type 2 diabetes, this would be the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. According to OptumRx, it could have significant market impact.
FDA target action date: September 2019
Ubrogepant (Allergan)
This is an oral migraine treatment that works through the alcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mechanism of action. Unlike injectable CGRP inhibitors, the oral version is meant to treat acute migraine symptoms.
Expected market launch date: End of 2019
