Angus Liu | Fiercepharma
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.
We considered two EvaluatePharma projections in January and February to
rank this year’s top 10 drug launches by 2024 sales. At the top of the list is
Alexion’s Soliris follow-up, Ultomiris, which nabbed an FDA nod at the end of
2018, two months ahead of its scheduled decision date.
As part of CEO Ludwig Hantson’s plan for Alexion to pivot away from
ultrarare diseases and reach more patients, the biotech has priced Ultomiris at
a 10% discount to Soliris and is aiming to convert 70% of Soliris patients to
the improved therapy. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), the current
condition Ultomiris is approved in, is a rare disease that involves the immune
system.