Ten New Blockbuster Drugs Surpass $1 Billion in Global Sales for the First Time in 2024

As MNCs release their financial reports, new drugs entering the blockbuster ranks for the first time in 2024 are gradually emerging. According to incomplete statistics, global sales of 10 new drugs surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2024, with Amgen accounting for three of them. In terms of indications, four are used for cancer, and two for migraine treatment, both of which are oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. Regarding drug types, monoclonal antibodies and chemical drugs each account for four, radiopharmaceuticals one, and enzyme-based therapies one. In terms of annual growth rate, Beyfortus showed rapid growth, with its sales doubling compared to 2023.

Specifically, Beyfortus, developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, is a long-acting antibody drug used for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). In November 2022, it was approved by the EU for the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV in newborns and infants, and in July 2023, it received FDA approval. Beyfortus is the first broadly applicable preventive measure for RSV in newborns and infants, showing strong market performance with sales exceeding $1 billion in 2024.

Novartis' Pluvicto is a radioligand therapy (RLT) acquired through the purchase of Endocyte, but Pluvicto was not self-developed by Endocyte; it was acquired from the German company ABX. In March 2022, Pluvicto was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive (PSMA-positive) metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Pluvicto is the first drug in the global nuclear medicine field to achieve sales exceeding $1 billion, and its sales are expected to reach new heights. According to data from iSpot.TV (a tracking and analytics platform focused on TV advertising), Pluvicto's advertising expenditure exceeded $47 million in January 2025, surpassing AbbVie's Skyrizi to rank first. Moreover, according to Novartis’ pipeline disclosures, Pluvicto currently has four indications under research, among which the study targeting metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) is in Phase 3 clinical trials and is expected to be completed by 2025.

Cabenuva, jointly developed by GSK and Johnson & Johnson, is a combination of the integrase inhibitor cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension. This drug is the world's first long-acting HIV injectable approved globally. In January 2021, its once-monthly intramuscular injection regimen received FDA approval, and in February 2022, its every-two-months intramuscular injection regimen was also approved by the FDA. Cabenuva has performed well in the market since its launch, with sales reaching £340 million in 2022 and £708 million in 2023, showing year-over-year growth of over 100%.

Roche's Polivy is the world's first approved CD79b-targeted ADC. In June 2019, it was approved by the FDA in combination with bendamustine and rituximab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients who have received at least two prior lines of therapy. In April 2023, it was approved by the FDA for use in combination with the R-CHP regimen (rituximab + cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + prednisone) as a first-line treatment for DLBCL.

Pfizer's Nurtec ODT/Vydura (Rimegepant) and AbbVie's Ubrevly (Ubrogepant) are both oral CGRP receptor antagonists. Ubrevly was acquired by AbbVie through its purchase of Allergan and was approved by the FDA in December 2019 for the acute treatment of migraine in adults, becoming the first orally administered CGRP receptor antagonist approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine attacks. Nurtec ODT was obtained by Pfizer through the acquisition of Biohaven Pharma and received FDA approval in February 2020 for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. In May 2021, it was further approved by the FDA for the preventive treatment of migraine, making it the first migraine drug approved for both acute and preventive treatment of migraine. Notably, Nurtec ODT can disintegrate immediately in the mouth without water, making it convenient to take anytime, anywhere.

Amgen's Blincyto is a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) developed by the company, with one end binding to the CD19 antigen expressed on the surface of B cells and the other end binding to the CD3 receptor on the surface of T cells. In December 2014, the drug was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was subsequently approved by the FDA for the treatment of pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) CD19-positive precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (May 2022), as well as for consolidation therapy in patients aged one month or older with CD19-positive, Philadelphia chromosome-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) (June 2024).

Amgen's Krystexxa is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for chronic refractory gout. It is a pegylated uric acid-specific enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid to allantoin to reduce serum uric acid levels. The drug has received FDA approval for two indications: chronic gout in adults who are either unresponsive to or intolerant of conventional therapy; and uncontrolled gout in combination with methotrexate. Krystexxa was licensed by Horizon from Duke University and Mountain View Pharmaceuticals, and Amgen acquired it through the acquisition of Horizon in 2023.

Johnson & Johnson's Spravato (esketamine nasal spray) is a non-selective, non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that works by targeting glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. It was approved by the FDA in 2019 for use in combination with oral antidepressants to treat treatment-resistant depression. In January 2025, the drug was again approved by the FDA as a monotherapy for adult major depressive disorder (MDD) that has shown inadequate response to at least two oral antidepressants.

Amgen's Vectibix (panitumumab) is a humanized EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody. It was first approved by the FDA in September 2006 for use in combination with the FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen to treat wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer, and has since received multiple FDA approvals for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Summary

Products in the pharmaceutical field with annual sales breaking 1 billion USD are called "blockbusters." According to incomplete statistics, in 2024, 10 new drugs from MNCs entered the blockbuster ranks. Among these drugs, six were approved after 2019. Notably, Beyfortus from Sanofi/AstraZeneca performed the best, gaining global approval for the first time in November 2022 and entering the blockbuster ranks in 2024. Novartis' radiopharmaceutical Pluvicto also showed outstanding performance as the first radiopharmaceutical to enter the blockbuster ranks, further strengthening companies' confidence in developing nuclear medicines.

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