Top 10 Anticancer Drugs to Watch in 2024: Sales Leaders Shaping the Oncology Landscape
MSD
Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturer
Johnson & Johnson
Healthcare Product Manufacturers, Health Service Providers
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Biopharmaceutical and Nutritional Product R&D and Sales
Ono
Innovative Drug Developer
AstraZeneca
Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer
Pfizer
Pharmaceutical R&D Developer
Astellas
Pharmaceutical R&D Manufacturer
AbbVie
Innovative Drug Developer
Roche
Oncology Drug Research, Development, and Manufacturing
As tumors continue to dominate the pharmaceutical market, the global demand for effective cancer treatments has reached unprecedented levels. With advancements in precision medicine and immunotherapy driving innovation, leading oncology drugs have not only transformed treatment paradigms but also generated billions of dollars in revenue. 2024 is no exception, as some anti-cancer drugs have achieved remarkable sales milestones.
According to the global sales revenue list of anticancer drugs for the first three quarters of 2024,Total sales of anti-cancer drugs reached $64.151 billion, with seven varieties each exceeding $4 billion in annual sales. Among them, three surpassed $5 billion in sales.
MSD's K drug(Keytruda) achieved global sales of $21.646 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, representing an 18% year-over-year increase, securing the top spot."King of Cancer Drugs" Throne，DarzalexOutperforming Opdivo to Secure the Second Spot in Anticancer Drugs, Global Sales Reach $8.57 Billion in the First Three Quarters of 2024, with Significant Growth Potential Ahead.
Table 1. The Top 10 Anticancer Drugs to Watch in 2024
Note 1: Due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, there may be slight differences when sales are converted into a unified currency.
Note 2: The table data is manually compiled by the author. If there are any errors or omissions, please leave a comment at the end of the article to point them out.
Here, we willBased on the 2024 sales data and anticipated market dynamics, introduce to everyoneTop 10 Anticancer Drugs Worth Watching in 2024。
1、TOP 1：Keytruda （Pembrolizumab
202Q3Sales:$21.646 billion
Company：MSD
FDA First Approval Date：September 4, 2014
Indications:Melanoma, NSCLC, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, etc.
Reasons for Best-Selling:In 2023, after AbbVie's Humira (adalimumab) faced patent expiration and competition from biosimilars, Keytruda became the world's best-selling drug. As a leading oncology drug, Keytruda’s sales grew by 21% in 2023, reaching $25 billion. The drug also received nearly six new FDA approvals for cancer indications. MSD’s Keytruda achieved sales of $21.646 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, marking an 18% year-on-year increase. This growth was primarily driven by Keytruda’s rapid penetration in the early-stage cancer treatment field, where it has been approved for early treatment of nine types of cancers. Full-year sales are projected to exceed $29 billion. Additionally, Keytruda’s patent exclusivity will expire in 2028, but it is expected to maintain a strong market position in the coming years.
2. TOP 2: Darzalex (Daratumumab)
202Q3Sales:$8.57 billion
Company：Johnson & Johnson
FDA First Approval Date：November 16, 2015
Indications:Multiple Myeloma, AL Amyloidosis
Reasons for Best-Selling:Multiple Myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer and remains incurable. Current treatments aim to prolong patients' survival and improve their quality of life. By 2024, it is estimated that over 35,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States. Darzalex and Darzalex Faspro have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma by targeting the CD38 molecule, which is highly expressed on the surface of myeloma cells. This innovative mechanism not only directly kills cancer cells but also enhances the immune system's anti-tumor response. In Q1 2024, the global net sales of Darzalex and Darzalex Faspro reached $2.692 billion, with $1.464 billion from the U.S. and $1.228 billion from other markets. Driven by expanding global market share, Darzalex’s sales grew to $3.016 billion in Q3 2024, marking a year-over-year increase of 20.7%. It has now surpassed Stelara (ustekinumab) to become Johnson & Johnson’s cornerstone product.
3. TOP 3: Opdivo (Nivolumab)
202Q3 4th QuarterSales:$6.825 billion
Company：BMS/Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
FDA First Approval Date：December 22, 2014
Indications:Melanoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, etc.
Reasons for Best-Selling:In 2023, the global sales of Opdivo reached $10 billion, including $9.99 billion from BMS and $1.036 billion from Ono Pharmaceutical. As the second-largest revenue-generating product for BMS, the PD-1 inhibitor maintained its growth momentum in 2023. Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo sales in the third quarter of 2024 were $2.36 billion, representing a 4% year-over-year increase. In March 2024, Opdivo received FDA approval to be used alongside chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for bladder cancer, similar to the approval of Keytruda in combination with Padcev for the same indication. Although Opdivo’s patent exclusivity is set to expire in 2028, BMS is actively pursuing other opportunities.
4, TOP 4: Tagrisso (Osimertinib)
202Q3Sales:$4.877 billion
Company：AstraZeneca
FDA First Approval Date：November 13, 2015
Figure 4. Tagrisso Structure
Reasons for Best-Selling:Tagrisso is a third-generation irreversibleEGFR -Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI), recognized for their efficacy in treating non-small cell lung cancer. AstraZeneca continues to explore Tagrisso for the treatment of different stages of metastaticEGFRThe potential for patients with mutant NSCLC. More than 100 countries, including the United States, the European Union (EU), China, and Japan, have approved Tagrisso as a standalone therapy. According to AstraZeneca's Q3 2024 financial report, the revenue of the lung cancer targeted drug Tagrisso increased by 15% in the first three quarters of 2024, reaching 4.877 billion US dollars.
5, TOP 5: Revlimid (Lenalidomide)
202Q3Sales:$4.434 billion
Company：BMS
FDA First Approval Date：December 27, 2005
Reasons for Best-Selling:Revlimid has long been a first-line treatment for multiple myeloma and Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMS) top drug, being the sole therapeutic option for many years. Its patent protection allowed it to dominate the market for over a decade. However, with its patent expiration in 2022, the introduction of generic drugs led to a decline in BMS's sales last year. According to the Q3 2024 financial report released by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), in the hematology disease segment, Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Pomalyst/Imnovid (pomalidomide), two generations of lenalidomide products, remain the main revenue-generating products, collectively contributing $7.156 billion in revenue.
6. TOP 6: Xtandi (Enzalutamide)
202Q3Sales:$4.226 billion
Company：Pfizer/Astellas
FDA First Approval Date：August 31, 2012
Indications:Prostate Cancer
Reasons for Best-Selling:Xtandi was first approved by the FDA in 2012 for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and has since become a key therapeutic option across multiple stages of prostate cancer. In 2018, it received approval for non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, followed by approval for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer in 2019. In November 2023, Xtandi was approved for non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence and high risk of metastasis. This latest approval makes Xtandi the first androgen receptor signaling inhibitor approved for non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer without the need for gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy. Xtandi continues to generate significant revenue and remains protected by U.S. patents until August 2027, shielding it from generic competition. According to Pfizer's Q3 2024 earnings report, in the genitourinary oncology space, the androgen receptor signaling inhibitor Xtandi (enzalutamide, +28%) and the Nectin-4 ADC Padcev (enfortumab vedotin, acquired from Seagen) generated revenues of $506 million and $409 million, respectively, ranking second and third in Pfizer’s oncology drug sales.
7. TOP 7: Imbruvica (Ibrutinib)
202Q3Sales:$4.053 billion
Company：AbbVie/Johnson & Johnson
FDA First Approval Date：November 13, 2013
Indications:Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease (cGVHD), Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia (WM), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL)
Reasons for Best-Selling:Imbruvica is a kinase inhibitor that targets Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a key protein in the B-cell receptor signaling pathway. This protein plays a crucial role in the survival, growth, and movement of malignant B cells. By inhibiting BTK, Imbruvica disrupts these processes, helping to slow or halt the spread of cancer cells. In 2023, Statista ranked Imbruvica as one of the top ten oncology products globally. Despite operating in a highly competitive market, the drug remains a major contributor to AbbVie’s oncology portfolio, with annual net revenue reaching $5.915 billion. Imbruvica alone generated $3.596 billion in revenue for AbbVie, although this figure represents a 21.3% decline from the previous year due to increased competition and changing market conditions. According to AbbVie’s Q3 2024 earnings report, Imbruvica (ibrutinib) achieved sales revenue of $828 million in the oncology sector, marking an 8.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. The U.S. market remains the largest source of revenue, contributing $618 million, underscoring the drug’s significance within AbbVie’s product lineup despite the declining trend. Moving forward, AbbVie plans to leverage acquisitions and implement strategic initiatives to strengthen and stabilize Imbruvica’s position in the oncology market, mitigating the impact of competition and market pressures.
8、TOP 8：Ibrance (Palbociclib)
202Q3Sales:$3.271 billion
Company：Pfizer
FDA First Approval Date：February 3, 2015
Indications:Breast Cancer
Figure 8. Ibrance Structure
Reasons for Best-Selling:Ibrance's global sales exceeded $1.1 billion in 2023. In the Phase III clinical trial, Ibrance was used asHRPositive,HER2First-line treatment for adult patients with negative metastatic breast cancer has shown significant benefits, demonstrating strong progression-free survival data. The median time to delay disease progression was 24.8 months for the combination of Ibrance and letrozole, compared to 14.5 months for letrozole and placebo. Patients receiving Ibrance and letrozole had a 42% reduction in the risk of disease progression compared to those treated with letrozole and placebo. According to Pfizer's Q3 2024 earnings report, the top-selling oncology drug was the CDK4/6 inhibitor Ibrance (palbociclib), with Q3 sales of $1.087 billion, representing a 12% decrease year-over-year.
9, TOP 9: Perjeta (Pertuzumab)
202Q3Sales:$3.185 billion
Company：Roche
FDA First Approval Date：June 8, 2012
Reasons for Best-Selling:FDA Approval Based on APHINITY Phase III Study Shows Perjeta, Herceptin, and Chemotherapy Significantly Reduced Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer Recurrence or Death Compared to Herceptin and Chemotherapy Alone. In 2023, Perjeta’s sales reached $4.3 billion, increasing by 1%, driven primarily by growth in China and Brazil. According to Roche's Q3 2024 financial report, Perjeta's sales in the first three quarters of 2024 were approximately $3.185 billion, representing a year-on-year decrease of 1%.
10, TOP 10: Tecentriq (Atezolizumab)
202Q3 4th QuarterSales:$3.064 billion
Company：Roche
FDA First Approval Date：May 18, 2016
Indications:Urothelial Carcinoma, NSCLC, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Reasons for Best-Selling:In non-small cell lung cancer patients with high PD-L1 expression, treatment with Tecentriq significantly extended overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy. In a clinical trial involving 205 patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who tested positive for high PD-L1 expression and had no abnormal EGFR or ALK genes, patients treated with Tecentriq lived longer (20.2 months) compared to those receiving platinum-based chemotherapy (13.1 months). Global sales of Tecentriq exceeded $427.5 million in 2023, representing a 9% increase from 2022. According to Roche's Q3 2024 financial report, Tecentriq’s sales in the first three quarters of 2024 were approximately $3.064 billion, marking a 1% year-over-year increase.
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