Revamping best-selling drugs to combat patent cliff has limits

Core Insights - The pharmaceutical industry is facing a significant challenge as a wave of patent expiries approaches, threatening the exclusivity of major blockbuster drugs and potentially leading to substantial revenue losses for companies [1][2] Group 1: Patent Expiry and Market Impact - The impending patent cliff is expected to cause a dramatic dip in profits for pharmaceutical companies, particularly those reliant on best-selling drugs [1] - Companies are increasingly licensing new assets, particularly from China, to bolster their pipelines in response to the challenges posed by patent expiries [2] Group 2: Drug Reformulation Strategies - Pharmaceutical companies are revamping their best-selling medicines to enhance aspects such as durability and administration routes, aiming to extend market potential against biosimilar competition [3] - This trend is notably observed in oncology and ophthalmology sectors, with drugs like Keytruda and Eylea HD receiving significant upgrades [4] Group 3: Benefits of New Formulations - The transition from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) formulations is seen as a major shift in oncology, improving patient access and treatment efficiency [5][6] - New formulations are expected to reduce treatment delivery times from hours to minutes, leading to significant cost savings for healthcare providers [8]