Aimovig, Emgality and Ajovy have been on the market for more than a year, but are still far from blockbusters even though millions of patients are eligible for treatment – and at least one new competitor is coming.

Access to branded drugs has remained steady, but there has been less management across brands by commercial payers, according to an analysis of the I&I market access environment by Bernstein.

A series of decisions on anticancer drugs from the UK’s NICE will act as a reminder to drug developers excited by potential breakthroughs that health technology assessment has become an exacting filter for new medicines to pass through.

2019 will be remembered as a banner year for international drug makers as many grew at phenomenal rates in China, despite expansion of the “4+7” centralized procurement scheme and steep price cuts in exchange for reimbursement. As the government continues to emphasize affordability for cancer drugs and major anti-infectives, competition is heating up quickly and immune-oncology alone has seen six PD-1s elbowing each other for market share.

Initial knock-back from NICE means Akcea will need to improve commercial offer.

Novartis' Zolgensma and Pfizer's Vyndaqel were two of the early commercial standouts in 2019, on a likely blockbuster trajectory, while AbbVie's Skyrizi is poised to be fierce competitor in psoriasis.

The Medicines Patent Pool, a UN-backed public health organization, has announced deals with two major global pharma firms aimed at providing innovative, effective and affordable treatment for people - including children - living with HIV and TB. 

Hetero launches cut-price version of Gilead’s Biktarvy in India but 20 other India-based firms also hold licenses for the product. Gilead is entitled to a “modest royalty” on products produced under the voluntary license.