The number of new drugs that launched in 2021 was on par with recent high trends, but launch trajectories generally underwhelmed commercially – except for COVID-19 vaccines.

The pharma, biotech and allied industries came back together in London on 2 December to celebrate a year of exceptional achievement at the 17th Annual Scrip Awards, hosted by the journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan.

Orphan drugs and COVID-19 products are among the latest filings under review by the European Medicines Agency for potential pan-EU approval.

After the anti-PD-1/L1 antibody and cell therapy rush, antibody-drug conjugates are quickly gaining attention in China as new technologies and deal-making activity heats up, but one first mover warns of potential over-crowding.