According to EP Vantage, the editorial arm of Evaluate, the current business friendly stance at the FDA is unlikely to change next year, while M&A could see an uptick, driven by big pharma and big biotech’s need to re-stock pipelines and US tax reforms.
The coming year will also test the commercial expectations that have been hung on novel therapies like CAR-T and gene therapy, which are being launched into increasingly cost-sensitive markets.
Important clinical read-outs from the field of immuno-oncology, where asset values remain very high, will be closely watched — all of which will help set the tone for investors throughout the year.
“Venture capital funds are very well stocked going into 2018, both public and private investors look set to remain supportive of innovative, early-stage drug developers,” said Amy Brown, report author.
“However there is evidence that expectations have got ahead of themselves in certain areas — particularly in immuno-oncology. To keep investors on side next year the industry needs to deliver some big pipeline wins and important new drug launches need to perform.”
Pharma & Biotech 2018 Preview — Analysis Highlights:
- Gilead’s new HIV triplet is the biggest potential new drug launch of 2018, with 2022 sales predicted to reach $5bn
- Abbvie’s Humira will be biggest selling drug in 2018, with global sales topping $20bn
- Merck’s Keytruda will add the most new sales next year, $2.3bn
- M&A activity expected to climb after slow 2017 — US tax reform could be a deciding factor for big deals
- another big year predicted for venture financing, as crossover funds return and push 2017 towards a record IPO window expected to remain open to cashed-up private companies
- another strong year expected for licensing transactions in 2018, with a pick-up in activity in 2017 set to continue
- focus on immuno-oncology set to continue with new checkpoint targets moving through the clinic
- drug pricing debate in US expected to ease
The report can be downloaded at www.evaluategroup.com/PharmaBiotech2018Preview