Clarivate’s annual “Drugs to Watch 2026” report has identified 11 potential blockbusters, with Eli Lilly’s cardiometabolic therapies taking center stage. The overall market for these treatments is projected to reach $150 billion by 2035.
Eli Lilly in the spotlight: Next-gen obesity and diabetes meds Two investigational assets from the Indianapolis-based firm are poised to eventually succeed its current major products, Mounjaro and Zepbound:
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Orforglipron: A daily oral GLP-1 pill, with an FDA decision expected by March 2026. Sales are projected to reach $16 billion by 2031.
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Retatrutide: A weekly triple-action injection expected to launch in 2028. It is forecasted to generate a staggering $30 billion in 2031 revenue ($10 billion from obesity and $20 billion from diabetes).
Other notable medical breakthroughs
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Johnson & Johnson: Featured with two drugs: Inlexzo (a bladder-sparing drug-delivery system for cancer) and Icotrokinra (the first targeted oral peptide for plaque psoriasis).
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Oncology: Two protein degraders, BGB-16673 (BeOne Medicine) and Mezigdomide (Bristol Myers Squibb), are expected to shift paradigms in treating B-cell malignancies and multiple myeloma.
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Rare Diseases & Asthma: Otsuka’s Voyxact offers a new disease-modifying option for IgA nephropathy, while GSK’s Exdensur marks the first ultra-long-acting biologic for severe asthma with a six-month dosing schedule.
Despite regulatory setbacks for candidates like Sanofi’s Tolebrutinib and Corcept’s Relacorilant, the 2026 outlook highlights a significant industry shift toward convenient oral formulations and multi-hormone mechanisms.