The rheumatoid arthritis treatment Humira will replace Lipitor as the world's biggest-selling drug in 2016, but a familiar name, Pfizer, will still be the biggest seller of medicines after the patent cliff according to the World Preview 2016 report published today by EvaluatePharma, the premier provider of pharma and biotech analysis.
The cancer treatment Avastin had been widely expected to emerge as the biggest blockbuster drug following patent expiry next year for Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering drug. However, Avastin has experienced some clinical setbacks this year and as a result Humira is now forecast to be the top drug with sales of $10.1bn in 2016, according to the EvaluatePharma report.
Meanwhile, Pfizer, through a strategy of mergers and acquisitions including last year's $68bn mega-merger with Wyeth, will cling to the top spot in prescription sales, although Merck & Co, thanks to its $41bn merger with Schering-Plough last year, will be close behind.
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