2014 showed us that breakthroughs are still happening all the time, especially within the world of biotechnology with new drugs being introduced every year.
And as we really settle in to 2015, there could be several new drugs to hit the market that could truly solve a problem, and that could mean blockbuster years for the stocks of the companies producing them.
Here are 5 potential blockbuster drugs to watch this year…
Last year, Gilead Sciences (GILD) had the most successful drug launch in history. Its new hepatitis C drug, called Sovaldi, accrued $10.3 billion in sales.
And that was just the top dog out of 41 new drug compounds to be developed in 2014, and for a variety of diseases, from skin infections to cancer to viruses and more.
Now it could be time for some new drugs to lead the way and become blockbusters for their companies…
And the people who own stock in those companies could see a payday unlike any they’ve ever experienced before!
In no particular order, here are 5 new drugs to keep an eye on this year…
1. Cosentyx – from Novartis (NVS)
Cosentyx is offering a new way to treat psoriasis, the itchy and possibly debilitating skin condition.
At least 75% of symptoms disappeared for over 80% of people who took the drug in 4 clinical trials. This drug is projected to get $1.3 billion in sales by 2020.
2. LCZ696 – from Novartis (NVS)
That’s not a typo—this drug used to treat heart failure is also from Novartis…
And this drug has even loftier expectations with projections putting it at $4 billion in sales by 2020.
3. PCSK9 inhibitors – from Regeneron (REGN) and (Amgen (AMGN)
This drug is aimed specifically at patients who haven’t been able to control their cholesterol with common drugs. PCSK9 inhibitors are designed to block bad cholesterol, and although studies are far from complete, this drug could make $4.5 billion in sales by 2020.
4. Kalydeco and lumacaftor combination – from Vertex (VRTX)
By treating cystic fibrosis, this pill would treat patients who have a specific genetic mutation. But despite its very narrowed target customer base, this drug is still expected to reach up to $3 billion in sales by 2020.
5. palbociclib – from Pfizer (PFE)
This breast cancer fighter received approval from the FDA two months earlier than expected. And although it’s not a curative drug, sales are expected to hit near the $4 billion mark by 2020.
