November 2025 • PharmaTimes Magazine • 34-35
// PHARMA //
Time capsule
The ten groundbreaking drugs shaping 2025 and the future
2025 is not just another year in pharma – it’s a turning point. The industry is riding a wave of scientific breakthroughs, regulatory agility and patient-centric innovation that’s reshaping the very fabric of modern medicine.
From AI-assisted drug discovery to next-gen biologics, the pace of progress has never been faster – and the stakes have never been higher.
This year’s standout launches aren’t just incremental upgrades. They’re paradigm shifts. We’re seeing the rise of oral biologics, non-opioid painkillers, and therapies that treat the root cause of disease rather than just the symptoms. In terms of drug dynamics, the focus is sharper, the science deeper and the ambition bolder.
Here are ten of the most groundbreaking pharmaceuticals making waves and changing lives across the globe. Each one is a testament to the relentless ambition of a sector that recalibrates and evolves irrespective of worldwide political and military turbulence.
1. Alyftrek (Vertex Pharmaceuticals)
Target: Cystic fibrosis
Alyftrek is the crown jewel of Vertex’s cystic fibrosis pipeline. This triple-combination therapy builds on the success of Trikafta, offering enhanced efficacy for patients with rare mutations. With its ability to restore CFTR protein function more effectively, Alyftrek is expected to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life for thousands.
2. Datopotamab deruxtecan
(AstraZeneca/Daiichi Sankyo)
Target: Non-small cell lung cancer & breast cancer
This antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) is rewriting the oncology playbook. By delivering a potent chemotherapy payload directly to cancer cells via a targeted antibody, Datopotamab Deruxtecan offers a precision strike against tumours with fewer side effects. It’s already showing promise in late-stage trials for lung and breast cancers.
‘In terms of drug dynamics, the focus is sharper, the science deeper and the ambition bolder’
3. Suzetrigine (Vertex Pharmaceuticals)
Target: Acute and chronic pain
Suzetrigine is a game changer in pain management. As a selective NaV1.8 inhibitor, it blocks pain signals without the addictive risks of opioids. With the opioid crisis still casting a long shadow, Suzetrigine’s arrival could mark a seismic shift in how we treat pain — safely, effectively and without dependency.
4. Fitusiran (Alnylam/Sanofi)
Target: Haemophilia A & B
Fitusiran is a synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy that reduces antithrombin levels, boosting thrombin generation and improving clotting. With monthly or bimonthly dosing, it offers a convenient alternative to traditional factor replacement therapies. Phase 3 trials show dramatic reductions in bleeding rates, making it a beacon of hope for haemophilia patients.
5. Fenebrutinib (Genentech/Roche)
Target: Multiple sclerosis
BTK inhibitors have had a rocky road in MS, but Fenebrutinib is turning heads with its reversible, non-covalent binding profile. Designed for secondary progressive MS, it’s showing promise where other drugs faltered. If successful, it could offer a new lifeline for patients with few options left.
6. Enlicitide decanoate (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
Target: Hypercholesterolemia
Statins have long dominated cholesterol management, but Enlicitide decanoate is poised to disrupt the status quo. As the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, it offers once-daily dosing and powerful LDL reduction. With Keytruda’s patent nearing expiry, Merck is betting big on this lipid-lowering marvel.
7. Vepdegestrant (Arvinas/Pfizer)
Target: HR+ HER2- breast cancer
Vepdegestrant is a next-gen oral therapy that degrades oestrogen receptors using PROTAC technology. It’s being tested both as monotherapy and in combination with CDK4 inhibitors. With Pfizer’s Ibrance facing stiff competition, Vepdegestrant could be the company’s comeback in breast cancer treatment.
8. Mazdutide (Innovent Biologics/Eli Lilly)
Target: Obesity & type 2 diabetes
Mazdutide is entering the metabolic battlefield with dual-action firepower. By activating both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, it promotes weight loss and improves glycaemic control. With obesity rates soaring globally, this drug could be a cornerstone in the fight against metabolic disease.
9. Depemokimab (GSK)
Target: Severe asthma
Depemokimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting IL-5, designed for patients with eosinophilic asthma. Its twice-yearly dosing schedule is a major win for adherence and convenience. GSK is banking on this biologic to strengthen its respiratory portfolio and offer relief to millions.
10. MenABCWY (Pfizer)
Target: Meningococcal disease
MenABCWY combines protection against five meningococcal serogroups into one jab – a first in vaccine development. With meningitis outbreaks still a global threat, this vaccine simplifies immunisation and broadens coverage, especially for adolescents and young adults.
Looking ahead
If these drugs deliver on their promise, they won’t just treat disease – they’ll redefine it; reshape the destiny of people from all walks of life.
From chronic conditions to rare disorders, the future of medicine is being written in the labs of 2025. And for patients, that future looks brighter than ever.
Why these drugs matter
These ten therapies aren’t just scientific triumphs – they’re strategic masterstrokes. Collectively, they’re forecast to generate over £23 billion annually by 2030. But more importantly, they represent a shift towards:
- Precision medicine: Targeted therapies like Datopotamab deruxtecan and Vepdegestrant are tailored to specific tumour profiles
- Convenience and adherence: Drugs like Depemokimab and Fitusiran reduce dosing frequency, improving patient compliance
- Safety and innovation: Suzetrigine’s non-opioid mechanism and Enlicitide’s oral delivery are safer, smarter alternatives to legacy treatments.
The bigger picture
2025 is a landmark year for biopharma. These launches reflect deeper trends:
- RNA-based therapies are maturing, with Fitusiran leading the charge
- Protein degradation is emerging as a powerful therapeutic strategy, exemplified by Vepdegestrant
- Digital health integration is accelerating, with many of these drugs paired with companion apps and monitoring tools.
As regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA streamline approval pathways for breakthrough therapies, we can expect faster access and, pivotally, broader adoption.
John Pinching, Editor, PharmaTimes
PharmaTimes
PharmaTimes is the UK’s leading pharmaceutical magazine, tracking the trends and issues that affect the industry here in the UK, in Europe and across the world. We deliver independent, authoritative and trustworthy content through impartial, balanced and informed opinion and analysis.