Big Pharma’s most improved drugs: a new generation of blockbusters

Every blockbuster drug needs to start somewhere. Behind the bestselling treatments atop a major pharma’s earnings statement are products that might not be raking in the big sales numbers yet but have grown significantly in the beginning of their life cycles.

Below Merck & Co.’s cancer juggernaut Keytruda, there’s the pneumococcal vaccine Vaxneuvance. J&J’s longtime immunology blockbuster Stelara is pulling in billions, but the drug’s percent growth pales in comparison to oncology newcomer Tecvayli. These products aren’t necessarily household names yet, but their improvements over the last year are greater than anything else from the pharma giants.