In 2023, there were significant advancements and notable trends in the life sciences. These advancements and trends addressed important industry challenges and offered opportunities to foster innovations and solutions in areas including drug development, healthcare and medical devices.
Xtalks compiled a list of its top life science news and trends of 2023, which provided readers with the latest developments, information and expert insights across life science industries, including pharma, biotech and medical device. Read on to see our editorial team’s top news picks of the year.
1. GLP-1 Agonists for Diabetes: Mounjaro Versus Ozempic
Perhaps the biggest talk of the town in pharma this year was the continued frenzy around GLP-1 agonist diabetes drugs. Shortages of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 agonist Ozempic (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly’s dual GLP-1/GIP agonist Mounjaro (tirzepatide) continued in 2023 and are expected well into 2024 (you can read about the two drugs here). The shortages have been partly blamed on the off-label prescribing of the drugs for weight loss.
Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 weight loss-specific drug Wegovy (semaglutide) has been facing similar shortages, as it contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic. And this year Eli Lilly stepped into the obesity drug market with its own GLP-1 weight loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide), which the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in November of this year. Novo and Lilly are hard at work to expand their manufacturing capacities to meet the skyrocketing demand for their GLP-1 blockbusters.
2. Non-Stimulant ADHD Drugs: Qelbree Versus Strattera
While stimulants continue to be the first-line treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common childhood neurobehavioral mental health disorders, there has been growing interest in non-stimulant drugs for the condition. Non-stimulants typically have fewer side effects than stimulants, which can have significant ones, such as risk of addiction and effects on appetite, sleep and mood. As such, non-stimulant ADHD medications have been gaining significant interest, particularly for children who cannot tolerate high doses of stimulants.
Strattera (atomoxetrine) and Qelbree (extended-release viloxazineare) are selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) and two of the most notable non-stimulant ADHD drugs in the market. Click here to see how the two compare with respect to active ingredients, mechanism of action, dosing, side effects and cost.
3. Biotech IPOs in 2023: Shaping the Future of Innovation
In 2023, the biotech IPO landscape saw a mix of challenges and successes. While the number of biotech IPOs decreased significantly in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to economic uncertainties and investor caution, 2023 witnessed a small resurgence in IPO activity in the biotech sector, driven by advancements in therapeutic areas and emerging technologies. Check out this article to learn about the biotech companies that went public this year. The companies include a diverse range engaged in innovative approaches in areas like oncology, genetic medicines, inflammatory diseases, dermatology and cardiorenal therapy. Despite earlier setbacks, the IPOs reflect a vibrant biotech industry, optimistic about growth, innovation and success.
4. Top New Prescription Drug Commercials on TV 2023
In 2023, despite the rising trend of digital media advertising in many sectors, direct-to-consumer (DTC) TV advertising remained a prominent strategy in the US pharmaceutical industry. Notably, pharmaceutical drugs dominated TV ad impressions this year, with an iSpot.tv report indicating that they accounted for half of the most viewed new brands.
Bayer’s Astepro (azelastine), an over-the-counter medication for cold, flu and allergies, led the pack in the first half of 2023 with 7.4 billion ad impressions. Other top impressions included AbbVie’s Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) for Crohn’s disease and psoriatic arthritis; Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) from Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis; and Mounjaro by Eli Lilly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Click here for the full list. The ads were mainly featured on major networks like NBC and ABC, and highlighted during specific events or seasons relevant to the drug’s use and target demographic.
5. ‘No Time to Wait’ Ad Campaign from BMS-Pfizer Features Basketball Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for AFib Awareness
As pharma TV advertising remained popular in 2023, so did partnerships between pharma companies and celebrities for disease and drug campaigns. Pfizer and BMS’s “No Time to Wait” campaign to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib) featured basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In the TV ad for the campaign, which you can watch here, Abdul-Jabbar shared his AFib experience, talking about the symptoms that led to his diagnosis and urging people to seek medical advice if they notice similar signs. Coinciding with American Heart Month, the campaign also addressed the broader issue of heart disease, a leading cause of death in the US. Originally launched in 2020 to encourage doctor visits during the pandemic, the BMS-Pfizer campaign, which also covers deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, aligned with the growing sales of their anticoagulant, Eliquis (apixaban).
6. GSK Canada’s New RSV Vaccine Ad Features Wayne Gretzky, Young and Old
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Canada roped in hockey legend Wayne Gretzky for a TV ad for the company’s newly approved respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Arexvy. The ad features a younger, AI-generated version of Gretzky and his present-day self. The creative concept involves a younger Gretzky informing his older self about the risks of RSV not just for children but also for older adults and the importance of vaccination. GSK Canada chose Gretzky for his iconic status and the influence he has on the Canadian public, especially those over 60. The ad followed GSK’s earlier campaign featuring Magic Johnson, aiming to raise awareness about RSV following Arexvy’s FDA approval in May 2023 for adults 60 years of age and older.
7. Top 10 Medical Device Companies in 2023: Statistics and Trends
The top 10 medical device companies in 2023 encompass companies focused on advancements, innovations and strategic initiatives in enhancing patient care and transforming healthcare. The list included all of the main industry stalwarts like Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Stryker, which have excelled through their robust research and development (R&D), quality commitment and extensive global presence. Read the article for the complete list of companies and details about their revenue, R&D spending, significant achievements, product launches, FDA approvals and strategic partnerships.
8. Top 30 Pharma Companies in 2023: Statistics and Trends
Xtalks assembled a comprehensive list of the top pharma companies in 2023 by revenue. Companies on the list, which you can check out here, represent some of the most significant players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, contributing to advancements in healthcare and the development of new treatments for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Unsurprisingly, Pfizer topped the list with an annual reported revenue of $100.33 billion in 2022. The company’s COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) were the company’s top sellers that year. Check out the full list, which includes information about each company’s revenue, net income, R&D investments, core therapeutic areas, market presence and strategic collaborations.
9. 10 Trends and Statistics for Clinical Trials in 2023
Several key trends in clinical trials have been shaping the landscape of the field this year. There has been significant growth in the number of registered clinical trials globally, with a focus on interventional studies. Additionally, there has been increasing complexity in clinical trial designs and an overall higher cost of drug development. For more details about the landscape of clinical trials in 2023, including the global distribution of trials, emerging markets, trial success rates, the continued prominence of oncology trials and the rising role and market value of clinical research organizations (CROs), read the full article here.
10. Life Science Consulting Jobs: A Unique Career
Life science consulting, which involves working with clients in industries like pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotech to achieve operational and financial goals, is a field of growing interest, which is why this topic made it onto our list. Life science consultants offer a range of services, including research support, data analytics, regulatory compliance, product development and commercial strategy. Life science consulting is ideal for those interested in combining scientific expertise with business acumen to solve complex industry challenges. Read the full article for more insights into the dynamic field of life science consulting.
The year 2023 was filled with some remarkable news and advancements in the life sciences. This included the approval of several cell and gene therapies and significant technological advancements such as the incorporation of AI and machine learning in drug development and medical imaging. Pharma, biotech and medical device companies that steered innovation in 2023 hope to continue doing so in the coming years to help transform drug and device development and bring the best treatments to patients.
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