J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference | News | Updates | iPharmaCenter
- Badari Andukuri
- Jan 17
- 8 min read
Eli Lilly Highlights Expansive Pipeline at JPM 2026, Targeting 1 Billion Patients in High-Volume Diseases
Eli Lilly showcased its strategy to address massive patient populations across obesity, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, pain, cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic diseases at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
Key Pipeline Molecules of Eli Lilly
Lilly's key pipeline includes tirzepatide (blockbuster GLP-1/GIP agonist for obesity/diabetes), orforglipron (oral GLP-1 in Phase 3), eloralintide, brenipatide, and retatrutide.
Novel Indications and Platforms of Eli Lilly
Lilly is exploring incretins in neuroscience (e.g., early Alzheimer’s) and inflammation, alongside elevated lipoprotein(a), chronic pain, and early breast cancer.
The company advances drugs 3.5 years faster than peers, focusing on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), radioligand therapies, siRNA and genetic medicines.
AbbVie presented how it is stabilizing growth after Humira’s LoE by leaning on immunology, neuroscience, and oncology pipeline
Post‑Humira immunology engine
After adalimumab biosimilars entered in 2023, AbbVie absorbed substantial Humira erosion but backfilled much of the gap through strong uptake of Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) across immune‑mediated diseases. Between 2023 and 2025, management points to multi‑billion‑dollar net sales growth despite sizable headwinds from Humira competition and the Inflation Reduction Act, with Skyrizi and Rinvoq positioned to reach several tens of billions in annual revenue later this decade as their indications broaden.
Neuroscience momentum of AbbVie
Neuroscience is now the fastest‑growing part of AbbVie’s business, driven by Vraylar in psychiatry and Ubrelvy, Qulipta, and Botox in migraine and neurotoxins. Parkinson’s disease assets Vyalev and late‑stage oral candidate tavapadon add further upside, with the latter expected to launch around the end of 2026 as a potential best‑in‑class option if pivotal data translate into approval.
Oncology portfolio of AbbVie
In oncology, AbbVie is expanding around c‑Met–targeted therapies following Emrelis (telisotuzumab vedotin) approval in c‑Met–high NSCLC and is progressing a next‑generation c‑Met ADC with a different payload that has shown encouraging early activity, including in colorectal cancer. Additional Phase III programs in pancreatic, head and neck, and ovarian cancers, alongside an exclusive deal for bispecific antibody RC148, reflect a strategy to grow targeted oncology while complementing internal R&D with external partnerships.
Roche at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026
Roche is using the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference to underline a partnership driven growth strategy built around neurology, oncology, and cardiometabolic disease, with a deep late‑stage pipeline supporting long‑term expansion.
At the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Roche highlighted a growth strategy anchored in large‑scale partnerships, lifecycle management of its multiple sclerosis (MS) portfolio, and a broad wave of potential launches toward 2030.
Management emphasized that around 60% of the company’s R&D pipeline and pharma revenues are now linked to partnered assets, underscoring business development as a central lever for sustaining long‑term growth.
Partnerships at the core of growth
Roche signaled that external innovation is now structurally embedded in its model, with roughly 60% of both its pipeline and pharma sales involving collaborations or in‑licensed products.
Recent deals with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Telavant, Poseida Therapeutics, 89bio, Carmot Therapeutics, Regor Therapeutics and Zealand Pharma illustrate a deliberate push into RNA therapeutics, inflammation, next‑generation cell therapy and cardiometabolic disease.
Ocrevus and the MS franchise
In neurology, Roche reiterated the central role of Ocrevus in its medium‑term outlook. The drug is expected to approach CHF 9 billion in annual sales by 2029, supported by strong real‑world data and continued uptake in both relapsing and primary progressive MS.
The subcutaneous formulation is in the early launch phase, with the company indicating that around half of U.S. SC initiations are patients new to the brand, positioning the new route of administration as a growth driver rather than just a switch strategy ahead of key patent expiries.
Late‑stage NMEs as growth optionality
Roche guided to regulatory filings for up to three new molecular entities (NMEs) in 2026, reflecting a maturing late‑stage pipeline. These include giredestrant in first‑line ER‑positive/HER2‑negative metastatic breast cancer, fenebrutinib in relapsing MS, and vamikibart or satralizumab in uveitic macular edema.
Looking to 2030: up to 19 launch opportunities
Beyond the near term, Roche pointed to a pipeline of up to 19 NMEs with launch potential by 2030, spanning oncology, immunology, neurology and metabolic disease.
Novartis at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026
Novartis is concentrating its efforts on four main therapeutic pillars: cardiovascular‑renal‑metabolic disease, immune‑mediated conditions, neurological disorders, and oncology
To support these areas, the company is leaning on a set of technology platforms spanning small‑molecule chemistry, advanced biologics, xRNA approaches, radioligand therapies, and gene and cell‑based treatments, aiming to compete in both mature and next‑generation modalities.
Novartis emphasized that there was a high focus on strengthening the pipeline via external innovation, including bolt‑on acquisitions, licensing deals, and research collaborations to complement internal R&D.
Geographic and commercial priorities
Commercial execution is being sharpened in four priority markets, the United States, China, Germany, and Japan, which Novartis expects to account for the majority of its growth over the coming years.
Within these geographies, the company is concentrating launch resources around a cluster of growth drivers, including Kisqali, Leqvio, Rhapsido, Pluvicto, Scemblix, Kesimpta, Fabhalta, Vanrafia, and ITVISMA.
Management framed this group of in‑market medicines as the backbone of its near‑term expansion, complemented by a risk‑adjusted late‑stage pipeline that includes ianalumab, Ac‑PSMA‑617, and pelacarsen.
These candidates are expected to broaden the company’s presence in autoimmune disease, cardiovascular risk reduction, and targeted oncology if Phase III results and regulatory interactions are favorable.
Peak sales ambitions in key brands of Novartis
Novartis outlined aggressive peak sales aspirations for several flagship medicines. Kisqali is now guided to more than $10 billion dollars in potential annual revenue, reflecting confidence in its role in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.
Cosentyx is expected to surpass $8 billion, while Kesimpta is projected above $6 billion and Pluvicto at or above $5 billion, underscoring company optimism around immunology, multiple sclerosis, and radioligand oncology demand.
Key therapy areas
In cardiovascular‑renal‑metabolic disease, Novartis is targeting conditions with substantial residual risk and limited treatment options, supported by a robust late‑stage portfolio that could deliver seven Phase III readouts by 2030.
The immunology strategy centers on building a strong in‑market footprint while advancing new mechanisms for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases where durable remission and organ protection remain unmet needs.
In neuroscience, the pipeline is anchored in multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders, with bolt‑on transactions helping to expand the company’s capabilities and asset base in these high‑burden indications.
Oncology remains a core growth pillar, with a sizeable development program across prostate and breast cancer and a deep bench in radioligand therapies, many of which are designed for multi‑indication expansion to maximise long‑term value from each asset.
Merck at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026
Merck used its J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference presentation to show how it plans to sustain growth as Keytruda moves toward loss of exclusivity.
Preparing for the post‑Keytruda era
Merck framed its strategy as the “next wave of innovation” built on a very large clinical programme. The company currently has around 80 Phase 3 studies in progress across different therapeutic areas. It expects more than 20 new product launches over the coming years, and indicated that almost all of these candidates have blockbuster potential.
Oncology pipeline
Oncology remains a core pillar of Merck’s story at the conference. Late‑stage cancer programmes highlighted include:
Phase 3 studies for sac‑TMT4, a TROP2‑targeting asset, in multiple tumour types.
Phase 3 studies for calderasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, in non‑small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Phase 3 studies for I‑DXd, which targets B7H3, in esophageal cancer and metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer.
A Phase 3 study for P‑DXd, a HER3‑directed asset, in breast cancer.
These programmes are designed to broaden Merck’s oncology portfolio beyond its existing immuno‑oncology backbone.
Infectious disease, immunology and ophthalmology
In infectious diseases, Merck is advancing:
Phase 3 studies for MK‑8527 as an option for HIV pre‑exposure prophylaxis.
A Phase 3 study for the dengue vaccine candidate V181.
In immunology, the company is pushing tulisokibart, a TL1A‑targeting antibody, through Phase 2b trials across several indications outside inflammatory bowel disease, positioning it as a potential multi‑indication immunology asset.
Ophthalmology is another emerging focus area. Merck is running:
A Phase 2 study of MK‑8748, which acts on Tie‑2 and VEGF, in neovascular age‑related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and branch retinal vein occlusion.
A Phase 2 study of MK‑3000, which modulates the Wnt pathway, in neovascular age‑related macular degeneration and branch retinal vein occlusion.
Investment and long‑term growth ambition
Merck emphasised a strong recent investment track record to support this pipeline. Since 2021, the company has invested more than $60 billion, reflecting both internal R&D spending and external deals.
By the mid‑2030s, Merck expects its annual revenue to exceed $70 billion. This outlook is primarily tied to a new set of growth drivers, including Winrevair, Ohtuvayre, enlicitide decanoate, tulisokibart, sacituzumab tirumotecan, ifinatamab deruxtecan and Enflonsia.
BMS showed robust pipeline at JPM 2026
BMS showcased pipeline assets with multi-billion-dollar potential at the JPM 2026 conference, spanning neuroscience, cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology. Key drivers include Cobenfy in neuroscience, milvexian in cardiovascular, admilparant in immunology, and oncology programs like pumitamig, iberdomide, and mezigdomide.
2026 Registrational Data of Bristol Myers Squibb
The company anticipates pivotal NME registrational data in 2026 from multiple trials, including ALOFT-IPF for admilparant in IPF, QUINTESSENTIAL for arlo-cel in 4L+ MM, EXCALIBER-RRMM for iberdomide RRMM PFS, SUCCESSOR-2 for mezigdomide RRMM, LIBREXIA-AF1 for milvexian AF, LIBEXIA-STROKE1 for milvexian SSP, and ACTION-1 for RYZ101 in 2L+ GEP-NETs.
Upcoming NME Launches of Bristol Myers Squibb
Notable new NMEs poised for 2027-2028 launches include arlo-cel for MM 4L+, iberdomide and mezigdomide for RRMM, obexelimab for IgG4-RD, admilparant for IPF and PPF, milvexian for AF and SSP, and RYZ101 for GEP-NETs. These advances position BMS for a wave of 10+ new product launches by 2030.
Astellas presented long-term growth strategy at JP Morgan 2026 conference
Astellas used its J.P. Morgan 2026 presentation to show how it plans to offset the XTANDI loss of exclusivity by accelerating a higher‑margin, largely fully owned pipeline across oncology, rare diseases, ophthalmology and other medical specialties.
Strategic and financial focus of Astellas
Astellas is deliberately shifting from XTANDI co‑promotion economics toward a mix of “strategic brands” and new assets that can lift core operating margin. Management framed XTANDI as largely maximized through life‑cycle management globally and positioned the next growth phase around internal and partnered innovations in oncology and specialty care.
Current growth brands of Astellas
The company highlighted several key in‑market brands with multi‑billion or high‑hundreds‑of‑millions peak sales potential:
Padcev: Peak sales guidance around 2.8–3.5 billion dollars, driven by bladder cancer use and new indications.
Vyloy: Target range of roughly 0.7–1.4 billion dollars as an important oncology growth driver.
Xospata: Also guided to about 0.7–1.4 billion dollars in hematologic malignancies.
Izervay: Forecast peak sales in the 1.4–2.8 billion dollar range in ophthalmology.
Veozah: Expected to reach approximately 1.0–1.7 billion dollars in women’s health.
These strategic brands already contribute strongly to revenue and profit and are intended to help bridge the XTANDI cliff.
Therapeutic area priorities
Astellas reaffirmed that oncology, rare diseases, ophthalmology and broader medical specialty indications are its core therapeutic pillars. Within these, the company is concentrating capital on assets with clear differentiation and proof‑of‑concept potential rather than broad early‑stage exploration.
Four proof‑of‑concept drivers
Management highlighted four flagship programs that provide visibility to a future inflection in growth:
ASP3082 (setidegrasib): A targeted protein degrader against KRAS G12D, aiming to be first‑in‑class in solid tumors such as pancreatic and lung cancers.
ASP2138: A CLDN18.2xCD3 bispecific immune‑cell engager with potential first‑in‑class positioning in difficult gastric, gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic cancers.
ASP7317: A pluripotent stem cell–derived ophthalmic cell therapy, the company’s first such program in the clinic for a leading cause of blindness.
AT845: An AAV gene‑replacement therapy targeting the underlying cause of Pompe disease, a severe rare neuromuscular disorder.
Together, these proof‑of‑concept assets are intended to set up the next wave of growth as XTANDI declines, complementing the strong performance of Padcev, Vyloy, Xospata, Izervay and Veozah.
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