1. Keytruda
Revenues: $20.9 billion
Indications: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck squamous cell cancer, high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, advanced urothelial bladder cancer, kidney cancer, high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, advanced cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Merck's PD-L1 inhibitor Keytruda was the best-selling cancer product in 2022 and is forecasted to be the top-selling pharmaceutical in 2023.
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) was approved for more than thirteen indications and is the best-selling product of Merck. It is under review in the US as a first-line treatment for urothelial cancer, a second-line treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma, and in Phase 3 development for some other cancers.
Keytruda reported revenues of nearly ~$21 billion, with an increase in revenue of +27% versus the previous year.
2. Revlimid
Revenues: $10 billion
Indications: Multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and marginal zone lymphoma
Celgene developed Revlimid (lenalidomide), which BMS later acquired. The drug acts by exhibiting immunomodulatory properties, inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis.
Revlimid was one of the most prescribed multiple myeloma therapy, indicated in combination with dexamethasone for patients with multiple myeloma.
The product has lost exclusivity, and multiple generics are entering the market; BMS forecasted revenues of $6.5 billion for 2023. Product revenues dropped by 22% in 2022 because of generics.
3. Imbruvica
Revenues: $8.1 billion
Indications: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and chronic graft versus host disease.
Imbruvica (ibrutinib) was jointly developed and commercialized by Janssen and AbbVie. Imbruvica is Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a protein found in B-cell, which signals the cells to multiply.
The revenues of Ibrutinib are dropping because of competitor pressure; Janssen reported a significant reduction in the revenues by 13% in 2022.
4. Darzalex
Revenues: $8.0 billion
Indications: Multiple myeloma
Darzalex (daratumumab) is a CD38-directed cytolytic antibody approved for multiple myeloma. It is approved for treating naive and refractory patients.
Janssen reported revenue of $8.0 billion, a growth of 32% in 2022. Janssen announced that there was significant uptake because of the market growth across all geographies and subcutaneous formulation.
5. Opdivo
Revenues: $8.2 billion
Indications: Non-small cell lung cancer, advanced kidney cancer, advanced liver cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric or gastroesophageal cancers, melanoma, head and neck squamous cell cancer, bladder or urinary tract cancer, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, malignant pleural mesothelioma.
The second PD-L1 inhibitor in the list is Opdivo (nivolumab) from BMS. Opdivo generated revenues of $8.3 billion in 2022, an increase of 10% versus 2021. The demand for 1L lung cancer, 1L renal cancer, 1L gastric cancer, and neoadjuvant lung cancer drove the growth.
6. Tagrisso
Revenues: $5.5 billion
Indications: Non-small cell lung cancer
AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (osimertinib) was approved for NSCLC and is generated significant revenues, an increase of 16% versus 2021.
7. Ibrance
Revenues: $5.1 billion
Indications: Breast cancer
Pfizer's CDK4/6 inhibitor Ibrance (palbociclib), approved for breast cancer, generated revenues of $5.1 billion, a decrease of 6% versus the previous year.
The revenue decrease is because of the increased competition with the other CDK4/6 inhibitors.
8. Perjeta
Revenues: $4.4 billion
Indications: Breast cancer
Roche's Perjeta (pertuzumab) generated revenues of $4.4 billion, indicated for early breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. There was an increase in revenue of 5% versus the previous year. Roche reported a revenue decline in Europe because of currency conversion.
9. Tecentriq
Revenues: $4.0 billion
Indications: Non-small cell lung cancer, liver cancer, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, advanced melanoma, and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
The third PD-L1 inhibitor in the list is Roche's Tecentriq (atezolizumab), which is approved for non-small cell lung cancer, liver cancer, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, advanced melanoma, and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
There was a growth of 14%, primarily driven by adjuvant NSCLC, 1L HCC, and 1L SCLC.
10. Pomalyst/Imnovid
Revenues:$3.5 billion
Indications: Multiple myeloma and Kaposis sarcoma
BMS, another multiple myeloma product, is on the list; Pomalyst (pomalidomide) recorded revenues of $3.5 billion, an increase of 5% versus 2021.
Pomalyst revenues have been increasing because of the take-up in the earlier lines and extending treatment duration.