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June 2026
Drug Launch Superstars: Where are They Now?
Market incentives work to support supplemental approvals and competition
In this Center for Pharmacoeconomics (CPE) Special Report, we examine the real-world market dynamics of 15 drugs—10 small molecules and 5 biologics. The drugs examined had only been in the market for 12 to 16 years at the time of this analysis.
Of the 15 drugs examined, all but two (87%) have had at least one supplemental approval (e.g., new indication, expanded population, new formulation, updated label). There was an average of 4.5 supplemental approvals per drug suggesting there were market incentives for manufacturers to invest in post-approval research and development. These supplemental approvals are beneficial for society and the stakeholders within the healthcare system.
At the time of this report posting, the majority (60%) of the drugs examined were already facing generic or biosimilar competition suggesting there were market incentives for generics and biosimilars to enter the market as quickly as possible. For the subset of drugs we examined that had a generic/biosimilar with public price estimates available, substantial price drops were already observed. For products with a generic in the market for more than one year, the generic price was 87% to 99% lower than the branded launch price. Generic and biosimilar competition after the appropriate exclusivity period is essential to promote ongoing innovation and lower drug costs.
The drugs evaluated in this CPE Special Report may not be reflective of all drugs. However, these real-world examples illustrate how market-based incentives are working to support supplemental approvals (which should be a win-win for the manufacturer and society) and the entry of generic/biosimilar competition (which should result in substantial price drops).
A drug has a variety of market incentives and dynamics over its lifecycle, and it is critically important these are acknowledged when critiquing prices and developing policies.
Read our full report for more details and discussion.
Drug Launch Superstars: Where Are They Now?
Click here to read the full report.
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The Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics is a division of MEDACorp and an affiliate of Leerink Partners
Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics
– Melanie Whittington, PhD, Managing Director, Head of the Center for Pharmacoeconomics
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Disclosures
The Center for Pharmacoeconomics (“CPE”) is a division of MEDACorp LLC (“MEDACorp”). CPE is committed to advancing the understanding and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of healthcare treatments in the United States. Through its thought leadership, evaluations, and advisory services, CPE supports decisions intended to improve societal outcomes. MEDACorp, an affiliate of Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”), maintains a global network of independent healthcare professionals providing industry and market insights to Leerink Partners and its clients. The information provided by the Center for Pharmacoeconomics is intended for the sole use of the recipient, is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security, product, or service. The information has been obtained from sources that we believe reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All information is subject to change without notice, and any opinions and information contained herein are as of the date of this material, and MEDACorp does not undertake any obligation to update them. This document may not be reproduced, edited, or circulated without the express written consent of MEDACorp.
© 2026 MEDACorp LLC. All Rights Reserved.
