Genmab gets another Darzalex boost

 Just a few years ago it looked uncertain whether Genmab/Johnson & Johnson’s Darzalex would hit 2024 forecasts of $6bn. Now sales of the multiple myeloma drug are set to come close to this figure already this year. During second-quarter results yesterday Genmab upped its 2021 Darzalex revenue guidance to $5.6-5.9bn, from $5.2-5.6bn previously. And the anti-CD38 MAb is now expected to breach the $10bn barrier by 2026, according to sellside consensus compiled by Evaluate Pharma. Jefferies analysts go further, estimating peak multiple myeloma sales of $10bn, plus $2bn from other indications. However, Genmab might not end up seeing as big a reward as it would like: the group is disputing how much J&J should be paying in royalties, with a resolution not expected for months. A look at the biggest drugs in 2026 shows Darzalex at number six, behind behemoths like Keytruda and Opdivo. One product on this list whose sales prospects look in doubt is Abbvie’s Jak inhibitor Rinvoq, which has had an approval decision delayed in atopic dermatitis, an important new indication. But Abbvie remains bullish, recently reaffirming a previous prediction that the drug can bring in $8bn by 2025.

The 10 biggest drugs in 2026
Product	Company	Description	2026e sales ($bn)
Keytruda	Merck & Co	Anti-PD1 antibody	27.0
Opdivo	Bristol Myers Squibb	Anti-PD1 antibody	13.3
Eliquis	Bristol Myers Squibb	Coagulation factor Xa inhibitor	12.5
Dupixent	Sanofi/Regeneron	Anti-IL-13 & IL-4 antibody	12.2
Biktarvy	Gilead Sciences	HIV-1 integrase inhibitor & HIV-1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor	11.2
Darzalex	Johnson & Johnson/Genmab	Anti-CD38 antibody	10.3
Tagrisso	Astrazeneca	EGFR inhibitor	9.6
Trikafta	Vertex Pharmaceuticals	CFTR potentiator & CFTR corrector	9.3
Rinvoq	Abbvie	Jak 1 inhibitor	8.9
Skyrizi	Abbvie	Anti-IL-23 antibody	8.4
Source: Evaluate Pharma. https://www.evaluate.com/vantage/articles/news/snippets/genmab-gets-another-darzalex-boost