With Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound ranking amongthe top ten global best-selling drugs in 2025,obesity treatment remains undoubtedly one of the most high-profile research areas in the pharmaceutical industry. However, beyond the spotlight of weight-loss drugs, other disease areas are also nurturing blockbuster candidates worth attention.

Eli Lilly's triple agonist retatrutide achievedan average weight loss of 28.3% over 80 weeksin Phase III clinical trials, while Novo Nordisk's CagriSemafailed to meet its primary endpointin a head-to-head trial against Eli Lilly's tirzepatide earlier this year. Although these candidates frequently make headlines, obesity is not the only pipeline worth watching. The following three investigational drugs also have the potential to become blockbusters.

A 'stunning' possibility in pancreatic cancer: Revolution Medicines' daraxonrasib

Clinical trial results receiving astanding ovationat academic conferences is uncommon, but it truly happened at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting—when oncologists saw the data for Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer drug daraxonrasib, the audience was electrified. Industry experts described the clinical results as 'jaw-dropping' and 'astonishing,' and this drug has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for this deadly cancer.

Daraxonrasib is an investigational oral, once-daily treatment for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Data showed that, compared with chemotherapy, the drugnearly doubled survivaland improved progression-free survival, while causing fewer severe side effects. Additionally, oral administration is more convenient than intravenous chemotherapy, potentially improving patient adherence.

If daraxonrasib is approved, it not only has the chance to become the new standard of care, but according to some analyst estimates, its annual salescould reach $4.3 billion by 2032.。

Daraxonrasib has been included in the FDA's National Priority Voucher pilot program and has previously received Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations. The U.S. FDAacceptedRevolution's New Drug Application (NDA) in July.

A safer CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma: Gilead's anito-cel

Although CAR-T cell therapy offers hope for multiple myeloma patients, itspotential side effectshave always been a significant barrier for patients.

Anito-cel is a BCMA-targeted CAR-T cell therapy that is expected to directly compete with Johnson & Johnson'sblockbuster drug Carvyktiand may offer advantages in safety.

Gilead has high hopes for anito-cel, having acquired Arcellx for up to$7.8 billionand taken full control of the drug—which was originally developed in collaboration between Arcellx and Gilead's Kite Pharma.

Data released in December 2025showedthat anito-cel achieved an overall response rate of 96%,a stringent complete response/complete responserate of 74%,and a minimal residual disease negativityrate of 95%, with a safety profile described as 'predictable and manageable.'

The drug's Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is set for December 23.

Next-generation Alzheimer's therapy: Eli Lilly's remternetug

Eli Lilly achieved a major victory in 2024 with FDA approval of its anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drug Kisunla.

Now, its follow-up drug remternetug has the potential to become the next-generation Alzheimer's treatment, administered via subcutaneous injection rather than intravenous infusion, potentially addressing some of Kisunla's shortcomings. Early data suggest that remternetug may rapidly clear amyloid plaques, but final Phase III results have not yet been released.

Eli Lilly is also studying whether remternetug can prevent the onset of disease in people carrying rare genetic mutations for Alzheimer's. Previously, research on another anti-amyloid drug,gantenerumab,showed that in the subgroup of 22 patients treated for the longest duration, treatment reduced the risk of symptom onset from nearly 100% to about 50%. Based on this,the remternetug trialis now enrolling participants as young as 18 years old.