Three therapies across dermatology, weight loss and infectious disease are expected to shape the drug pipeline in 2026.
The outlook comes from a March 9 Optum Rx report, which highlights a broader shift toward oral, more convenient treatments that could improve adherence while noting that some injectable therapies may still offer higher efficacy.
Here are three drugs to watch:
Icotrokinra
An oral interleukin-23 receptor antagonist under review for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. If approved, it would be the first oral therapy in its class. In clinical trials, 55% to 57% of patients achieved significant disease improvement.
Orforglipron
A once-daily oral GLP-1 drug for weight loss that can be taken without food restrictions. It could become the second oral GLP-1 on the market and is expected to compete in a rapidly growing category, with estimated annual costs around $13,000 based on comparable therapies.
Ensitrelvir
An antiviral under review as the first post-exposure preventive treatment for COVID-19. In clinical trials, it reduced the risk of symptomatic infection by 67% when administered within 72 hours of exposure.
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