If you're wondering which therapies may influence care delivery, budgets, and decision making in 2026, the pipeline offers an early preview and it points to a year defined by innovation. We're seeing new first in class treatments, thoughtful next generation agents, and a biosimilar market where fewer launches are offset by important competitive shifts driven by recent approvals. John Schoen and Heather Pace from the Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence join Stacy Lauderdale, Associate Vice President of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information and your Verified RX program host to highlight pipeline agents worth watching and discuss what they may mean for care delivery and spend management in the year ahead.   Guest speakers:  John Schoen, PharmD, BCPS   Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information    Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence    Heather Pace, PharmD Senior Clinical Manager of Drug Information    Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence      Host:   Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCPS   Associate Vice President  Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence   Show Notes: 01:01 — Episode Scope The focus is non-CGT therapies; CGT pipeline will be covered in Part 2. 01:50 — Therapeutic Areas With the Most Approvals Oncology leads the pipeline. Others include infectious disease, neurology, rare disease, endocrine, hepatology, dermatology, and rheumatology. 02:37 — Biosimilars in 2026: Momentum or Headwinds? Discussion of potential “biosimilar void”—only 10% of expiring biologic patents have biosimilars in development. Emerging role of PBM private-label biosimilars. 03:51 — FDA Draft Guidance on Interchangeability FDA exploring interchangeable designation for all biosimilars. Potential shift away from clinical efficacy studies in favor of analytical comparisons. Guidance still in draft and open for public comment. 05:34 — John’s Top Picks for First-in-Class Agents 06:11 — Orviglance First manganese-based, oral MRI contrast agent. Advantages for patients with kidney impairment. Used for liver imaging. 06:20 — Why Non-Gadolinium Matters Lower risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. 06:46 — Tabelecleucel First allogeneic EBV-specific T-cell therapy. For EBV-positive PTLD post-transplant. Could become new standard of care. 07:42 — Tanruprubart First therapy specifically for severe Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Shows improved outcomes over IVIG and plasma exchange. 08:20 — Comparing to Standard of Care Review of improved real-world data outcomes. 09:03 — Therapies That May Shift Care Delivery 09:32 — Icotrokinra: First oral IL-23 antagonist for plaque psoriasis. 10:00 — Insulin Icodec First once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 diabetes. Resubmitted after safety concerns in type 1 diabetes. 10:59 — Honorable Mentions Camizestrant SERD for ER+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer. Ensitrelvir (COVID-19) Oral option for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Also being evaluated for treatment. Doravirine + Islatravir (HIV) Introduces new NRTTI class. Cefepime + Zidebactam Active against metallo-β-lactamase–producing organisms. 14:05 — Key Biosimilar Launches Omalizumab (Xolair) First biosimilars in asthma/allergy space. Aflibercept (Eylea) High competition expected pending litigation. Pertuzumab (Perjeta) First biosimilar anticipated in oncology. 15:31 — Biosimilars Approved in 2025, Impacting 2026 Ustekinumab (Stelara): first full year of competition Denosumab (Prolia/Xgeva): 10–15 biosimilars expected Eculizumab (Soliris): notable for rare disease market entry 17:17 — John’s Closing Thoughts Strong mix of first-in-class advances and next-gen convenience therapies. 17:36 — Heather’s Closing Thoughts 2026 will focus on speed and scale after the 2025 biosimilar wave. Pharmacists pivotal in ensuring smooth patient transitions.   VerifiedRx Listener Feedback Survey: We would love to hear from you - Please click here   Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS Feed