• Key movers include Novo Nordisk, Moderna and Argenx

• Johnson & Johnson claims top place in Invention, reflecting its remarkable achievements in 2023

• Top 10 for both Invention and Innovation Indices remain similar to previous years, demonstrating the continued outstanding performance from mainstay companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer

Thursday 16th May, 18:40 BST, London, UK – The 13th annual Pharmaceutical Innovation and Invention Index (PIII), published by IDEA Pharma today, sees Novo Nordisk take the acclaimed number one spot on the Innovation Index and Johnson & Johnson leading on the Invention Index. Novo Nordisk’s performance also shows an 18-place climb from 2023 to reach the top spot, the greatest ascent of all companies in the Innovation Index and reflects the company’s dominance in the diabetes and obesity care space. Other key movers include Argenx and Moderna who both jumped 15 places in the Innovation and Invention Indices respectively.

PIII has consistently asked the question over the last 13 years, who in the pharmaceutical industry is at the forefront of innovation and what are they doing to achieve this? It is also predicated on the provocative question, “If two pharmaceutical companies were given the same molecule in early phase, which of the two would be better in developing and launching it?” IDEA Pharma prides itself on searching out these types of questions and ensuring industry-wide learning from the answers.

Novo Nordisk’s achievements this year are heavily attributed to the blockbuster success of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), which contributed 90% of total sales for Novo Nordisk. The innovative treatment is benefitting over 40 million people globally who live with obesity.

Beyond the demand of semaglutide, Novo Nordisk focused its efforts on progressing other novel therapies, including the company’s first-ever RNA interference-derived therapy, Rivfloza (nedosiran) which received approval.

Across Novo Nordisk’s pipeline, multiple products advanced to Phase 3, including a next-generation bispecific antibody for hemophilia (Mim8), a pyruvate kinase activator for sickle cell disease (etavopivat) and CagriSema (cagrilintide and semaglutide combination) for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, which should further strengthen its pipeline and portfolio of products for years to come.

"We are honored to receive this recognition, which underscores our enduring commitment to improving lives and health through scientific ingenuity,"

said Anna Windle, PhD, Senior Vice President, NAO Clinical Development, Medical & Regulatory Affairs at Novo Nordisk Inc.

"For over a century, we've pioneered new approaches in diabetes care, and now we have the privilege to drive change for people living with other serious chronic diseases like obesity, rare diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. We take great pride in being at the forefront of research and driving scientific knowledge in our core areas to benefit the communities we serve.”

Johnson & Johnson’s performance on the invention index reflects the company’s impressive growth since 2023 - 63% increase in revenue and a 29.8% rise in R&D spending. The company secured notable approvals, including Talvey (talquetamab) for relapsed multiple myeloma and Akeega (niraparib and abiraterone acetate), the first-and-only dual action tablet combining a PARP inhibitor with abiraterone acetate for BRCA+ metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Johnson & Johnson rounded off 2023 with 19 US and EU fillings, to lay foundations for a fruitful 2024.

“Johnson & Johnson is leading where medicine is going by translating novel concepts into differentiated and transformational products,”

said Richard Tillyer, Ph.D., Global Head, Discovery, Product Development & Supply, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine.

“We begin therapeutic invention with the end in mind, addressing unmet patient needs and harnessing science to solve challenges that others believe are impossible. Invention thrives at Johnson & Johnson thanks to our world-class talent and expansive toolkit of modalities, spanning small molecules, biologics and cell and genomic therapies.”

“The results of the 2024 Index reflect the continued outstanding performance across the industry, in particular those in the top 10 Invention and Innovation Indices, which remains similar year on year. This year sees Johnson & Johnson continued commitment to quality rewarded with first place in Invention. This consistent excellence was demonstrated by the industry’s ability to rapidly see and capture the opportunity of the pandemic, an old skill the companies had honed.”

Noted IDEA Pharma’s CEO, Mike Rea.

“The most significant change this year is Novo Nordisk at number one for Innovation for the first time, another illustration of an old invention yielding huge value after a long, steadfast application of time and development budgets. Novo Nordisk’s performance, may have successfully dispelled the myth that there is no more room for blockbuster drugs.”

Of the key movers within the Indices, Argenx continues as a rising star in innovation. First included in the Innovation Index in 2022, the company jumped 15 places this year, despite operating at a loss, reflecting its pipeline investment and the increased reach and optionality of Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa), a first-in-class neonatal Fc receptor blocker for generalized myasthenia gravis. Moderna soared 15 places in the Invention Index, achieving remarkable milestones across multiple fronts and reaffirming its leadership in mRNA medicine.

Full results from the Innovation and Invention Index and whitepaper can be found at www.ideapharma.com/pii.

About the Pharmaceutical Innovation Index

The Pharmaceutical Innovation Index seeks to answer the provocative question, ‘If two pharma companies were given the same molecule in early phase, which of the two would be better in developing and launching it?” The Innovation Index ranks companies utilizing a range of clinical, regulatory, and commercial metrics, ranging from the corporate level down to individual product decisions and outcomes.

This 13th annual Index provides a systematic and objective assessment of how well the top 30 companies perform in bringing new medicines to market and commercializing them successfully.

About the Pharmaceutical Invention Index

Released for the first time in 2019 and now in its sixth year, the Pharmaceutical Invention Index examines pipeline invention and novelty by taking a focused look at the breadth and depth of novel agents currently being developed within the top 30 pharma pipelines. The Invention Index provides a more forward-looking view of who is developing medicines that matter, embracing science and innovations in R&D.

About IDEA Pharma

IDEA Pharma is a global practice, recognised as the leading experts in pharmaceutical innovation, path-to-market strategy, and applied innovation. IDEA Pharma is based in both the UK and US with offices in London and New York. To learn more about IDEA Pharma, visit https://www.ideapharma.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, or search ‘Pharmaceutical Innovation and Invention’

Contact:

For all Media Enquires please contact:

Lizzi King: lizzi.king@ideapharma.com

Email: info@ideapharma.com