A series of significant medical and pharmaceutical breakthroughs marked 2024. Continuing progress in the research of new drugs for chronic and serious diseases, alongside innovative medical technologies optimizing diagnosis and quality of life, 2025 brings additional scientific gifts. Obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, common malignancies, vaccinations, and chronic pain are under the microscope of researchers and companies aiming to find new therapeutic solutions.

Weight Loss

Weight-loss drugs are at the forefront of pharmaceutical research as companies race to discover newer, more effective medications compared to the famous GLP-1 agonists currently available. Following the enormous success of the “miracle” semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), 2025 is expected to bring further results in the new wave of obesity treatments.

Researchers at Eli Lilly’s laboratories will continue their intensive trials in 2025 on the triple-action drug with the active ingredient retatrutide. During Phase 2 trials, the drug demonstrated unprecedented effectiveness, with individuals receiving the highest dose achieving a 24.2% weight loss in 11 months (current available drugs yield about 15%-20% weight loss in a similar timeframe). According to reports, retatrutide blocks three different peptide receptors (hormone production centers) that contribute to the body’s tendency to store fat.

To understand the expectations surrounding retatrutide, it’s worth noting how existing drugs for weight loss or type 2 diabetes work. Well-known medications like Ozempic and Wegovy mimic an intestinal hormone called GLP-1, which helps release insulin while sending satiety signals to the brain, making patients feel less hungry.

These drugs also delay stomach emptying, slowing the process by which food moves from the stomach to the small intestine.

Mounjaro (active ingredient tirzepatide), another Eli Lilly drug, is unique among the GLP-1 family because it also targets the GIP polypeptide receptor, another hormone involved in insulin secretion. This dual action, as demonstrated in clinical trials, leads to even greater weight loss and better blood sugar control. Notably, individuals receiving the highest dose of Mounjaro lost nearly 21% of their body weight, on average, within 18 months. By comparison, those on the highest dose of Wegovy lost about 15% during the same period.

It’s worth mentioning that Mounjaro, the latest weight-loss medication approved by European regulators, has been available on the Greek market since November 15. However, it is not reimbursed by the state and costs €253.05 per month. For context, tirzepatide was first introduced in the U.S. in June 2022, followed six months later by Switzerland, and a year later by the UK.

Retatrutide, in addition to GLP-1 and GIP receptors, also acts on the glucagon receptor. This triple activation, as demonstrated in clinical trials, may lead to significant weight loss.

Meanwhile, Eli Lilly is expected to complete a Phase 3 clinical trial for the oral pill orforglipron in the coming months, assessing its long-term safety in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The drug appears easier to produce and likely more affordable than current treatments.

Moreover, Eli Lilly recently announced U.S. approval for another medication containing tirzepatide (similar to Mounjaro) as the first prescription treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea and obesity. Known as Zepbound, the drug was about five times more effective than placebo in reducing breathing disorders in adults not using airway pressure devices. Simultaneously, patients receiving the drug lost an average of 18% of their body weight.

Pharmaceutical giants are working feverishly to discover newer obesity drugs. By 2030, a revolution in this field is anticipated. Among others, the American company Viking Therapeutics is developing an obesity treatment under the code VK2735, designed to target four centers in the human body, going a step beyond retatrutide.

Dementia

A major challenge for the scientific community is the approval and release of new, effective drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Innovation in combating this neurodegenerative condition seems to have stagnated for years, leaving patients with the same… arsenal of treatments.

Nevertheless, significant developments from clinical trials are expected next year. Two monoclonal antibodies, lecanemab and donanemab, have been approved for use in the UK, with final decisions from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) anticipated in February and March 2025. Both drugs have already received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals with mild Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs are designed to target amyloid plaques involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, the drug remternetug is currently in Phase 3 trials to evaluate its effectiveness in patients with mild Alzheimer’s. The trial is expected to conclude in 2025. Remternetug stands out due to its potential for subcutaneous administration, which could improve patient compliance.

Another drug targeting amyloid proteins, buntanetap, is also entering Phase 3 trials after encouraging results in earlier studies. It aims to reduce levels of the amyloid precursor protein and has shown improvements in cognitive performance among participants in early-stage Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, the well-known semaglutide used in diabetes is being explored for potential benefits in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Another drug initially developed as a potential cancer therapy—saracatinib—is now being tested for Alzheimer’s.

Meanwhile, last year, Swedish researchers made significant strides in Alzheimer’s diagnostics, highlighting the availability of a blood test called PrecivityAD2, which demonstrated 90% accuracy in detecting early-stage neurodegenerative disease.

The PrecivityAD2 test, developed by C2N Diagnostics, is already available for clinical use, allowing the company to market the test without FDA approval. This means that while not FDA-approved, it can be performed in certified labs and is already used in clinical settings to aid diagnosis. Currently, the approval timeline remains uncertain, with a focus on expanding access and securing insurance coverage for the existing test.

Another diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s, however, may receive approval by the end of next year.

The Roche Elecsys pTau217 test, which has received “breakthrough device” designation from the FDA, measures the protein pTau217 in plasma, serving as a biomarker for amyloidosis associated with Alzheimer’s. If clinical trials progress successfully, FDA approval may be expected within the next two years, possibly by late 2025 or early 2026.

Cancer

The upcoming year also holds great promise in oncology, as new therapies are expected to… personalize treatment approaches for cancer patients.

• Ivonescimab: A groundbreaking bispecific monoclonal antibody designed for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer. When combined with chemotherapy, it showed effectiveness in individuals whose disease had worsened.
• Dato-DXd and Inavolisib: Additional treatments that are expected to enhance recovery options for various tumor types.
• Enhertu: A currently established therapy that is set to expand its indications for multiple applications.

Vaccines

Several RNA-based drugs are expected to hit the market in 2025, including a new product for familial chylomicronemia syndrome from Ionis and Arrowhead. Additionally, Sanofi’s fitusiran for hemophilia and Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine represent further achievements using innovative pandemic-era technology. These two breakthroughs may earn first-in-class approvals in highly competitive therapeutic categories, with clinical differentiation supporting massive revenue forecasts.

Specifically, the mRNA vaccine involves a dual shot for coronavirus and seasonal flu. In June, Moderna published Phase 3 clinical trial results showing that mRNA-1083 elicited a robust immune response against both COVID-19 and influenza. With these results and considering Pfizer/BioNTech’s challenges in developing a similar vaccine, Moderna remains the sole company to publish positive Phase 3 results for a combined coronavirus-flu vaccine.

Chronic Pain

2025 could mark a turning point in pain management. U.S. regulators are expected to complete their review of a non-opioid analgesic, suzetrigine, in January. If approved, this drug, developed by Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals, will represent the first new category of acute pain medication in more than 20 years.

A few days ago, the company announced promising Phase 2 results for sciatica. Earlier this year, Vertex launched a pivotal suzetrigine program for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (or diabetic foot). Additionally, suzetrigine is under FDA review for treating moderate to severe acute pain. The agency granted priority review status and set the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) deadline for January 30, 2025.