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Product Launch Tracker: HCPs celebrate momentous approvals in the rare disease space

11.06.2025 | Insight

Product Launch Tracker: HCPs celebrate momentous approvals in the rare disease space

Between March and May 2025, CREATION.co analysed 6,698 mentions of launches and approvals of new products by 3,104 HCPs on public social media.

Two key themes emerged in the online HCP conversation:

  1. HCPs reacted positively to recent approvals in the rare disease space.
  2. HCPs shared updates about approvals in the oncology sphere.

  1. HCPs reacted positively to recent approvals in the rare disease space.

1.1 Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM)

On 20 March, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announced the FDA’s approval of vutrisiran (Amvuttra) for the treatment of adults with ATTR-CM, a rare heart condition. 60 HCPs in 72 posts shared about the approval on social media. Cardiologist and Amyloidosis Specialist, Ronald Witteles celebrated the approval milestone as “a monumental day for the #ATTR #amyloidosis field” and referenced the  “landmark #HELIOS-B trial” in spurring on this development. Witteles’ post was reposted 22 times by other HCPs and generated over 180,000 impressions on X.

In response to the approval, Cardiologist Michelle Kittleson posted a poll asking her peers what their ‘go-to regimen for ATTR-CM’ would be and whether they opt for single therapy or combination therapy. HCPs responded to the post acknowledging cost and reimbursement as a factor in guiding their treatment decisions. Cardiologist Seoung-Mann Sou noted that “reimbursement is very complicated” and suggested that reimbursement for combination therapy would be “impossible.” Cardiologist Dmitry Abramov acknowledged the “astronomical cost of dual therapy” but reflected that with “cost aside, both should probably be used.”  

The unprompted social media conversations among HCPs reveal important concerns that may hinder HCP willingness to adopt new treatments. By detecting these signals early on, pharmaceutical companies can work to address these concerns and ensure greater access to their treatments.

1.2 C3 glomerulopathy (C3G)

Additionally on 20 March, Novartis received an FDA approval for iptacopan (Fabhalta) for C3 glomerulopathy, a rare kidney disease. In 40 posts, 38 HCPs welcomed the approval and recognised it as the first approved treatment for C3 glomerulopathy.

Nephrologist Shikha Wadhwani expressed her excitement about the news stating “this is HUGE!! First ever FDA-approved drug for #C3G.” Wadhwani’s post was amplified 4 times by other HCPs and garnered over 23k impressions. Nephrologist Victor Lopez Baez also celebrated the approval as “great news for C3G patients.”

1.3 Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL)

On 14 May, the FDA approved Merck & Co’s belzutifan (Welireg) for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). This marked the first oral therapy to be approved for this rare tumor condition. 

41 HCPs in 48 posts shared about the approval and highlighted the LITESPARK-015 results, which the approval was based upon. For example, GI Medical Oncologist, Ilyas Sahin shared about the approval and highlighted the efficacy of the belzutifan noting that “in the trial, 26% had tumor shrinkage and some needed less blood pressure medication.” Likewise, Endocrinologist Michael Weintraub discussed the benefits of the drug and considered LITESPARK-015 a “pivotal trial.” Weintraub’s post was reposted 5 times by other HCPs and garnered 77k impressions.

 

       2. HCPs shared updates about approvals in the oncology sphere.

2.1 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC)

HCP online conversation around approvals spiked on 28 March following the FDA’s approval of AstraZeneca’s durvalumab (Imfinzi) for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. 70 HCPs posted 95 times about the approval news. Medical Oncologist, Yüksel Ürün highlighted that the approval was a “big win for bladder cancer care!” This post was shared by 17 other HCPs and received 269k impressions.

Many HCPs discussing this approval noted that the approval was based on the NIAGARA trial results. Surgeon, Ashish M. Kamat congratulated his HCP peers for their contributions that led to this development. Kamat’s post was reposted 7 times and received 72k impressions.

2.2 Colorectal Cancer and Hepatocellular Cancer 

Across the study period, 100 HCPs in 149 posts discussed various approvals relating to Bristol Myers Squibb’s combination of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) for colorectal cancer and hepatocellular cancer. Firstly, on 4 March, HCPs reacted to the EMA’s approval of the combination therapy for hepatocellular cancer. Clinician Scientist Arndt Vogel expressed that it was “amazing” that the approval in Europe was granted before the FDA approved it. Vogel’s post was shared 19 times by other HCPs and generated 139k impressions.

On 8 April, HCPs reacted to the FDA approval of nivolumab and ipilimumab for colorectal cancer. Once again, Vogel shared the approval news and emphasised that the approval was based on the “impressive efficacy” of the CHECKMATE-8HW trial. This post was shared by 17 other HCPs and generated 114k impressions.

Shortly after, on 11 April, the FDA approved the combination treatment in the US for hepatocellular cancer. This followed one month after the EMA approved it in Europe. Physician Scientist, Mark Yarchoan celebrated the news and responded to a comment on his post stating that he would prefer first-line “ipi/nivo for pts who need a response asap” but would consider other approved options for elderly patients with hepatocellular cancer. The social media conversations of HCPs provide insight into the complexity involved in the treatment decision process of HCPs.

2.3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

On 14 May, HCPs welcomed the FDA’s accelerated approval of AbbVie’s Telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso-V) for second-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. In 90 posts, 56 HCPs shared about the approval on social media. Medical Oncologist, Hidehito Horinouchi was quick to share the news on social media. 5 HCPs amplified his post, which received 65,000 impressions. 

Reacting to the approval, Thoracic Oncologist, Aakash Desai posted about clinical benefits of telisotuzumab vedotin and highlighted how “another ADC joins #lcsm toolkit!” This post was reposted by 5 other HCPs and generated 30,000 impressions. As HCPs share approval news, other HCP peers are able to stay informed about rapidly evolving treatment landscapes and aware of newly available therapies.

The three most shared stories from HCPs discussing product launches were:

  1. An FDA press release announcing the approval of durvalumab for muscle invasive bladder cancer – 44 HCP posts gaining 225,244 impressions.
  2. A GlobeNewswire press release about the FDA’s approval of iptacopan for C3 glomerulopathy – 41 HCP posts gaining 92,400 impressions.
  3. An FDA press release announcing the approval of nivolumab with ipilimumab for colorectal cancer  – 26 HCP posts gaining 80,003 impressions.

Each quarter, CREATION.co tracks the HCP conversation relating to new product launches.

You can keep up to date with this and a variety of other topics including virtual congress, healthcare changes since the pandemic, product development and therapy area-specific insights within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights. 

To stay up to date, you can sign up to CREATION.co’s monthly eJournal.

Methodology

  • CREATION Pinpoint® listened to the discussions amongst online HCPs of pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals between 1 March and 31 May 2025.  
  • The data included mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, NICE, and CHMP, as well as HCPs’ use of the phrase ‘drug approval’ in their posts.
  • Between 1 March and 31 May 2025, 3,104 online HCPs worldwide made 6,698 references to new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals. 

 

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Meet the Author

Jessica Fernandes

After attaining a 1st class degree in Theology from Durham University, Jessica returned to Kent to join the graduate programme here at CREATION.co. She uses her research and analytical skills to inform health strategy and serve clients.

Outside of work, Jessica loves to travel and visit historical landmarks. She also enjoys mini-golf and going out for brunch with friends and family.