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Product Launch Tracker: HCPs excited about the new wave of oncology therapies for patients

17.03.2025 | Tracker

Product Launch Tracker: HCPs excited about the new wave of oncology therapies for patients

CREATION.co identified 8,501 HCP mentions on social media of launches and approvals of new products, between November 2024 and February 2025, an increase of approximately 26% compared to the previous quarter. 

Two key themes emerged in the online HCP conversation:

  1. HCPs reacted to the wave of new approvals in the oncology space.
  2. HCPs posted about the label expansions of obesity and diabetes drugs for additional indication

 

 

1. HCPs reacted to the wave of new approvals in the oncology space

1.1 Leukaemia

On 15 November, Syndax Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for revumenib (Revuforj) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukaemia with a KMT2A translocation. 94 HCPs in 127 posts shared about the approval on social media. Leukaemia and palliative care doctor, Thomas LeBlanc highlighted that revumenib was the “first-in-class menin inhibitor in #AML” while recognising how this was “big news” for leukaemia patients and the wider community.

Leukaemia physician Ghayas Issa also expressed his joy about the news, stating that “menin inhibition is a standard of care!”  Furthermore, Issa highlighted that he was “so happy to see that the benefit witnessed in patients on study is leading to a medicine to all who need it.” This post was amplified by 16 HCPs and garnered 51,950 impressions. 

 

1.2 Lung Cancer

On 4 December, the FDA approved AstraZeneca’s durvalumab (Imfinzi) for the treatment of adult patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) based on the ADRIATIC trial results. In 129 posts, 101 HCPs discussed the approval and were keen for patients to gain access to the treatment.

Thoracic Oncologist Aakash Desai noted that “this approval marks an important step forward for patients with limited-stage SCLC!” In response to this post, another Thoracic Oncologist, Ivy Riano, shared her excitement, stating that she had ordered durvalumab for two of her patients.

Thoracic Oncologist Jarushka Naidoo also shared the news and highlighted that durvalumab is currently available for patients in Ireland through the Early Access Program (EAP).  

1.3 Colorectal Cancer

In December, the FDA also granted accelerated approval for Pfizer’s encorafenib in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 for the treatment of colorectal cancer patients with a BRAF V600E mutation. 90 HCPs in 110 posts shared about the approval in parallel with the BREAKWATER phase III trial results. GI Medical Oncologist, Alfonso De Stefano, acknowledged the approval as a “historic milestone.” Following the BREAKWATER data readout at ASCO GI 2025, Medical Oncologist, Evelyn Wong, posted about the trial results and highlighted that the recent approval was a new standard of care.

As Pfizer’s encorafenib in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 is the first treatment currently available for colorectal cancer patients with the BRAF V600E mutation, haematologist-oncologist, Udhayvir Grewal, posted about the approval but nonetheless recognised that there is “a huge unmet need for better therapies in this group of patients.” Therefore, while welcoming the approval, Grewal also acknowledged the need for further innovation in this space.

1.4 Breast Cancer

On 27 December, HCPs posted about the approval of Dato-DXd (Datroway), AstraZeneca’s and Daiichi Sankyo’s novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC), in Japan. While sharing the news, Medical Oncologist Paolo Tarantino anticipated the FDA to approve Dato-DXd in January. 

On 17 January, the FDA approved Dato-DXd causing HCP conversation around the product to spike once again. Following the FDA’s decision to approve Dato-DXd, Paolo Tarantino subsequently posted a thread on X educating his followers about the new ADC with 10 facts about Dato-DXd.

In February, Medical Oncologist Yakup Ergün reignited the conversation around the approval of Dato-DXd. Reflecting on the results of TROPION-Breast 01, which the FDA based its decision on, Ergün highlighted that Dato-DXd showed “no difference in OS compared to TPC”, the comparator. Consequently, Ergün stated “if PFS alone is enough for approval, does this mean OS is becoming less relevant?” In response to the post, Medical Oncologist Bijoy Telivala stated “I personally don’t see a big use of it at this time”, suggesting that progression free survival alone is sufficient for approvals rather than waiting for mature overall survival data.

With the oncology treatment landscape rapidly evolving, HCPs used social media to share and welcome recent approval announcements. HCPs often shared trial results which the approvals were based on and expressed their excitement for their patients, now able to access these new treatments.

2. HCPs posted about the label expansions of obesity and diabetes drugs for additional indications.

2.1 Zepbound

HCP online conversation around approvals spiked on 20 December following the FDA’s decision to approve Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (Tirzepatide) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in adults with obesity. 235 HCPs posted 267 times about the label expansion news. Cardiologist, Mohammed Alo shared the news and highlighted the benefits of the drug, particularly in reducing cardiovascular risks. This post was shared by 29 HCPs and garnered over 50,000 views. 

In addition to posting about the approval, Almudena Castro Conde, a Cardiologist from Spain, voiced hope that the European Medicines Agency would follow the FDA’s lead in approving Zepbound for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Six HCPs amplified this post underscoring a desire for Zepbound’s label expansion to be approved beyond the US.

2.2 Ozempic

Online HCP conversation around approvals spiked again on 28 January as HCPs discussed the FDA’s label expansion of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). 163 HCPs mentioned the approval in 192 posts. 

Michael Albert, a physician specialising in Obesity & Cardiometabolic Medicine, celebrated the label expansion as “a major win for patients, providers, and the future of diabetes management!” This post was shared 31 times by HCPs and garnered a total of 62,000 views. Similar sentiment was shared by Melina Manolas, a hepato-endocrinologist, who affirmed the approval as a “HUGE WIN for our patients.” 

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

  1. An FDA press release announcing the approval of Zepbound (tirzepatide) for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – 171 HCP posts gaining 1,504,514 impressions.
  2. A CNBC news article about the FDA’s label expansion of Ozempic to treat chronic kidney disease in those with diabetes – 67 HCP posts gaining 298,495 impressions.
  3. An FDA press release announcing the approval of revumenib for relapsed or refractory acute leukaemia with a KMT2A translocation  – 59 HCP posts gaining 167,579 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 November and 28 February 2024.  
  • 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 November and 28 February 2024, 4,271 online HCPs worldwide made 8,501 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.

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