Drug Approvals

• Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket are now allowing users to wager money on the outcomes of drug approvals. • Kalshi is further expanding these offerings by planning to enable betting on the specific results of clinical trials. • Experts and reporters, including Rebecca Robbins, warn that financial speculation on medical data could undermine public trust in clinical research.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 22 novel drugs during the first half of 2026, expanding treatment options across various medical specialties. • Key approvals include copper histidinate (formerly CUTX-101) for Menkes disease, supported by two open-label studies involving 129 patients treated with subcutaneous administration for up to 3 years. • The FDA also granted approval for a new treatment targeting mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on phase 3 clinical trial data from both adult and pediatric populations.

• The American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy has outlined the pharmaceutical pipeline for novel drug approvals anticipated between 1Q 2026 and 4Q 2026. • The upcoming pipeline focuses on therapies for rare inherited genetic disorders, immunologic and inflammatory diseases, and advancements in gene therapy and targeted oncology. • This tracking is critical for health-system pharmacists to effectively manage hospital formularies, allocate financial resources, and optimize patient care.