Innovation plays an important role in advancing medical treatments and transforming health care. New research leads to the discovery and development of new therapies and treatments that can expand options for patients, help improve health outcomes, and shape what standard care looks like in the years ahead.
CVS Caremark’s Clinical Pipeline Services team — licensed clinical pharmacists and analysts — monitor emerging therapies and the broader implications they may have for care. Their recently published Q1 Drugs to Watch Report highlights notable advancements in treatment options and drug delivery formats, including:
- First targeted oral treatment option for a specific mutation in breast cancer
- First oral formulation for emergency allergy care
- Expanded options in weight management
- Less frequent dosing for chronic conditions, including diabetes
The following provides a closer look at each drug: what it is, why it matters, and how it could expand treatment options for patients.
Camizestrant and the rise of targeted breast cancer care
Camizestrant is an oral breast cancer treatment and is expected to be the first targeted option used immediately upon detection of an ESR1 mutation in patients. It is intended to be used in combination with other cancer treatments. The FDA has given it a “Breakthrough Therapy” designation, which helps speed development and review of promising treatment options.
The bigger story for consumers is the steady move toward more personalized cancer care, where treatments are better matched to specific characteristics of a person’s cancer. Over time, this could lead to more tailored options and new conversations with care teams about whether targeted therapies may be appropriate.
Status: Pending FDA approval 1/15/2026.
Anaphylm and new oral formulations for emergency allergy care
Anaphylm could become the first oral epinephrine formulation in emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in patients weighing 30 kg or more. This advancement stands out because emergency treatment is a category where ease of use and readiness really matter.
A needle-free option may be more comfortable for some people while supporting the same goal: having epinephrine available and ready to use in an emergency. If approved, it could also broaden the range of options patients and providers consider when planning for emergency allergy care.
Status: Pending FDA approval 1/31/2026.
Orforglipron and the next phase of oral obesity treatment
Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 therapy for obesity and may become the second oral option in a category still largely defined by injectable treatments.
For consumers, the meaningful shift here is choice: An oral option could make this type of treatment feel more approachable for some people who are hesitant about injections. It also signals continued momentum in weight-management innovation. It may influence how patients and providers think about treatment plans over time as the range of options expands.
Status: Pending FDA approval; anticipated March 2026.
Awiqli and less frequent dosing in diabetes care
Awiqli, an insulin medication, is being reviewed for type 2 diabetes and would be the first once-weekly, long-acting insulin option. Many long-acting insulin options are taken once a day, so a once-weekly option would be a meaningful shift in dosing frequency.
For consumers, fewer dosing days could make treatment feel simpler to manage — especially for people juggling multiple medications or busy schedules. If approved, it would be another example of innovation aimed at making chronic care easier to manage, while still requiring patients to follow their provider’s guidance.
Status: Pending FDA approval 3/29/2026.
What these four drugs suggest about treatment options in 2026
These four pipeline drugs point to a simple takeaway: New innovation is expanding treatment options across major areas of care, from weight management and diabetes to cancer treatment and emergency allergy care. As new options become available, patients and providers may have more choices to discuss, including new ways to take medications, less frequent dosing schedules, and more targeted approaches for specific patient subgroups.
The impact won’t be the same in every clinical area, and coverage can vary by plan, but a larger set of choices can change the conversation about what’s possible, potentially expanding access and bringing down prices. CVS Caremark’s Clinical Pipeline Services team will continue tracking what’s next so members can stay informed as new therapies move closer to approval.
If you’re currently managing one of these conditions, the most helpful step is often to stay curious and talk with your provider about how the treatment landscape is changing, and what options may be appropriate for you as they become available.
This article contains references to brand-name prescription drugs that are trademarks or registered trademarks of pharmaceutical manufacturers not affiliated with CVS Caremark.
