California Pharmacist Vol. 73, No. 3 SUMMER 2026 - Magazine - Page 37
Oncology
Veppanu (vepdegestrant)
Vepdegestrant is the 昀椀rst-and-only
FDA-approved proteolysis targeting
chimera (PROTAC), a type of heterobifunctional protein degrader,
indicated for ER+/HER2–, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast
cancer, where treatment resistance
remains a major clinical challenge.
Arvinas
P昀椀zer
5/1/2026
Oncology
Beqalzi (sonrotoclax)
Sonrotoclax is the 昀椀rst FDA-approved B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2)
inhibitor for treatment of adults with
relapsed or refractory mantle cell
lymphoma who have received at
least 2 prior systemic treatments,
including a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase
(BTK) inhibitor. Designed to enhance
BCL2 inhibition, sonrotoclax demonstrates increased potency, improved
selectivity, and favorable pharmacologic pro昀椀le. Sonrotoclax o昀昀ers the
potential to improve e昀케cacy, tolerability, and ease of use over other
agents in its class.
BeOne Medicines
5/13/2026
Cardiovascular
Baxfendy (baxdrostat)
Baxdrostat is the 昀椀rst FDA-approved
aldosterone synthase inhibitor (ASI)
indicated for adults with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension
in combination with other antihypertensive medications. The 昀椀rstin-class ASI, baxdrostat selectively
targets and suppress aldosterone
production in the adrenal gland
without a昀昀ecting cortisol levels
across a wide range of doses.
AstraZeneca
5/15/2026
Infectious Disease
Hepcludex (bulevirtide-gmod)
Bulevirtide-gmod is the 昀椀rst and
only FDA-approved antiviral therapy for adults with chronic hepatitis
delta virus (HDV) infection in adults
without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. Bulevirtide-gmod is
the 昀椀rst-in-class viral entry inhibitor;
it binds to and blocks the sodium
taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) receptor on the
surface of liver cells. This prevents
HDV from entering and infecting the
cells. The FDA-granted approval is
based on the evidence of HDV RNA
level reduction and ALT level normalization. Bulevirtide-gmod o昀昀ers
therapy for this disease, which has
limited treatment options and high
unmet need
.
Gilead
5/22/2026
California Pharmacist | vol. 73, no. 3
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