Editor's corner: Fierce Pharma's top 10 stories of 2022

While Fierce Pharma’s most-visited stories last year centered on the global COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, this year’s batch shows an industry in flux.

In fact, COVID-19 was not a central theme in six of the top 10 stories for 2022. In the year’s biggest story, Pfizer disclosed recalls for blood pressure meds over carcinogen fears. These carcinogen-related recalls have been an ongoing pain point for the industry for years, and Pfizer’s news showed even the industry’s biggest players aren’t immune. 

For stories that did touch on the pandemic, the news wasn’t always positive. In one instance, the Fierce team reported that Pfizer and Moderna were quickly falling out of favor among America’s favorite brands. In another, the FDA blasted Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Ph.D., for prematurely recommending people take a second course of the antiviral Paxlovid if their symptoms return. 

Drug launches are always popular among the Fierce Pharma readership. In this category, Eli Lilly’s approval for Mounjaro stole the show in 2022. After a May approval, the new drug was off and running, setting up an exciting showdown with rival Novo Nordisk. Up next for this drug in 2023 could be an approval in the closely watched obesity indication. 

Another pair of top stories in 2022 captured an ongoing trend for the industry—reorganizations and layoffs. In April, Novartis revealed a major restructuring aimed at cutting $1 billion in annual costs. The details weren’t fully fleshed out when the news broke, but readers took an immediate interest. In all, Novartis is in the process of laying off around 8,000 people, we now know.

Aside from our regular news coverage, our special reports on the top biopharma companies, drug launches and patent losses drove significant reader interest throughout the year, too. 

We thank you for reading as the industry continues navigating the changing business landscape, and we’ll see you back here in 2023.  

Here are Fierce Pharma's top 10 most-read stories in 2022: 

1. Pfizer recalls 2nd blood pressure med in a week, again on potential carcinogen fears 
2. Pfizer and BioNTech go to Hollywood with splashy Oscars sponsorship 
3. FDA rebukes Pfizer CEO's suggestion to take more Paxlovid if COVID-19 symptoms return 
4. Pfizer and Moderna rapidly falling out of favor as Americans' favorite brands: report 
5. Lilly's highly anticipated diabetes drug Mounjaro wins FDA blessing 
6. In major shake-up, Novartis combines pharma and oncology units, leaving 3 top execs without jobs 
7. Novartis confirms 'thousands' of layoffs loom as its global reorganization rolls ahead 
8. Pfizer loses top vaccine scientist Jansen who led drive for COVID-19 shot, searches for successor 
9. Novartis' Netflix moment? Big Pharma launches new on-demand video hub to boost digital engagement with doctors 
10. Seagen CEO's arrest came during a hazy night of booze, sex and alleged violence: police report