Biopharma chases new immunology targets as Humira and Dupixent set high bar

Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Argenx and several other companies are expanding their immunology pipelines, seeking new targets and improvements to capture part of the market driven by AbbVie’s Humira and Sanofi‑Regeneron’s Dupixent.

Immunology remains one of the hottest therapeutic areas, delivering some of the industry’s biggest franchises. Humira, an anti‑TNF antibody, was the world’s top‑selling drug from 2012 to 2020 and still generated $20.7 billion in sales in 2021 despite losing key patent protection. AbbVie now leans on its broader portfolio, including the IL‑23 blocker Skyrizi and the JAK inhibitor Rinvoq, both strong sellers last year.

Dupixent, an IL‑4Rα blocker from Sanofi and Regeneron, continues to expand its approved uses, covering asthma, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis, underscoring the competitive pressure as firms hunt new immunology opportunities.