UPDATED: Wednesday, April 10 at 6 a.m. ET
The dark horse of the 2024 Fierce Madness Drug Name Tournament dominated the final round to win the championship as AstraZeneca and Ionis’ rare disease drug Wainua stormed to victory against Eli Lilly’s diabetes med Mounjaro.
The winning margin was huge, with Wainua gaining 79% of the vote to Mounjaro’s mere 21%. This is ever the more impressive as Mounjaro has been a dominant force in every round and was expected by our voters, judging by previous comments, to take the overall win.
Wainua, which treats polyneuropathy in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, was only approved in late December, thus barely making it into the tournament at all, given that we only look at drugs from 2022-23. It certainly is “way new.”
“We are honored to have Wainua recognized as the winner and congratulate the collective AstraZeneca and Ionis team who worked on the brand name,” Mina Makar, SVP, Global Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism at AstraZeneca, told Fierce Pharma Marketing.
He added that the drug’s name is indeed pronounced “way-noo-ah,” “which reflects its meaning of 'a new way' for patients with ATTR amyloidosis. The name captures the essence of what our brand stands for and strives to be both memorable and meaningful.”
In the final vote there 273 comments, by far the most from any round, with Mounjaro still getting a lot of love, but just not as much as Wainua.
“I just think Mounjaro rolls off the tongue easily, sounds like there is a lot of opportunity from a marketing perspective,” said one voter. “I also think given the disease state, it’s a clever name. In my mind makes me think of hiking a mountain, accomplishing something big which is exactly what this drug helps someone do.”
But another voter summed up the difference. “[O]f the two, Wainua is shorter (6 letters), has a very positive and clear message of 'a new way' with some associations to 'renewal' when you pronounce it. I really love this name overall, though it was tough...both a great names!”
A big shoutout as well should go to Revance’s Botox rival Daxxify and AstraZeneca’s RSV drug Beyfortus, both of which had a series of strong rounds that dominated their matchups.
AstraZeneca, too, had a drug in each round and of course came out on top with Wainua, making it the most dominant company in this year’s championship.
Thank you to everyone who read our stories, voted, commented and engaged with us. It’s the most fun special report we do each year, but it wouldn’t work without you.
Also, congratulations to Werewolf Therapeutics (another "W," I note), which won the Fierce Biotech Madness Best Biotech Name Tournament.
Meet us again for Madness next March, where we will be seeking out the best pharma drug ad campaigns.
UPDATED: Monday, April 8 at 6 a.m. ET
Vote for your winner here
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED
AstraZeneca’s RSV drug Beyfortus, which had easily beat out each matchup in the previous rounds and believed by this editor to be a shoo-in for the final, is out.
It was in the end slayed by its only other remaining med in the round Wainua, the rare disease therapy co-marketed with Ionis.
It was a close-run thing however: For the first day of voting Beyfortus was in fact leading Wainua by a comfortable 60% to 40% lead, before this was overhauled in the last day of voting as Wainua ended up beating Beyfortus 61% to 39%, the biggest turnaround in this year’s tournament.
Throughout the rounds people loved Beyfortus, likening it to “They fought for us,” and its play on the word “fort” for protection.
Wainua on the other hand has been a dark horse, quietly picking up moderately easy wins each round until really turning the screw to get into the championship final. Voters like the play on “way new” or “way newer.” As one voter wrote: “Wainua – It’s a nua way to stop neuropathy progression. Great name!”
Much less surprising was Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro becoming your other finalist. This drug has been a juggernaut in each round winning by large margins against every rival.
People resonate with its “mountain” touch and possibly more than a little to do with its cultural popularity, facing much the same phenomenon as Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Ozempic.
Both have ingredients that are separately approved to tackle obesity but there has been a strange mix up with these (Zepbound for Lilly and Wegovy for Novo Nordisk) from celebrities and the media, though both diabetes medicines can as a side effect also produce weight loss.
Either way, Mounjaro beat out Acadia’s drug Daybue by 57% to 43%, despite a late spurt of voters coming in at the end of voting Friday for the Rett Syndrome med.
Now it’s over to you for the biggest vote of the round: The championship decider. Will it be the mountain Mounjaro or the way newer Wainua?
Check out the bracket and the finalists below. You can vote here as well as in the link below the bracket. Voting closes at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday. Come back Wednesday morning when your winner will be revealed.
Your Madness finalists:
Mounjaro vs. Wainua
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 3, 8:00 a.m. ET
Vote in the Final Four here until 12 p.m. ET Friday.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.
We are down to the last four and it’s up to you to decide who reaches the final for this year’s Drug Name Tournament.
We saw a big loss in Revance’s Botox challenger Daxxify which had breezed through the previous four rounds but was stopped short of progressing into the Final 4 by Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro.
The drug itself may be in short supply but your votes were not, with Mounjaro comfortably beating out its rival 58% to 42% in the end.
One voter summed up the common theme of how readers felt about the drugs. “Mounjaro: sounds like a [renowned] mountain (e.g. Mt. Kilimanjaro). Climb that mountain and beat diabetes! Daxxify isn't bad either though defy those wrinkles, but also reminds me of Doximity, doxing, so I have to go with Mounjaro.”
AstraZeneca’s juggernaut Beyfortus once again trounced its opposition as the RSV med beat out Pfizer’s COVID treatment Paxlovid by 69% to 31%. AstraZeneca and Ionis pulled the same trick with its rare disease therapy Wainua which also kicked out Pfizer’s final asset Velsipity for colitis 71% to 29%, the biggest winning margin of the round.
“Wainua is a great choice for a name. It makes me think of ‘new way,’” said one voter.
Having won the previous round by a coin toss, Daybue justified its date with lady luck by winning its matchup against J&J’s myeloma med Talvey. “Daybue has greater advertising potential and a hopeful sound,” said one voter. “Talvey is too much like Talz. It sounds like a Scottish word for tantrum. (Don't get into a Talvey about it...)”
You can vote here for your championship finalists here and below, and you can also check out the latest bracket below.
Voting is open until Friday at 12 p.m. ET. Check back here Monday morning for your final vote to find this year’s winner.
Your Final Four challengers:
Mounjaro vs. Daybue
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Daybue
Maker: Acadia
Indication: Rett syndrome
Sounds like: How my five-year-old insists debut is spelled
Beyfortus vs. Wainua
Beyfortus
Makers: AstraZeneca
Indication: To prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease
Sounds like: A medieval stronghold
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer
UPDATED: Monday, April 1 6:00 AM ET
Vote in the Elite 8 Round here
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.
We are tantalizingly close to finding a winner for this year’s Fierce Madness drug naming tournament, and you have been voting in droves to get your winning names into our latest round.
Round 3 was for some a walk in the park but for others, a gruelling and tight contest made up of several razor thin margins.
AstraZeneca’s RSV drug Beyfortus once again had an easy round, producing the biggest winning margin of 75% to just 25% against UCB’s myasthenia gravis treatment Rystiggo.
AstraZeneca also beat itself with an easy win for its hereditary ATTR amyloidosis therapy Wainua, which beat out the U.K. pharma’s cancer drug Truqap by 65% to 35%.
That leaves AZ with two players left in the tournament after its other entrant, liver cancer med Imjudo, lost out to Revance’s Botox challenger Daxxify.
There were two incredibly close matchups that were decided by a hair’s width. This includes Lilly’s diabetes drug Mounjaro, which had seen easy wins in the previous 3 rounds but was pushed right to the edge by Novartis’ cancer drug Pluvicto, with victory for Lilly coming by just three extra votes over its rival.
It was even closer for Acadia’s Daybue for Rett syndrome and Melinta’s candidemia and invasive candidiasis drug Rezzayo, which was exactly 50-50 with the same number of votes at the end of play Friday.
In that case, we flipped a coin: Heads for Daybue and tails for Rezzayo and lady luck was on the side of Daybue, which goes into the Elite 8 by the skin of its teeth.
We have fun with these tournaments but creating new drug names is a minefield of regulations, trademarks, creative battles between clients and agencies, and the need to be recognizable while standing out.
Well, we don’t have the time for all that, so we asked ChatGPT to give us a list of its best new drug names.
They are:
VitaCure
NeuroZenith
CardiaFix
Dermolix
Respigen
OsteoGuard
Immunexa
RenalRestore
PanaceaPrime
PulmoSolve
OncolyteX
GastroShield
EndoCare
MetaboMax
Ophtalix
Dermaglow
NeuroNova
RenovoRx
DigestiCalm
VitaBoost
You can see its thinking. Typically a mix of a biological term and a verb. I can see quite a few would not get through regulatory barriers, and many—CardiaFix, for instance, are a little on the nose.
While I like that they cater for quite a few potential conditions they do have more of an OTC/consumer feel about them. Maybe the drug naming world isn’t quite ready for AI automation; we can keep it to the professionals for now.
Speaking of which, here are your Elite 8 challengers, all made up from the professionals, to decide below.
Remember, you can vote here and check out the latest bracket below and here (PDF).
Voting is open until Tuesday at 6PM ET. Check back here Wednesday morning for your Final Four.
Your Elite 8 challengers:
Mounjaro vs. Daxxify
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Daxxify
Maker: Revance
Indication: The treatment of cervical dystonia and for the temporary improvement of frown lines
Sounds like: A ray gun to make you sassy
Beyfortus vs. Paxlovid
Beyfortus
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: To prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease
Sounds like: A medieval stronghold
Paxlovid
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19
Sounds like: A bizarre Pac-Man sequel
Daybue vs. Talvey
Daybue
Maker: Acadia
Indication: Rett syndrome
Sounds like: How my five-year-old insists debut is spelled
Talvey
Maker: Johnson & Johnson
Indication: Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies
Sounds like: A little too close to talc…
Velsipity vs. Wainua
Velsipity
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults
Sounds like: A deodorant brand you wouldn’t want to buy
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 27 8:00 a.m. ET
Vote in round 3 here until 12 p.m. ET Friday.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED.
Your 32 challengers have been whittled down to your Sweet 16. For some, the battle was over swiftly but for others, it was a photo finish.
Eli Lilly’s diabetes med Mounjaro once again took an easy victory, beating out Bristol Myers Squibb’s heart drug Camzyos by 72% to 28%. One reader found that Mounjaro “Sounds like an actual location/city [whereas] Camzyos is like an esoteric scrabble word.”
Novartis’ prostate cancer therapy Pluvicto also cruised to an easy victory over Chiesi’s alpha-mannosidosis treatment Lamzede. One reader wrote that: “My brain translates it to Pluto + victory. #NeverForgetPlanetPluto,” whereas another thought “Lamzede sounds more like a disease than a treatment.”
It was a similar story for Revance and its Botox challenger Daxxify, kicking Alnylam’s RNA med Amvuttra out of round 2 by the biggest margin of the round, 81% to just 19%.
Things were however a lot closer for Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi and Pfizer’s dermatology treatment Cibinqo. Both had close battles with their respective matchups in round 1 and continued that tight trend into round 2, with Leqembi finally edging out its challenger.
“This one's tough as well since they're both relatively inoffensive,” said one voter. “Leqembi gets the win, though, because 'q' earlier in the word makes it easier to pronounce off the bat.”
It was also a very close call for Melinta’s fungal infection med Rezzayo and Astellas’ new hot flush drug Veozah. Both matchups shared an equal 50-50 share of the vote throughout most the round, but Rezzayo squeaked through by just 11 more votes in the end.
“Rezzayo rolls off the tongue,” wrote one voter, but “Veozah sounds like a Harry Potter spell.”
More linguistic magic awaits. Please vote in our new poll here for the new matchups. You can also check out the new bracket here (PDF) and below.
Remember to add your comments in the voting ballot as you choose your favorites. Voting is open until Friday at 12 p.m. ET. Check back here on Monday morning for your winners that will go through to the next round.
#FierceMadness 2024: The Sweet 16 bracket challengers
Pluvicto vs. Mounjaro
Pluvicto
Maker: Novartis
Indication: Prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer following other therapies
Sounds like: A new planet
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Daxxify vs. Imjudo
Daxxify
Maker: Revance
Indication: The treatment of cervical dystonia and for the temporary improvement of frown lines
Sounds like: A ray gun to make you sassy
Imjudo
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Sounds like: A self-confident martial artist
Rystiggo vs. Beyfortus
Rystiggo
Maker: UCB
Indication: Generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor- or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive
Sounds like: An Italian village
Beyfortus
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: To prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease
Sounds like: A medieval stronghold
Leqembi vs. Paxlovid
Leqembi
Maker: Eisai
Indication: Alzheimer’s disease
Sounds like: An inspirational French aphorism
Paxlovid
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19
Sounds like: A bizarre Pac-Man sequel
Daybue vs. Rezzayo
Daybue
Maker: Acadia
Indication: Rett syndrome
Sounds like: How my five-year-old insists debut is spelled
Rezzayo
Maker: Melinta Therapeutics
Indication: Candidemia and invasive candidiasis
Sounds like: A phrase used when you’ve had a great nap in the day
Talvey vs. Ojjaara
Talvey
Maker: Johnson & Johnson
Indication: Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies
Sounds like: A little too close to talc…
Ojjaara
Maker: GSK
Indication: Intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis in adults with anemia
Sounds like: “What’s my name?”
Velsipity vs. Omvoh
Velsipity
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults
Sounds like: A deodorant brand you wouldn’t want to buy
Omvoh
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Ulcerative colitis
Sounds like: A new age prayer
Truqap vs. Wainua
Truqap
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Breast cancer that meets certain disease criteria
Sounds like: A limit on truth
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer
UPDATED: Monday, March 25 8:00 AM ET
Vote in Round 2 until 6 p.m ET Tuesday here.
VOTING IN ROUND 2 IS NOW CLOSED.
Down to 32. The biggest #FierceMadness voting round is done, and we had some interesting battles to get here, with around half of the tournament’s matchups going down to the wire.
Some of the biggest winners include Eli Lilly’s new diabetes drug Mounjaro, which beat out Phathom’s erosive GERD and helicobacter pylori infection drug Voquenza by a comfortable margin of 59% to 41%.
Readers’ comments, always our favorite part of the tournament, found that “Mounjaro seems like you conquered a mountain,” but that, as one reader put it, “Voquenza is Vo-queasy?”
Also winning by a significant margin was AstraZeneca’s hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, Imjudo, which surpassed Mallinckrodt’s kidney function drug, Terlivaz, with a substantial lead of 73% to 27%, marking the largest winning margin of the round.
AstraZeneca had a good first round, with its Sanofi-partnered RSV med Beyfortus taking out Tarsus’ new Demodex mite treatment Xdemvy by a major 69% to 31%.
One reader said: “Beyfortus makes me think of a fort or a defensive structure,” but “Xdemvy??? [N]o clue. I like Beyfortus better.”
Pfizer likewise had good rounds, with its COVID drug Paxlovid and new dermatology drug Cibinqo going through to the second round.
There were an unusually high number of closer calls that included Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi and Bristol Myers Squibb’s lung cancer drug Krazati, as well as Pfizer’s Cibinqo and TheracosBio’s diabetes treatment Brenzavvy, as both match ups were 50-50 right up until the end of play Friday.
In the end, Leqembi and Cibinqo just pipped their rivals by just a handful of votes.
On to the next round: Please vote in our new poll here, for your new matchups of the remaining 32 drugs. Check out the latest bracket (PDF) here.
Remember to add your comments in the voting ballot as you choose your favorites. Voting is open until Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. Check back here Wednesday morning for your Sweet 16 that will go through to the next round.
Don't forget to also check out Fierce Biotech's 'Best Biotech Name' Madness tournament here.
#FierceMadness 2024: The 32 bracket challengers
Lamzede vs. Pluvicto
Lamzede
Maker: Chiesi
Indication: Non-central nervous system manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis
Sounds like: A vegan meal
Pluvicto
Maker: Novartis
Indication: Prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer following other therapies
Sounds like: A new planet
Camzyos vs. Mounjaro
Camzyos
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Sounds like: A Spanish holiday resort
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Amvuttra vs. Daxxify
Amvuttra
Maker: Alnylam
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A pope’s gift
Daxxify
Maker: Revance
Indication: The treatment of cervical dystonia and for the temporary improvement of frown lines
Sounds like: A ray gun to make you sassy
Sotyktu vs. Imjudo
Sotyktu
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
Sounds like: Gesundheit!
Imjudo
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Sounds like: A self-confident martial artist
Vabysmo vs. Rystiggo
Vabysmo
Maker: Roche
Indication: Neovascular (wet) aged-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema
Sounds like: A new way of saying fantastic
Rystiggo
Maker: UCB
Indication: Generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor- or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive
Sounds like: An Italian village
Beyfortus vs. Tzield
Beyfortus
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: To prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease
Sounds like: A medieval stronghold
Tzield
Maker: Provention Bio
Indication: Delay the onset of stage 3 Type 1 diabetes
Sounds like: An electronic barrier
Leqembi vs. Cibinqo
Leqembi
Maker: Eisai
Indication: Alzheimer’s disease
Sounds like: An inspirational French aphorism
Cibinqo
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis
Sounds like: A game of cheeky bingo
Skyclarys vs. Paxlovid
Skyclarys
Maker: Biogen
Indication: Friedreich’s ataxia
Sounds like: A high-rise building
Paxlovid
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19
Sounds like: A bizarre Pac-Man sequel
Columvi vs. Daybue
Columvi
Maker: Roche
Indication: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, or large B-cell lymphoma arising from follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
Sounds like: An ancient Roman detective
Daybue
Maker: Acadia
Indication: Rett syndrome
Sounds like: How my five-year-old insists debut is spelled
Rezzayo vs. Veozah
Rezzayo
Maker: Melinta Therapeutics
Indication: Candidemia and invasive candidiasi
Sounds like: A phrase used when you’ve had a great nap in the day
Veozah
Maker: Astellas
Indication: Moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause
Sounds like: A Broadway play
Zurzuvae vs. Talvey
Zurzuvae
Makers: Sage/Biogen
Indication: Postpartum depression
Sounds like: A mouthful
Talvey
Maker: Johnson & Johnson
Indication: Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies
Sounds like: A little too close to talc…
Veopoz vs. Ojjaara
Veopoz
Maker: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Patients 1 year old and older with CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy
Sounds like: Double-plus good!
Ojjaara
Maker: GSK
Indication: Intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis in adults with anemia
Sounds like: “What’s my name?”
Pombiliti vs. Velsipity
Pombiliti
Maker: Amicus
Indication: Late-onset Pompe disease
Sounds like: The ability to treat Pompe disease (this feels a little on the nose)
Velsipity
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults
Sounds like: A deodorant brand you wouldn’t want to buy
Omvoh vs. Loqtorzi
Omvoh
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Ulcerative colitis
Sounds like: A new age prayer
Loqtorzi
Maker: Coherus Biosciences
Indication: Recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma when used together with or following other therapies
Sounds like: How you close the door in a magical kingdom
Augtyro vs. Truqap
Augtyro
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Sounds like: A virtual reality game where you’re the bad guy
Truqap
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Breast cancer that meets certain disease criteria
Sounds like: A limit on truth
Quviviq vs. Wainua
Quviviq
Maker: Idorsia
Indication: Insomnia
Sounds like: A producer asking a biotech founder turned politician to get ready for his TV appearance
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer
LAUNCHED: Wednesday, March 20, 7:00 a.m. ET
The 64 bracket poll is now closed.
It’s March, so it’s time for some #FierceMadness. Last year, we channeled the NCAA tournament for the best pharma ad campaigns, but, this year, we’re looking for the best of the best in drug names.
Here’s how it works.
We’ve chosen 64 of the most distinctive drug names to come out of the FDA’s 2022 and 2023 crop of new approvals. Whittling down to 64 from the 92 drug names available was our staff challenge, but now it’s up to you, readers, to deliberate and vote down to the final winner.
Remember, this isn’t about the drugs themselves—neither how well they may work (or not) nor any controversies in how they may have been approved. Our goal is to assess their marketing suitability, considering how well they perform in their respective field and against competitors.
Ready to play? Check out the bracket here (PDF) and see the full Madness 64 list below. Then vote is via our poll here. You can vote from now until Friday, March 22, at 6 p.m. ET. Check back here Monday, March 25, for your results, and the chance to vote in the next round.
After that, we’ll be back with a new round each Wednesday and Monday through Monday, April 8, when you can vote for your championship winner. Any remote robo-voting will be noted, and those votes will be discarded. Please play fair.
Don’t forget to tell us why you picked what you picked in the voting poll comments section—and what you think each drug name really sounds like. We’ll include the funniest and most out-of-the-box comments in our recaps every round, so make 'em good!
New this year: Our sister publication Fierce Biotech is also running its own Madness tournament for the best of the best in biotech company names. Check out and vote in its championship here.
Good luck, and happy Madness!
#FierceMadness 2024: The full bracket of 64
Jesduvroq vs. Lamzede
Jesduvroq
Maker: GSK
Indication: Anemia due to chronic kidney disease
Sounds like: When you hit your finger with a hammer, but it’s in front of your children so you’re trying not to swear
Lamzede
Maker: Chiesi
Indication: Non-central nervous system manifestations of alpha-mannosidosis
Sounds like: A vegan meal
Pluvicto vs. Lunsumio
Pluvicto
Maker: Novartis
Indication: Prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer following other therapies
Sounds like: A new planet
Lunsumio
Maker: Roche
Indication: Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Sounds like: A Japanese wrestler
Briumvi vs. Camzyos
Briumvi
Maker: TG Therapeutics
Indication: Relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
Sounds like: A sixth-generation cheese
Camzyos
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Sounds like: A Spanish holiday resort
Voquezna vs. Mounjaro
Voquezna
Maker: Phathom Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Erosive GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) and Helicobacter pylori infection
Sounds like: A sports drink with a kick
Mounjaro
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Lowering blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes
Sounds like: A legendary medieval sword fighter
Vtama vs. Amvuttra
Vtama
Maker: Dermavant
Indication: Plaque psoriasis
Sounds like: A mouthful
Amvuttra
Maker: Alnylam
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A pope’s gift
Xenpozyme vs. Daxxify
Xenpozyme
Maker: Sanofi
Indication: Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency
Sounds like: An alien protein
Daxxify
Maker: Revance
Indication: The treatment of cervical dystonia and for the temporary improvement of frown lines
Sounds like: A ray gun to make you sassy
Fruzaqla vs. Sotyktu
Fruzaqla
Maker: Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer
Sounds like: A European swear word
Sotyktu
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
Sounds like: Gesundheit!
Terlivaz vs. Imjudo
Terlivaz
Maker: Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Improve kidney function in adults with hepatorenal syndrome with rapid reduction in kidney function
Sounds like: A Hungarian dance
Imjudo
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Sounds like: A self-confident martial artist
Elahere vs. Vabysmo
Elahere
Maker: ImmunoGen
Indication: Recurrent ovarian cancer that is resistant to platinum therapy
Sounds like: An inebriated attempt at Hawaiian
Vabysmo
Maker: Roche
Indication: Neovascular (wet) aged-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema
Sounds like: A new way of saying fantastic
Pyrukynd vs. Rystiggo
Pyrukynd
Maker: Agios
Indication: Hemolytic anemia in pyruvate kinase deficiency
Sounds like: A drunk Scrabble game
Rystiggo
Maker: UCB
Indication: Generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor- or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibody-positive
Sounds like: An Italian village
Beyfortus vs. Xdemvy
Beyfortus
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: To prevent respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease
Sounds like: A medieval stronghold
Xdemvy
Maker: Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Demodex blepharitis
Sounds like: Elon Musk’s drunk attempt at renaming his business
Tzield vs. Rezlidhia
Tzield
Maker: Provention Bio
Indication: Delay the onset of stage 3 Type 1 diabetes
Sounds like: An electronic barrier
Rezlidhia
Maker: Rigel Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation
Sounds like: A new Disney princess
Krazati vs. Leqembi
Krazati
Maker: Mirati Therapeutics
Indication: KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in adults who have received at least one prior systemic therapy
Sounds like: A crazy party
Leqembi
Maker: Eisai
Indication: Alzheimer’s disease
Sounds like: An inspirational French aphorism
Cibinqo vs. Brenzavvy
Cibinqo
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis
Sounds like: A game of cheeky bingo
Brenzavvy
Maker: TheracosBio
Indication: Glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise
Sounds like: Heard in a copy of "Pirates of the Caribbean"
Jaypirca vs. Skyclarys
Jaypirca
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma in adults who have had at least two lines of systemic therapy, including a BTK inhibitor
Sounds like: A strong coffee
Skyclarys
Maker: Biogen
Indication: Friedreich’s ataxia
Sounds like: A high-rise building
Zavzpret vs. Paxlovid
Zavzpret
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Migraine treatment
Sounds like: A Turkish fast-food restaurant
Paxlovid
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19
Sounds like: A bizarre Pac-Man sequel
Inpefa vs. Columvi
Inpefa
Maker: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Heart failure
Sounds like: An anti-fascist offshoot group
Columvi
Maker: Roche
Indication: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified, or large B-cell lymphoma arising from follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
Sounds like: An ancient Roman detective
Daybue vs. Zynyz
Daybue
Maker: Acadia
Indication: Rett syndrome
Sounds like: How my five-year-old insists debut is spelled
Zynyz
Maker: Incyte
Indication: Metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma
Sounds like: Drug naming companies may be running out of ideas
Rezzayo vs. Qalsody
Rezzayo
Maker: Melinta Therapeutics
Indication: Candidemia and invasive candidiasis
Sounds like: A phrase used when you’ve had a great nap in the day
Qalsody
Maker: Biogen
Indication: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in adults who have a SOD1 gene mutation
Sounds like: From the makers of “Better Call Saul” comes “better Qalsody”
Elfabrio vs. Veozah
Elfabrio
Maker: Chiesi
Indication: Fabry disease
Sounds like: The lost Spanish Mario brother
Veozah
Maker: Astellas
Indication: Moderate to severe hot flashes caused by menopause
Sounds like: A Broadway play
Epkinly vs. Zurzuvae
Epkinly
Makers: AbbVie/Genmab
Indication: Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and high-grade B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy
Sounds like: Someone who watches too many streaming episodes
Zurzuvae
Makers: Sage/Biogen
Indication: Postpartum depression
Sounds like: A mouthful
Izervay vs. Talvey
Izervay
Maker: Iveric Bio
Indication: Geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration
Sounds like: A new app for scanning the land
Talvey
Maker: Johnson & Johnson
Indication: Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies
Sounds like: A little too close to talc…
Elrexfio vs. Veopoz
Elrexfio
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy
Sounds like: A new dinosaur found in Mexico
Veopoz
Maker: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Patients 1 year old and older with CD55-deficient protein-losing enteropathy
Sounds like: Double-plus good!
Zilbrysq vs. Ojjaara
Zilbrysq
Maker: UCB
Indication: Generalized myasthenia gravis in adults who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody positive
Sounds like: Absolute zero
Ojjaara
Maker: GSK
Indication: Intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis in adults with anemia
Sounds like: “What’s my name?”
Exxua vs. Pombiliti
Exxua
Maker: Fabre-Kramer Pharmaceuticals
Indication: Major depressive disorder
Sounds like: Someone who’s always leaving
Pombiliti
Maker: Amicus
Indication: Late-onset Pompe disease
Sounds like: The ability to treat Pompe disease (this feels a little on the nose)
Rivfloza vs. Velsipity
Rivfloza
Maker: Novo Nordisk
Indication: Urinary oxalate levels in patients 9 years and older with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and relatively preserved kidney function
Sounds like: An exuberant DJ
Velsipity
Maker: Pfizer
Indication: Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults
Sounds like: A deodorant brand you wouldn’t want to buy
Bimzelx vs. Omvoh
Bimzelx
Maker: UCB
Indication: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
Sounds like: Throwing away unwanted antacids
Omvoh
Maker: Eli Lilly
Indication: Ulcerative colitis
Sounds like: A new age prayer
Loqtorzi vs. Defencath
Loqtorzi
Maker: Coherus Biosciences
Indication: Recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma when used together with or following other therapies
Sounds like: How you close the door in a magical kingdom
Defencath
Maker: CorMedix
Indication: Reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections in adults with kidney failure receiving chronic hemodialysis
Sounds like: A Dungeons and Dragons character
Augtyro vs. Ryzneuta
Augtyro
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer
Sounds like: A virtual reality game where you’re the bad guy
Ryzneuta
Maker: Acrotech Biopharma
Indication: Neutropenia
Sounds like: Getting rid of someone’s charisma
Truqap vs. Ogsiveo
Truqap
Maker: AstraZeneca
Indication: Breast cancer that meets certain disease criteria
Sounds like: A limit on truth
Ogsiveo
Maker: SpringWorks
Indication: Progressing desmoid tumors who require systemic treatment
Sounds like: Oh, give us a go!
Quviviq vs. Ztalmy
Quviviq
Maker: Idorsia
Indication: Insomnia
Sounds like: A producer asking a biotech founder turned politician to get ready for his TV appearance
Ztalmy
Maker: Marinus
Indication: Seizures in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 deficiency disorder
Sounds like: A nefarious Yevgeny Zamyatin character
Opdualag vs. Wainua
Opdualag
Maker: Bristol Myers Squibb
Indication: Unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Sounds like: A Russian prison
Wainua
Maker: AstraZeneca/Ionis
Indication: Polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis
Sounds like: A Premier League footballer