In 2024, there were 50 novel drugs approved by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Of those 50 names, there are observable patterns and trends in style, structure, and inspiration as we continue to navigate the beautiful and complicated landscape of pharmaceutical name candidate development.
Some of these trends include the use of the nonproprietary name as part of the brand name. We noted that about 30% of candidates (15 out of the 50 names) had a relatively obvious or noticeable link to the product’s ingredient(s), such as Letybo (letibotulinumtoxinA-wlbg) and Lazcluze (lazertinib). Those names aren’t just representative of this popular name strategy, they also represent one of the two most common starting letters of 2024: L. The other most common prefix letter was A, tying for first with the latest approval of Alhemo. Last year, there was a much more even split across popular starting letters from E to Z.
38% of names contain at least one Y in the name. Ys are often used as replacements for the letter “I” (as in Hympavzi), as an aid in pronunciation (as in Vyloy where the y suggests“vye-loy” vs. “vih-loy”), or as a suffix (as in Cobenfy).
While a handful of names ended in Y – 5 to be exact – the most popular ending letters are the classic A (13 names) and O (10 names). While still the most common ending letters, in 2023 there was a distinct increase in names ending in I or Y, which decreased once again in 2024. 2025 may prove to be an opportunity to end with more unique letters or consonants.
There was also a noticeable increase in embedding, either purposefully or accidentally, real words or real word-adjacent word parts into name candidates. In 2023, only 18% of 55 names embedded a recognizable real word or near-real word. In 2024, 38% embedded a recognizable real word or near-real word, including names like Lumisight and Ensacove. This shows a distinct focus on pronounceability and memorability due to the added familiarity with those words.
One major consistency in patterns was in names inspired by their mechanism of action. This percentage has hovered around 15% for two years, and includes names like Imdelltra, a DLL3-targeting immunotherapy; you can see the mechanism in the use of DLL, and the capital E like a backwards “3”.
Sixteen additional names were approved via the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), including mResvia (for RSV) and Lenmeldy (known as Libmeldy in Europe) and a personal favorite, Ryoncil. While the similarity of these names, and their likelihood for confusion with other drug names, are evaluated a bit differently from their CDER counterparts; these names apply similar tactics, naming strategies, and styles in their construction.
I am looking forward to seeing how patterns in pharmaceutical name development shift and move in 2025.
*Brand names referenced in this blog were developed in partnership with Brand Institute
By Alexa Lash
Alexa Lash, MA
Senior Vice President, Creative
Ms. Lash joined BI – Miami in 2013. She serves as one of the leading experts in specialty creative projects ranging from brand strategy recommendations to live creative sessions. Ms. Lash has spearheaded thousands of creative naming, brand architecture and naming strategy projects during her tenure with Brand Institute, while also contributing to creative innovation and outfacing deliverable program design. Before joining BI, she worked as a Social Media & Marketing Coordinator and as a freelance writer and editor. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida and her Master of Arts degree in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
