Next GEN Act of 2026

This bill proposes to amend the Social Security Act to adjust the rules for the Drug Price Negotiation Program, specifically targeting engineered cyclic peptides . It extends the period before these particular drugs become eligible for price negotiation from the current 7 years to 11 years , aiming to provide additional time for their market exclusivity. This change applies to lists of drugs published under the program on or after the bill's enactment. The legislation precisely defines an "engineered cyclic peptide" as a polymer primarily composed of amino acids, containing at least one cyclic structure, and having no more than 40 amino acids. Furthermore, to qualify, the drug must have been identified using a genetically encoded library screening method , not be naturally derived, and be administered orally, inhaled, or self-administered. This detailed definition ensures that only specific types of innovative medicines benefit from the extended negotiation exemption.