May 15, 2026
Mr. Morelle (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Pfluger, and Mr. Kean) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to adjust which engineered cyclic peptides are qualifying single source drugs for purposes of the Drug Price Negotiation Program.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Next Generation Medicines Act of 2026
or the Next GEN Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Adjusting rules for engineered cyclic peptides under Drug Price Negotiation Program
(a) In general
Section 1192(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320f–1(e)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), by inserting (or, in the case of an engineered cyclic peptide (as defined in paragraph (5)), 11 years)
after 7 years
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(5) Engineered cyclic peptide defined
In this subsection, the term engineered cyclic peptide means a polymer that—
(A)
is composed principally of amino acids;
(B)
contains not less than 1 cyclic structure produced through head-to-tail cyclization, head-to-side-chain cyclization, side-chain-to-tail cyclization, or side-chain-to-side-chain cyclization;
(C)
contains not more than 40 amino acids;
(D)
was identified for development using a genetically encoded library screening method;
(E)
is not naturally derived; and
(F)
is orally administered, inhaled, or otherwise self-administered.
(b) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to lists published under section 1192(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320f–1(a)) on or after the date of the enactment of this section.