Following the Crowd Isn't Going to Lead to Better Cancer Solutions for Patients
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
Not following the crowd was certainly a theme at our recent program, "Harnessing the Potential of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in Oncology," held at JLABS @ Washington, DC. The opportunity convened passionate biotech founders, key thought leaders, investors, and academic researchers. The agenda and conversations revolved around the renewed research and investment interest in ADC technology, while exploring what the future could hold for oncology therapeutics.
The biopharmaceutical industry witnessed a 400% growth in total deal value of ADCs focused licensing agreements from 2017-2022 and reached a peak of $16.6 billion in 2022. Our program was uniquely scheduled following one of the most recent Big Pharma transactions, with Merck signing a $5.5 billion deal, potentially up to $22 billion, with Daiichi to jointly develop three of its ADC drugs. Moreover, the ADC deal market in 2023 is expected to be the largest to-date, with projections indicating a near doubling of the 33 M&A, licenses and partnerships executed in 2022 (as identified by BioCentury).
“The tipping point for ADCs can be summarized in three areas: (1) Data – showing advantages over standard of care, (2) Location – tapping into innovation across global markets, (3) Incremental Improvements – small advancements that pushed the field forward.” - Stefan Hart Senior Director, Scientific Innovation Oncology, Johnson & Johnson
A highlight of leveraging ADCs in treatment are their specificity and selectivity which results in increased drug tolerability and limited systemic distribution. However, there are still several development challenges to address, including unidentified drug resistance mechanisms, and potential side effects via release of cytotoxic compounds into the bloodstream – a significant barrier to patient tolerability.
“One of the exciting apexes of ADCs is combining with safer, more effective cancer treatment.” - Timothy Lowinger Chief Science and Technology Officer Mersana Therapeutics
During one of our panel discussions focused on the future of ADCs and innovations in the ADC market space, speakers emphasized that although there are around 160 assets currently in development, the majority of these assets are only focused on approximately 10 targets. Highlighted by our experts and innovators, early-stage innovators and biotechs developing ADCs should be considering, ‘where will the need be five years from now’ – and not just chase the same targets. Panelists also discussed what innovators should be considering in the R&D of ADCs:
Other considerations discussed, specifically at the clinical stage, included:
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Recognizing that clinical progress is not possible without a diverse patient population, one panel discussion underscored the importance of an intentional approach to shaping clinical study designs, ensuring adequate safety and efficacy for all individuals. The emphasis was placed on the need for a shift of organizational mindsets on clinical trials, which involves starting with a strategic approach that considers patients and indications before delving into trial design. Additionally, there was a focus on engaging with and broadening outreach to communities to enhance patient reach, noting that health equity is not just the science, but also the consideration of socio-economic status groups, gender, and sexual orientation. And, once organizations do mobilize under-represented patients, it is crucial to support sustained engagement.
In short, we all have more work to do together and we look forward to hosting our next drug development program and partnering events in 2024 at JLABS @ Washington, DC…as the patients are waiting!
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