8DECEMBER - 2022TECH OUTLOOKBy Sanjay Konagurthu, Senior Director, Science And Innovation, Pharma Services, Thermo Fisher ScientificThe pharmaceutical oncology landscape looks very different today than it did just a decade ago. Advances in the molecular understanding of cancer, an increased focus on developing targeted therapies based on that understanding, and new regulatory pathways for getting novel treatments to market quickly have changed the clinical development paradigm for oncology drugs and introduced unique hurdles. To shepherd oncology molecules from formulation design to commercialization, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies must be prepared to overcome bioavailability challenges, handle high-potency materials, optimize the supply chain, and navigate a complex regulatory environment. They must also begin the development process with the end in mind, where "the end" is not only the final drug product, but also the cancer patient whose life depends on that drug product.The Oncology Drug Development LandscapeAs the fastest-growing, most active sector of drug development, oncology has benefited from breakthroughs in science and technology that have advanced researchers' understanding of the biology, immunology, and genetics of cancer. This growing body of knowledge has led to the development of new therapeutic strategies that increase treatment options and improve out comes for patients. Many patient populations that previously were treated with nonselective chemotherapies are now receiving targeted agents and cancer immunotherapies that are tailored to the molecular and clinical features of their disease.In addition to widening the oncology playing field, this shift toward precision medicine has intensified the competition. The past decade has seen 169 launches of novel active substances in oncology, including new immunotherapies, next-generation biotherapeutics, and treatments for rare cancers. In 2021, there DEVELOPING PATIENT-CENTRIC PRECISION ONCOLOGY THERAPIES: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MINDSanjay KonagurthuIN MY OPINION
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