Non-IO and IO Partnering and Development: What's the Role of Non-IO in an IO World?
This whitepaper discusses the role of non-immuno-oncology therapies for cancer in a world where immuno-oncology is playing a greater role.
The clinical success of checkpoint inhibitors has made Immuno-Oncology an amazingly "hot" area for pharmaceutical and biotech deal-making. With checkpoint antibodies seen as backbones for combination therapy in cancer, many in Oncology are asking:
- What is the role of non-IO in an IO world and can you partner a non-IO opportunity?
- Is there still room for new anticancer agents that are not working in IO models?
- Are drug candidates evaluated with the assumption that everything will eventually be used in combination with IO agents? Or are there indications or mechanisms for which IO will never be important? Should I pursue combinations with IO?
- What kinds of mechanisms are attractive in non-IO? What data and models will big pharma want to see? Do I need to run experiments with their molecule? Are there certain tumor types that are particularly attractive?
- Is it too late to try to compete in the crowded space of combination with PD1 antibodies? What other IO agents are likely to backbones of oncology franchises?
- What will make my non-IO drug candidate compelling for partners and investors?
WHITEPAPER
Authors:
Linda Pullan, PhD - Moderator
Pullan Consulting