Oncology Clinical Leaders Forum

Clinical development of both oncology small and large molecules is well known to be incredibly difficult, expensive and very high risk.

Despite billions being invested in the “war on cancer” over the last decades, many cancer indications are no closer to reliable therapeutic interventions.

Although researchers have made great strides forward in recent years in some areas such as personalized medicines and immunotherapies, by contrast in other areas they have hit a wall due to the immense complexity of what is now known to be a heterogenic, incredibly diverse range of diseases.

Despite advancements in understanding of the human genome, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and the dramatic reduction in sequencing costs, these mainly genetic diseases require a more personalized response, and there are no “one-size fits all” therapies.

There are clearly still huge scientific challenges to be overcome, but the massive cost of cancer drug development, often high manufacturing costs, and the high-failure rate, has also resulted in a very high-cost of therapies and cancer care.