Immuno-oncology could be the new frontier in the fight against cancer
Cancer-therapy companies are buying into the ever-growing market of immunology, developing drugs that could take the industry by storm
Immuno-oncology treatments offers the potential to leave all other cancer treatments in the dust
Immunology, a branch of medicine and biology concerned with the immune system, is a new class of cancer treatment that holds greater potential than current treatments, according to the Cancer Research Institute.
Although expensive, the institute believes the reason the treatment is so successful is because it is universal and can be applied to nearly all types of cancer. Some researchers even believe it has the potential to eventually cure all forms of cancer.
Widespread investment
The business and venture market for immunology is receiving a lot of attention from investors. Last year, more than $10.9bn was spent on immuno-oncology deals and partnerships.
In the US, President Obama recently announced a “moonshot” for cancer treatment: “Let’s make America the country that cures cancer once and for all”, he said in his State of the Union address.
Last year, more than $10.9bn was spent on immuno-oncology deals and partnerships
The suggested programme is a $1bn injection of cash intended to bring a decade’s worth of advances in just five years, specifically focusing on the development of immunology. Vice President Joe Biden, who lost his son to brain cancer, is leading the campaign.
Other investors who have joined the push include Michael Bloomberg and Sidney Kimmel, who have pledged to create a new immuno-oncology-focused cancer institute.
The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy was founded with two $50m gifts. A further $25m was donated to the centre – contributed by a multitude of other supporters.
Johns Hopkins Medicine launched the institute, which is devoted to the study of new and promising approaches to cancer treatment, such as research-backed immunology treatments, embracing the Obama administration’s initiative.
Additionally, music software company Napster has invested $250m to create the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, which “enables real collaboration and accelerates the most ambitious research to deliver new immunotherapies”.
Sean Parker, co-founder of Napster, wants to speed up development of more effective cancer treatments by fostering collaboration among leading researchers in the field. The institute will include over 40 laboratories and more than 300 researchers from six leading US cancer centres.
Many more recognised politicians and businessmen are thought to be planning macro-investments into the immunology industry, as the treatment continues to prove effective for hundreds of patients.
Start starting up
Innovative start-up companies are also beginning to join the expanding market, collaborating with large corporations that specialise in immunology and encouraging them to invest in their businesses.
UK-based start-up Jounce Therapeutics recently announced its collaboration with Celgene to develop next-generation immuno-oncology therapies.
Jounce will receive a staggering upfront payment of $255m, a $36m equity investment and up to $23bn in future “milestone payments” across all programmes, according to Biospace.
Jounce will receive a staggering upfront payment of $255m
Partnerships between start-ups and larger companies work as a two-way street; Celgene will have the opportunity to collaboratively develop and commercialise Jounce’s lead product candidate, a drug named JTX-2011, while Jounce will have the support and funding of a huge biotech corporation.
“Celgene is the ideal partner to collaborate with Jounce – to bring potentially transformational treatments to patients with cancer”, said Murray. “This partnership is of significant strategic value for Jounce. With Celgene as our partner, we can broaden our platform, advance our discovery programmes and execute comprehensive clinical strategies, all in the context of our approach to bring the right immunotherapies to the right patient populations.”
If successful and the partnership between the two companies is progressive, Celgene and Jounce could lead a wider trend among those contributing to the immunology industry – encouraging innovate start-ups to work alongside established corporations.
