The global immuno-oncology arena, estimated to be valued more than $33bn, provides a number of opportunities for drug development companies in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, according to GlobalData’s R&D Visualization Bullseye Chart.
The chart for PD-(L)1 combination pipeline shows that APAC companies only contribute to the development of a minority of PD-(L)1 combinations.
The chart indicates that of all PD-(L)1 combinations, companies from the region are involved in just 6.4% of the investigations. Japan is the leading developer of PD-(L)1 combinations in the region with Takeda and Eisai being the biggest contributors.
China is set to outperform in the future, with three out of 15 anti-PD-(L)1 molecules currently being investigated as both monotherapy and combination, says Fenix Leung GlobalData Healthcare Consultant.
BeiGene, Shanghai Junshi, and Jiangsu Hengrui are the biggest Chinese companies  developing PD-(L)1 combinations.
The R&D chart also indicates that PD-(L)1 combinations are being studied in solid tumour (multiple tumour types) fields, a strategy being adopted by companies to target several tumour types.
