Antibody-drug conjugates, a relatively new class of therapeutics that are improving cancer treatment, are likely to be a boon to the bottom lines of the companies that market and develop them.
Considering the ADCs currently on the market and those in the pipeline, Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSKYF), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Sciences of Gilead (NASDAQ: GILD) and Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY) are considered the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors destined to benefit the most.
According to Evaluate, in 2028, AJC revenues from the top 5 biopharmaceutical companies that market them are expected to be approximately $23.5 billion.
In a new report, the pharmaceutical trade intelligence firm noted that the top-selling AJC currently in the U.S. is Daiichi Sankyo (OTCPK:DSNKY) and AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki), approved in 2019.
Enhertu grossed a combined $2.57 billion for the two companies in 2023, more than double the total of $1.25 billion in 2022. Sales of the evaluated projects will reach $9 billion in 2028.
The science behind AJCs is pretty simple. Cytotoxic drugs are “attached” to a monoclonal antibody. Because antibodies are highly targeted, they can deliver powerful medicine to cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
Citing information from BioMedtracker, the report notes that there are more than 150 clinical-stage AJC programs: 12 in phase 3 and approximately 40 in phase 2.
The report also notes a couple of other companies to watch out for in the ADC space: ImmunoGen and ADC Therapeutics (ADCT). The former was recently acquired by AbbVie (ABBV) for $10.1 billion. ADC’s (ADCT) stock price has been rising since late November, when the AbbVie/ImmunoGen deal was first announced.
AbbVie (ABBV) has secured the ADC Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) for a type of ovarian cancer, as well as pivekimab sunirine, currently in Phase 2 for a rare blood cancer.
ADC (ADCT) markets ADC Zynlonta (loncastuximab verticirine-lpyl) for large B-cell lymphoma. It has two ADCs in early-stage development for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and solid tumors.