Pfizer’s Ambitious Plans for Cancer Therapies
Pfizer recently held an investor event for its expanded oncology division, where it made a bold promise to have eight blockbuster cancer therapies by 2030. However, the specific therapies were not disclosed. Suneet Varma, the commercial president of Pfizer Oncology, explained that these blockbusters would emerge from each of the division’s four therapeutic areas, including breast surgery, genitourinary surgery, haematology surgery, and thoracic surgery.
Pfizer’s commitment to cancer was evident in its acquisition of Seagen last year for a staggering $43 billion. This acquisition solidified Pfizer’s position in the antibody-drug conjugates market. The company is now focused on implementing cost-cutting plans to offset the expenses incurred from the acquisition and the decline in COVID sales.
Varma reassured investors that oncology would not be impacted by these cost-cutting measures. He stated that Pfizer had already taken steps to contain costs and make necessary organizational changes. The merger with Seagen is a significant component of Pfizer’s strategy to expand its presence in the oncology market.
Pfizer appointed Chris Boshoff as the chief cancer officer and separated oncology as a distinct division within the company. Varma emphasized the importance of being at the scale they are currently at but did not rule out the possibility of further expansion of their commercial infrastructure.
Lung cancer, also known as thoracic cancer, is not a primary focus for Pfizer. However, Varma suggested that it may become its own franchise in the future due to the increasing prevalence of the disease. Pfizer recently released phase 3 results for its next-generation ALK inhibitor Lorbrena, showing promising survival rates and reduced disease progression compared to other medications.
Despite these positive results, Lorbrena has not posed a significant threat to Alecensa, Roche’s current first-line standard of therapy for ALK-positive lung cancer. Physicians are hesitant to use Lorbrena as a first-line medication due to its neurotoxicity and associated side effects. Pfizer remains optimistic about Lorbrena’s potential and is actively working on managing its side effects.
Varma acknowledged that additional therapeutic management is necessary but emphasized the importance of giving patients their best chance at survival. Pfizer is using its expertise from managing Seagen therapy to support Lorbrena and address the complex side effects of antibody-drug conjugates.
Genitourinary cancer, another area of focus for Pfizer, is expected to surpass lung cancer in terms of investment and resources. The acquisition of Seagen and its ADC portfolio has allowed Pfizer to enhance its biologics commercial capabilities. Varma highlighted the reciprocal benefits of this merger, with Pfizer leveraging its extensive marketing capabilities for all of Seagen’s medications.
In particular, Pfizer Oncology is prioritizing the legacy Seagen bladder cancer medication Padcev, which is partnered with Astellas and ranked among the top 10 brands. Varma emphasized the disproportionate attention given to Padcev in terms of sales force prioritization and agency support.
In conclusion, Pfizer has ambitious plans for its oncology division, aiming to develop eight blockbuster cancer therapies by 2030. The company is leveraging its acquisition of Seagen to enhance its biologics capabilities and expand its presence in the market. While lung cancer and genitourinary cancer are key focus areas, Pfizer is also committed to addressing the complex side effects associated with its therapies. Overall, Pfizer’s dedication to cancer research and treatment shows its commitment to improving patient outcomes in this challenging disease area.