A Virtuous Cycle: What The Immuno-Oncology Revolution Means For Other Disease Areas

Execs from Merck, Pfizer, Bristol, Abbvie and smaller biopharmas weigh in on how developments in cancer research may benefit other disease areas, especially autoimmune and neurological conditions.

Shutterstock: Ralwel
• Source: Shutterstock: Ralwel

Approval in 2011 of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor Yervoy (ipilimumab) in melanoma signaled the start of the immunotherapy revolution in the field of cancer therapy, followed by the PD-1 inhibitors and with new mechanisms nearing the market. Data presented at the Society for Immunotherapy and Cancer (SITC) annual meeting in November revealed that PD-1/L1 inhibitors such as Bristol's Opdivo (nivolumab) and Merck & Co. Inc.'s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) are being tested in about 1,500 clinical trials, of which 74% are evaluating combination approaches with other immunotherapies and traditional targeted agents. (Also see "Bristol's Strong SITC: IDO, 1L Kidney Cancer And New Mechanism Data Bode Well" - Scrip, 14 November, 2017.)

Development has been fueled by high unmet need and regulatory willingness to speed approvals for drugs aimed at life-threatening diseases....

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Innovation

Finding The Fire: AltruBio’s Novel Approach To Autoimmune Disease

 
• By 

CEO Judy Chou brings big pharma experience to tackle chronic inflammation with the company's first-in-class PSGL-1 targeting therapy.

Late-Stage GLP-1 Drug Trials Outside The Cardiometabolic Space

 
• By 

A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By 

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By 

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By 

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By 

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By 

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.