Immuno-Oncology Is Making Pharma Step Up Its Diagnostics Game

Immuno-oncology has significant diagnostic needs including identifying patients most likely to respond to therapies. Current diagnostic approaches often fall short, due in large part to the complexity of the biology driving therapy responsiveness. As such, the biopharma industry is exploring many emerging approaches covering tumor, immune and even microbiome-related pathways and biomarkers.

IV1802_LEK_1200x675.jpg

Immuno-oncology represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, with the first wave of PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors such asOpdivo (nivolumab, from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.) and Keytruda (Merck & Co. Inc.’s pembrolizumab) demonstrating cure-like performance in selected metastatic tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma.

This efficacy is driving significant checkpoint inhibitor adoption, and analysts project the class alone could represent a $29 billion global...

More from Innovation

Trojan Bio Eyes Perfect Rainbow Shot With Immune System Cancer Innovations

 
• By 

Trojan Bio’s proprietary platform, based on engineered antibodies that activate the immune system to fight cancer in the same way as common viral infections, won Biomed Israel's 2025 biopharma start-up award. CEO and cofounder Anat Burkovitz said the technology is attracting investors' attention.

Podcast: Oxolife’s Agnés Arbat, Winner Of The European Prize For Women Innovators

 
• By 

Agnès Arbat, CEO of Oxolife and winner of the EU Women Innovators Prize, joins In Vivo to discuss OXO-001, a novel non-hormonal treatment aimed at improving embryo implantation in IVF. She shares insights from her biotech journey and the future of fertility innovation.

AI In Biologics Discovery: The Expensive Bet On Unproven Promise

 
• By 

Despite limited evidence of commercial impact, pharmaceutical companies are making massive strategic investments in AI biologics platforms. The question isn't whether the technology shows promise; it's whether that promise can translate to measurable business results.

Podcast: Acuitas CSO On CRISPR Delivery Breakthrough And Next-Gen Lipid Nanoparticle Technology

 
• By 

In Vivo sits down with Ying Tam, CSO at Acuitas Therapeutics, to discuss the company's role in delivering the first personalized CRISPR treatment to an infant and the clinical implications of new lipid nanoparticle technologies.

More from In Vivo

Deals In Depth: June 2025

 
• By 

Five $1bn+ alliances were penned in June, and four exceeded $2bn.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By 

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

Podcast: Oxolife’s Agnés Arbat, Winner Of The European Prize For Women Innovators

 
• By 

Agnès Arbat, CEO of Oxolife and winner of the EU Women Innovators Prize, joins In Vivo to discuss OXO-001, a novel non-hormonal treatment aimed at improving embryo implantation in IVF. She shares insights from her biotech journey and the future of fertility innovation.