Ovarian Cancer Treatment Pipeline Offers Promising Alternatives to Chemo

Despite the currently high level of unmet need in the ovarian cancer therapeutic market, a strong pipeline of 462 diverse and innovative products in active development signals significant potential for alternatives to chemotherapy, according to business intelligence provider GBI Research.

The company's latest report states that as the market becomes more diverse, it will become less reliant on indiscriminate and highly cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, which do not target specific proteins in aberrant pathways in ovarian cancer.

Joshua Libberton, Analyst for GBI Research, says that despite limited therapeutic options for ovarian cancer patients at the moment, almost 52 percent of ovarian cancer products in active development in the pipeline are considered to be first-in-class, as they have a molecular target not associated with any marketed products.

"As the current ovarian cancer market has a large generic presence, and relatively few novel active pharmaceutical ingredients, the market has stagnated, leaving a large portion of the ovarian cancer population with significant unmet needs," said Libberton. "Currently, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynaecological cancers and is fatal in a majority of patients, rendering it imperative that more effective therapies are developed."

According to GBI Research, the high proportion of first-in-class innovation implies that the industry is pursuing novel approaches to treatment and reducing the focus on established therapies. Although innovation to date has been slow, greater disease understanding and awareness has created an environment in which it will thrive.

"In addition to the use of existing platinum-based chemotherapy, treatments such as anti-angiogenic treatments and Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase inhibitors are expected to have a positive impact on ovarian cancer survival in particular patient subsets," said Libberton. "The pipeline is showing clear signs of innovation in ovarian cancer treatment, with many products deviating away from standard chemotherapy targets, and a high proportion of first-in-class drugs. Despite fewer innovative products reaching the ovarian cancer market than other indications in the past, there is hope that an industry-wide perception of high rewards for successful first-in-class products and an innovative ovarian cancer pipeline can provide improved treatment options."