Oncology services

At Envision Pharma Group, we ensure each team stays on the leading edge of thought leadership and innovation in the field so that we are well equipped to support a diverse range of strategic communication needs.

Our consultancy group

With more than 321 combined years of oncology experience and over 90 members across Envision Scientific Solutions, the Oncology Consultancy infuses deep and broad cancer development expertise into every oncology team.

Innovative directions in oncology drug development

Select a subject below to learn more

Hallmarks of innovation

Key attributes for novel anti-cancer drugs may increase their chances of eventually moving the needle in patient care.

Hallmarks of innovation

Immunotherapy

Finding the next “big leap forward” will require a mechanistic focus on the tumor microenvironment beyond T cells.

Immunotherapy

Hallmarks of innovation

What to look for?

The multifaceted complexities of cancer biology and oncology drug development mean that it is not uncommon to see clinical successes and failures that surprise us all. That said, certain key attributes for novel anti-cancer drugs may increase their chances of eventually moving the needle in patient care.
Innovation biomarker icon

A good biomarker vastly increases chances of clinical success

Clearly defined niche applications are an asset, not a limitation.

For companion diagnostics, look for validated predictive value and a reproducible assay.

Innovation biomarker icon

An innovative drug platform may have potential for broad application

Nearly all spaces in oncology are getting too competitive for “me toos,” unless the drug has design elements that are truly a step forward for the MOA.

Think beyond the lead product or indication, a well-designed new platform may have the potential to be applied to other MOAs.

For existing platforms, look for meaningful design improvement on existing technology.

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Novel, mechanistically sound solution to a global unmet need

Look for a biologic rationale/story that clearly distinguishes the design or approach from prior successes and failures.

Look for combination regimens that are chosen for their mechanistic synergy, supported by data that shows component effects.

Consider whether the suite of preclinical and early clinical data that establishes a dose with biologic effect (beyond MTD). Data in at least one in vivo model is a bonus.

Ensure the registrational development program is designed for global relevance.

Immunotherapy

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Current state

Now a fixture in most companies’ pipelines.

Unclear what the next “big leap forward” will be.

Immunotherapy eye icon
What to look for

A MOA with suffcient clinical precedent and wide research interest

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Current state

The field of immunotherapy needs a mechanistic focus on the tumor microenvironment beyond T cells; eg, approaches to target NK cells, APCs, MDSCs, or macrophages (cells or related pathways).

Emerging advances are hoped to continually improve CAR-T technology or off-the-shelf alternatives like bispecific T-cell engagers.

Novel immune agonist MOAs or CAR-Ts in solid tumors will need to go the extra mile to differentiate from prior failures.

Targeted therapy

Improvements in ADC, radioligand, and oncogenic targeting technology are making cancer therapy more personalized than ever.

Targeted therapy

Biomarkers

Advances in technology might have improved our ability to predict efficacy or detect residual disease.

Biomarkers

Targeted therapy

Immunotherapy location icon
Current state

Serial resistance is a problem and an opportunity

Communication gaps re: actionability and need to test

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What to look for

Differentiated MOA, technology, or platform

Immunotherapy search icon
Current state

There is still room for more effective targeting of known driver pathways (eg, KRAS, HER2, BTK).

Novel approaches to target novel oncogenic drivers, pan-cancer markers or defects, or elements of synthetic lethality (beyond the PARPs) have the strongest potential to address biologic unmet needs.

Improving the tolerability of bi- or tri-specifics will help make these approaches more broadly applicable.

Biomarkers

Immunotherapy location icon
Current state

High interest driven by clinical and value gains

Technology advances might have improved feasibility

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What to look for

Validated to predict efficacy or detect residual disease; few feasibility barriers

Immunotherapy search icon
Current state

Companies with the most impactful focus are working on ways to identify:

  • Acquired resistance to oncogenic targeting or immunotherapy
  • Residual disease in a validated, accurate, and reproducible way (eg, ctDNA, exosomes)

Emerging technology should provide novel, feasible improvements to:

  • NGS or –omics
  • Tissue biopsy alternatives

Resources

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Innovation directions in oncology drug development: Download our PDF to learn more.

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Articles

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To improve outcomes for cancer patients and take advantage of the groundbreaking scientific and technological progress made in oncology prevention, diagnosis, therapy, and care over recent years, it is of crucial importance to ensure all patients with cancer have a role and an ongoing dialogue with the healthcare team.

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Achieving launch excellence in oncology

Any new drug launch must overcome numerous obstacles in the pursuit of success. Many of these challenges are exacerbated in oncology, where the treatment landscape rapidly evolves with novel mechanisms of actions (eg, cell therapy, bi/tri-specific antibodies), where there are ever-changing regulatory requirements, the use of biomarkers, etc.

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