Why Pharma Is Pouring Billions Into the PD-1/VEGF Race
Interest in PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibodies surged after ivonescimab outperformed Keytruda in a landmark lung cancer study in 2024. Since then, companies have accelerated investments, partnerships and development programs across the field.
Recent phase 3 data from China further strengthened confidence in the approach. In the study, ivonescimab, developed by Akeso and licensed by Summit Therapeutics, reduced the risk of death by 34% compared with chemotherapy plus a PD-1 inhibitor.
Consequently, PD-1/VEGF bispecifics have become one of the most closely watched areas in oncology.
Are Drugmakers Overlooking a Bigger Opportunity Beyond Lung Cancer?
Despite the industry’s focus on lung cancer, some analysts believe the strongest opportunity may lie elsewhere.
Souro Chowdhury, Senior Business Analyst at Lifescience Dynamics, argues that cancers driven more heavily by VEGF biology could respond better to this therapeutic approach. Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, stands out as a leading candidate. Gastric cancer may also offer significant potential.
As a result, the discussion is shifting from whether these therapies work to where they can deliver the greatest value.
The Hidden Portfolio Risk Behind Pharma’s PD-1/VEGF Strategy
The industry’s concentration on lung cancer raises an important strategic question.
While lung cancer remains one of oncology’s largest commercial markets, the biggest market does not always represent the strongest scientific opportunity. If future studies confirm greater benefits in other tumor types, companies that focused narrowly on lung cancer could face development and portfolio risks.
Therefore, target selection is becoming as important as the underlying technology itself.
Can Global Trials Confirm the Early Success Story?
Analysts also caution that current evidence remains heavily influenced by data from China, where patient populations often differ from those enrolled in Western studies.
Because demographic and clinical characteristics can affect outcomes, global phase 3 trials will play a key role in determining whether early successes can be replicated across broader populations.
Until then, uncertainty remains part of the investment equation.
Why Leading Companies Are Expanding Beyond a Single Cancer Target
Several developers have already started diversifying their strategies.
Ivonescimab is advancing into phase 3 testing for colorectal cancer, while BioNTech’s BNT327 is being evaluated across liver, breast and colorectal cancers.
This expansion may reflect confidence in the platform. However, it also helps companies reduce development risk and create multiple paths to commercial success.
The Strategic Decision That Could Reshape the PD-1/VEGF Market
The future of PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibodies may depend less on proving the mechanism and more on identifying the right disease settings.
As additional phase 3 data emerge, drugmakers will need to decide whether lung cancer should remain the primary focus or whether other tumors offer a greater long-term opportunity. The answer could influence the next wave of oncology investment across the pharmaceutical industry.
The growing debate around PD-1/VEGF development highlights a broader industry challenge: making high-impact decisions under scientific and regulatory uncertainty. Pharmaceutical teams facing similar validation, risk assessment and lifecycle management challenges can explore Zamann Pharma’s expertise in qualification and validation for GMP-regulated systems.
More information is available through Qualification and Validation for GMP-Regulated Systems, where pharmaceutical organizations can find practical support for risk-based validation and compliance-driven project execution.
Source: Pharmavoice.Com