Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
VANCOUVER — Baystreet.ca News Commentary — The global oncology and cancer drugs market, valued at $167 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $335.2 billion by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%[1]. Forecasts for the broader oncology sector paint an even more aggressive picture, with the market expected to swell to $748.17 billion by 2035 as targeted therapies and immunotherapies gain clinical traction[2]. Five companies executing on this thesis include Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY), Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), and Immutep (NASDAQ: IMMP).
The immuno-oncology segment alone is expected to expand from $65.22 billion to $170.19 billion by 2032, reflecting a 14.9% CAGR as the shift toward precision medicine intensifies[3]. Rising cancer prevalence and the growing pipeline of innovative immunotherapeutic drugs continue to draw capital into the sector[4].
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY) has launched a study that could reshape how doctors treat one of the most stubborn forms of colorectal cancer. The company's randomized Phase 2 trial, REO 033, will evaluate pelareorep in combination with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI in second-line RAS-mutated (which includes KRAS), microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer, a patient population where current treatments offer limited benefit and new options are urgently needed.
“I am honored to lead this study as I have a long track record working with pelareorep and have witnessed its ability to improve patient outcomes in a meaningful way,” said Dr. Sanjay Goel, Professor of Medicine at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. “The colorectal cancer data we recorded in the REO 022 study continues to be compelling to this day, as evidenced by the Fast Track Designation, and I hope we can generate additional exciting data in this new trial to support registration.”
The confidence behind REO 033 stems from compelling data generated in a previous clinical study. Pelareorep combined with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI demonstrated 27 months of overall survival and 16.6 months of progression-free survival, compared to 11.2 and 5.7 months for the standard of care. Objective response rate was 33% versus approximately 10% for the standard of care, more than tripling the benchmark in a notoriously difficult-to-treat population. Notably, this treatment regimen was granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA earlier this year.
“The potential to improve clinical outcomes compared to the standard of care in the second-line setting would have the potential to benefit patients around the world who are affected by colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Van Morris, Associate Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “An immunotherapy with the potential to improve outcomes would improve treatment options in colorectal cancer and would be highly welcomed, especially as we are seeing more and more patients being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.”
The global market for second-line treatment in KRAS-mutant, microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer runs between $3-5 billion annually. The study will randomize 60 patients to either the pelareorep combination or a control arm of bevacizumab and FOLFIRI, with objective response rate as the primary endpoint. Oncolytics expects to open the first study site later this month, with additional clinical sites added in quick succession, and preliminary data is expected by year-end 2026.
CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Oncolytics Biotech at:
https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/09/21/is-oncolytics-biotech-the-markets-most-undervalued-cancer-opportunity/
In other industry developments:
Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has received FDA acceptance of its New Drug Application for iberdomide in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The FDA has granted both Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Priority Review, with a target action date of August 17, 2026. Iberdomide has the potential to be the first approved cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent.
“The FDA’s acceptance of this application is a testament to the potential of iberdomide, in combination with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, as a novel, potent, oral treatment option, with a manageable safety profile, for patients with multiple myeloma,” said Cristian Massacesi, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Furthermore, our filing for iberdomide based on the minimal residual disease (MRD) endpoint, underscores our commitment to pioneering new ways of advancing life-saving therapies for patients living with cancer.”
The minimal residual disease (MRD)-based filing endpoint represents a regulatory innovation that could shorten the path to approval for future hematologic oncology therapies.
AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has received U.S. approval for CALQUENCE (acalabrutinib) in combination with venetoclax as the first all-oral, fixed-duration regimen for previously untreated adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The Phase 3 AMPLIFY trial demonstrated a 35% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death versus chemoimmunotherapy.
“Today’s approval delivers the first all-oral, fixed-duration BTK inhibitor-based regimen in the US for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia,” said Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology Business Unit, AstraZeneca. “This CALQUENCE combination has the potential to meaningfully change first-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment decisions and underscores our commitment to improving on the current standard of care for people living with blood cancers.”
AstraZeneca’s oncology division generated $25.6 billion in 2025 revenue, accounting for 44% of total company product revenue and representing 17% growth year over year. The CALQUENCE-venetoclax combination offers patients a chemotherapy-free option with a defined treatment duration.
Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA) and Merck presented five-year data demonstrating that Moderna’s individualized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran autogene, in combination with Merck’s Keytruda, reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% in patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma after complete resection.
“Now with five years of follow-up data, today’s results highlight the potential of a prolonged benefit of the intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA combination in patients with resected high-risk melanoma,” said Kyle Holen, M.D., Moderna’s Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Oncology and Therapeutics. “We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care. We look forward to several additional milestones to come, including the results of our Phase 3 study in adjuvant melanoma in collaboration with Merck, and continued progress across the eight Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in multiple tumor types and patient populations.”
Immutep (NASDAQ: IMMP) has achieved 50% enrollment in its global TACTI-004 Phase 3 trial evaluating eftilagimod alfa (efti) in combination with Keytruda and chemotherapy for first-line non-small cell lung cancer.
“The excellent pace of enrolment globally in the TACTI-004 trial speaks to the promise of efti and the need for more efficacious therapies in the first line setting for patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer,” said Marc Voigt, CEO of Immutep. “Our team continues to work hard to bring this innovative cancer immunotherapy to market and looks forward to delivering on additional important upcoming milestones ahead, including the futility analysis in the first quarter and completing patient enrolment in the third quarter this year.”
Eftilagimod alfa works by activating antigen-presenting cells through the LAG-3 pathway, amplifying the immune response against cancer cells. The mechanism is distinct from checkpoint inhibitors that simply remove brakes on the immune system.
Article Source: usanewsgroup.com
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SOURCES CITED:
1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oncologycancer-drugs-market-to-reach-335-2-billion-by-2033-globally-at-7-2-cagr-allied-market-research-302683974.html
2. https://www.pharmiweb.com/press-release/2026-02-19/oncology-market-value-to-more-than-double-reaching-usd-74817-billion-by-2035
3. https://www.openpr.com/news/4395526/immuno-oncology-market-set-for-remarkable-expansion-as
4. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/17/3239494/28124/en/Immunotherapy-Drugs-Market-Research-and-Forecast-Report-2020-2025-2025-2026-with-Analyst-Recommendations-Adoption-of-AI-in-Drug-Discovery-Combination-Therapies.html
