Oncology deals show diverging trends between immuno-oncology and targeted therapies

Despite the fervor around immuno-oncology, targeted therapies remain a core focus of oncology dealmaking, and the signs are that the promise of precision medicine is being realized through pharma deals for late-stage assets. In immuno-oncology, competition is driving deals earlier, and companies are showing they’re quite willing to pay up and take on development risk.

BioCentury’s analysis of the 138 partnering deals and 35 M&A events in oncology between January 2017 and September 2020 finds targeted therapies represent more than 40% of the partnering deals, and small companies are competing with pharmas to license the assets. ...