Skip to main content

Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors

Oncology
26
Pipeline Programs
24
Companies
36
Clinical Trials
1
Approved Products

Pipeline by Development Stage

Preclinical
Phase 1
Phase 1/2
Phase 2
Phase 2/3
Phase 3
On Market
0
4
4
11
0
6
1
Early DiscoveryClinical DevelopmentMarket

Drug Modality Breakdown

Small Molecule
440%
Peptide
330%
Monoclonal Antibody
220%
Vaccine
110%
+ 31 programs with unclassified modality

Oncology is a $53.9B market in consolidation, dominated by a handful of megacap players with blockbuster franchises approaching patent expiration.

$53.9B marketConsolidating→ Stable30 products15 companies

Key Trends

  • Heavy patent cliff exposure (REVLIMID $3.9B LOE 2028, JAKAFI $1.9B LOE 2028)
  • Kinase inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents dominate spend; limited diversification in top 10
  • Clinical trial volume remains exceptionally high (29,145 trials) but concentration in Phase 1-2 signals early-stage pipeline challenges

Career Verdict

Strong near-term opportunity for R&D and medical affairs roles, but competitive landscape and patent cliff urgency favor specialists over generalists.

AI-generated market analysis based on FDA, CMS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and hiring data

Market Leaders

#1ELIQUISStable
$18.3B
Bristol Myers Squibb·Launch15.0yr
#2FARXIGAStable
$4.3B
AstraZeneca·Peak15.4yr
#3REVLIMIDDeclining
$3.9B
Bristol Myers Squibb·LOE Approaching1.8yr
#4XTANDIStable
$2.6B
Astellas·Peak10.7yr
#5IMBRUVICAStable
$2.4B
AbbVie·Peak8.9yr

Drug Class Breakdown

FXa Inhibitors
$18.3B(34%)

concentrated in single product

SGLT2 Inhibitors
$4.3B(8%)

single dominant product

Kinase Inhibitors
$4.0B(7%)

multi-product class, competitive

Immunomodulatory Agents (Cereblon)
$3.9B(7%)

facing near-term patent cliff

Androgen Receptor Antagonists
$2.6B(5%)

prostate cancer specialty

Protein Kinase Inhibitors
$2.4B(4%)

niche hematologic oncology

JAK Inhibitors
$1.9B(4%)

near-term LOE exposure

Career Outlook

Stable

Oncology remains a premium therapeutic area but faces structural headwinds: top 10 products account for >80% of spend, patent cliffs loom (REVLIMID 2028), and late-stage pipeline thinness suggests slower near-term growth. However, high trial volume and consolidation create demand for specialized expertise in regulatory, clinical operations, and lifecycle management. Pharma professionals with kinase inhibitor, immunomodulatory, or ADC experience are in highest demand.

Breaking In

Entry-level candidates should target CROs (Thermo Fisher, IQVIA), emerging biotech (BeiGene, BeOne), or contract manufacturing; oncology specialization requires demonstrated domain knowledge.

For Experienced Professionals

Experienced professionals should focus on lifecycle/patent strategy roles (high salary, low headcount) or pivot to emerging modalities (ADCs, bispecifics) to avoid commoditization in crowded kinase inhibitor space.

In-Demand Skills

Regulatory strategy & PDUFA navigationKinase inhibitor development (small molecule)Clinical trial operations & site managementLifecycle management & patent strategyMedical affairs (oncology-specific science)Manufacturing scale-up (small molecule & biotech)

Best For

Regulatory Affairs ManagerClinical Operations ManagerMedical Science Liaison (MSL) — OncologyLifecycle ManagerR&D Scientist (medicinal chemistry, ADME)Manufacturing Engineer

Hiring Landscape

$102K–$266K

Oncology hiring is actively concentrated at Thermo Fisher Scientific (CRO/CDMO services, 559 jobs), AstraZeneca (208 jobs), and emerging biotech players like BeiGene (185 jobs). Commercial roles dominate (412 jobs, $136K avg) but R&D positions offer the highest salary premium ($199K avg, 347 roles). Patent cliff urgency is creating acute demand for regulatory, CMC, and lifecycle management expertise.

1,946
Open Roles
5
Companies Hiring
5
Departments

Top Hiring Companies

208Stable
185Growing
167Growing
147Growing

By Department

Commercial(21%)
$136K
Research & Development(18%)
$199K
Clinical Operations(5%)
$181K
Medical Affairs(4%)
$266K
Manufacturing(5%)
$102K

Strong near-term hiring momentum, especially in CRO/CDMO and emerging biotech; Medical Affairs offers highest compensation but limited headcount.

On Market (1)

Approved therapies currently available

Merck & Co.
TEMODARApproved
temozolomide
Merck & Co.
Alkylating Drug [EPC]intravenous2009

Competitive Landscape

24 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage

Merck & Co.
Merck & Co.RAHWAY, NJ
1 program
1
temozolomidePHASE_3
Alliance Pharmaceuticals
9 programs
3
3
1
concomitant temozolomidePhase 31 trial
bevacizumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody1 trial
irinotecan hydrochloridePhase 21 trial
lomustinePhase 21 trial
carmustinePhase 1/21 trial
+4 more programs
Active Trials
NCT01004887Completed631Est. Jan 2019
NCT01004523Completed135Est. Mar 2013
NCT00027612Completed58Est. Jul 2009
+5 more trials
Angeles Therapeutics
Angeles TherapeuticsCA - Los Angeles
3 programs
2
1
carboplatinPhase 31 trial
filgrastimPhase 21 trial
filgrastimPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00006258CompletedEst. Jan 2005
NCT00392886Unknown120
Colorado Therapeutics
Colorado TherapeuticsCO - Louisville
2 programs
1
1
carmustinePhase 31 trial
aldesleukinPhase 11 trial
Active Trials
NCT00002572Completed10Est. Dec 1999
NCT00003788Unknown270
Pfizer
PfizerNEW YORK, NY
2 programs
1
1
leflunomidePhase 31 trial
prinomastatPhase 2Small Molecule2 trials
Active Trials
NCT00004200Completed
NCT00004199Completed
NCT00003293CompletedEst. May 2001
MSD
MSDIreland - Ballydine
1 program
1
temozolomidePhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT00626990Active Not Recruiting751Est. Dec 2029
Sharp Therapeutics
Sharp TherapeuticsPA - Pittsburgh
1 program
1
temozolomidePhase 3
Sandoz
SandozAustria - Kundl
3 programs
1
1
1
vatalanibPhase 2Small Molecule1 trial
AEE788Phase 1/21 trial
yttrium Y 90-edotreotidePhase 1Peptide1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00006368Completed60Est. Nov 2003
NCT00107237Completed16Est. Jun 2006
NCT00348790Completed25Est. Jul 2013
Innovation Pharmaceuticals
1 program
1
BNCTPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00974987Completed32Est. Feb 2016
Adnexus
AdnexusTX - ZZ
1 program
1
CT-322Phase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00562419Unknown72Est. Dec 2011
Neurocrine Biosciences
1 program
1
interleukin-4 PE38KDEL cytotoxinPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00014677CompletedEst. Jul 2008
Lisata Therapeutics
Lisata TherapeuticsNJ - Basking Ridge
1 program
1
lymphokine-activated killer cellsPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00814593Withdrawn0Est. Sep 2011
Y-mAbs Therapeutics
Y-mAbs TherapeuticsNY - New York
1 program
1
Iodine I 131 MOAB 8H9Phase 11 trial
Active Trials
NCT00089245Terminated177Est. Feb 2022
Baxter
BaxterCosta Rica - Cartago
1 program
1
filgrastimPhase 1
Knight Therapeutics
Knight TherapeuticsQC - Montréal
3 programs
MelphalanPHASE_11 trial
trastuzumabPHASE_1_2Monoclonal Antibody1 trial
RituxanPHASE_21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00253721Terminated21Est. Dec 2016
NCT00397501Withdrawn0Est. Oct 2013
NCT00074165Terminated17Est. Dec 2010
Novartis
NovartisBASEL, Switzerland
2 programs
yttrium Y 90-edotreotidePHASE_1Peptide
vatalanibPHASE_2Small Molecule
Eppendorf
EppendorfGermany - Hamburg
1 program
carboplatinN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00303810Completed567
Kazia Therapeutics
Kazia TherapeuticsAustralia - Sydney
1 program
GDC-0084PHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT03696355Completed27Est. Sep 2022
PTC Therapeutics
1 program
VEGF inhibitor PTC299PHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT01158300Completed28Est. Jan 2015
Heidelberg Pharma
Heidelberg PharmaGermany - Ladenburg
1 program
cilengitidePHASE_1Peptide1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00884598Completed19Est. Oct 2012
Baxter International
1 program
filgrastimPHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT00007813Completed21Est. Feb 2005
Immatics Biotechnologies
Immatics BiotechnologiesGermany - Munich
1 program
glioblastoma multiforme multipeptide vaccine IMA950PHASE_1Vaccine1 trial
Active Trials
NCT01222221Completed45Est. Feb 2015
City Therapeutics
City TherapeuticsMA - Cambridge
1 program
therapeutic autologous lymphocytesPHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT00730613CompletedEst. Aug 2011
Bristol Myers Squibb
1 program
CT-322PHASE_21 trial
Active Trials
NCT01146171Withdrawn0Est. Jan 2015

Trial Timeline

Clinical trial activity over time

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
Alliance Pharmaceuticalsconcomitant temozolomide
MSDtemozolomide
Angeles Therapeuticscarboplatin
Pfizerprinomastat
Colorado Therapeuticscarmustine
Pfizerleflunomide
Innovation PharmaceuticalsBNCT
Lisata Therapeuticslymphokine-activated killer cells
Alliance Pharmaceuticalsbevacizumab
AdnexusCT-322
Sandozvatalanib
Knight TherapeuticsRituxan
Neurocrine Biosciencesinterleukin-4 PE38KDEL cytotoxin
Angeles Therapeuticsfilgrastim
Pfizerprinomastat

Showing 15 of 36 trials with date data

Clinical Trials (36)

Total enrollment: 3,690 patients across 36 trials

NCT00887146Alliance Pharmaceuticalsconcomitant temozolomide

Radiation Therapy With Concomitant and Adjuvant Temozolomide Versus Radiation Therapy With Adjuvant PCV Chemotherapy in Patients With Anaplastic Glioma or Low Grade Glioma

Start: Sep 2009Est. completion: Oct 2029305 patients
Phase 3Active Not Recruiting
NCT00626990MSDtemozolomide

Phase III Trial of Anaplastic Glioma Without 1p/19q Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH)

Start: Dec 2007Est. completion: Dec 2029751 patients
Phase 3Active Not Recruiting

Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Etoposide Followed By an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Young Patients With Previously Untreated Malignant Brain Tumors

Start: Mar 2004120 patients
Phase 3Unknown

Prinomastat and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Recurrent Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Start: Mar 1999
Phase 3Completed

Surgery, Radiation Therapy, and Chemotherapy With or Without Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed or Recurrent Malignant Supratentorial Gliomas

Start: Apr 1998270 patients
Phase 3Unknown

SU-101 Compared With Procarbazine in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Feb 1998Est. completion: May 2001
Phase 3Completed

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, Radiation Therapy, and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Sep 2009Est. completion: Feb 201632 patients
Phase 2Completed
NCT00814593Lisata Therapeuticslymphokine-activated killer cells

Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells or Gliadel Wafer in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme That Can Be Removed by Surgery

Start: Nov 2008Est. completion: Sep 20110
Phase 2Withdrawn

Bevacizumab and Sorafenib in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Sep 2008Est. completion: Feb 201454 patients
Phase 2Completed

CT-322 in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme and Combination Therapy With Irinotecan

Start: Oct 2007Est. completion: Dec 201172 patients
Phase 2Unknown

Vatalanib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Progressive Meningioma

Start: May 2006Est. completion: Jul 201325 patients
Phase 2Completed

Treating Patients With Recurrent PCNSL With Carboplatin/BBBD and Adding Rituxan To The Treatment Regimen

Start: Jan 2003Est. completion: Dec 201017 patients
Phase 2Terminated
NCT00014677Neurocrine Biosciencesinterleukin-4 PE38KDEL cytotoxin

NBI-3001 Followed by Surgery in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Mar 2001Est. completion: Jul 2008
Phase 2Completed

Chemotherapy, Surgery, Radiation Therapy and Bone Marrow or Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation in Treating Patients With Primary CNS Germ Cell Tumors

Start: Dec 2000
Phase 2Unknown

Prinomastat Plus Temozolomide Following Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Oct 1999
Phase 2Completed
NCT00003134Alliance Pharmaceuticalsirinotecan hydrochloride

Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Recurrent Glioma

Start: Jan 1998Est. completion: Jan 200964 patients
Phase 2Completed

Combination Chemotherapy Followed by Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Medulloblastoma, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor, or Ependymoma

Start: Nov 1997Est. completion: Jan 2005
Phase 2Completed

Chemotherapy Followed by Radiation Therapy in Treating Adults With Supratentorial Glioma

Start: Jul 1996Est. completion: Jul 200443 patients
Phase 2Completed

BBBD Followed By Methotrexate and Carboplatin With or Without Trastuzumab in Treating Women With Breast Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain

Start: Oct 2013Est. completion: Oct 20130
Phase 1/2Withdrawn

Everolimus, Temozolomide, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Start: Mar 2009Est. completion: Nov 2019122 patients
Phase 1/2Completed

AEE788 and Everolimus in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Relapsed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Oct 2003Est. completion: Jun 200616 patients
Phase 1/2Completed

Irinotecan Plus Radiation Therapy Followed By Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Jul 2002Est. completion: Jul 200958 patients
Phase 1/2Completed

Study of GDC-0084 in Pediatric Patients With Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or Diffuse Midline Gliomas

Start: Nov 2018Est. completion: Sep 202227 patients
Phase 1Completed

Japanese Phase 1 Study of BMS-844203 (CT322)

Start: Nov 2013Est. completion: Jan 20150
Phase 1Withdrawn
NCT01158300PTC TherapeuticsVEGF inhibitor PTC299

PTC299 in Treating Young Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Primary Central Nervous System Tumors

Start: Nov 2010Est. completion: Jan 201528 patients
Phase 1Completed
NCT01222221Immatics Biotechnologiesglioblastoma multiforme multipeptide vaccine IMA950

Vaccine Therapy, Temozolomide, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme

Start: Jul 2010Est. completion: Feb 201545 patients
Phase 1Completed

Cilengitide and Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Metastases From Lung Cancer

Start: Dec 2008Est. completion: Oct 201219 patients
Phase 1Completed
NCT00089245Y-mAbs TherapeuticsIodine I 131 MOAB 8H9

Radiolabeled MAB Therapy in Patients With Refractory, Recurrent, or Advanced CNS or Leptomeningeal Cancer

Start: Feb 2004Est. completion: Feb 2022177 patients
Phase 1Terminated
NCT00730613City Therapeuticstherapeutic autologous lymphocytes

Cellular Adoptive Immunotherapy Using Genetically Modified T-Lymphocytes in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory High-Grade Malignant Glioma

Start: Feb 2002Est. completion: Aug 2011
Phase 1Completed

Melphalan With BBBD in Treating Patients With Brain Malignancies

Start: May 1998Est. completion: Dec 201621 patients
Phase 1Terminated
NCT00006368Sandozyttrium Y 90-edotreotide

Yttrium Y 90 SMT 487 in Treating Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Cancer

Start: Jan 1998Est. completion: Nov 200360 patients
Phase 1Completed

Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation Plus Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Solid Tumors

Start: May 1997Est. completion: Feb 200521 patients
Phase 1Completed

Cytotoxic T Cells and Interleukin-2 in Treating Adult Patients With Recurrent Brain Tumors

Start: Nov 1994Est. completion: Dec 199910 patients
Phase 1Completed

Radiation Therapy and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Medulloblastoma, Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor, or Ependymoma

Start: Jan 2001567 patients
N/ACompleted
NCT01004523Alliance Pharmaceuticalsfluorescence in situ hybridization

Study of Tissue and Blood Samples From Patients With Low-Grade Glioma

Start: Dec 1995Est. completion: Mar 2013135 patients
N/ACompleted
NCT01004887Alliance Pharmaceuticalsdiagnostic laboratory biomarker analysis

Study of Tissue and Blood Samples From Patients With High-Grade Glioma

Start: Nov 1995Est. completion: Jan 2019631 patients
N/ACompleted

Related Jobs in Oncology

Phase Legend

PreclinicalLab & animal studies
Phase 1Safety & dosing
Phase 2Efficacy testing
Phase 3Large-scale trials
On MarketApproved & available

Key Insights

6 late-stage (Phase 3) programs, potential near-term approvals
24 companies competing in this space

The information on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from FDA, DailyMed, and other government databases. Adverse event data from FAERS does not establish causation. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.