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Brain Metastases

Oncology
16
Pipeline Programs
29
Companies
21
Clinical Trials
5 recruiting
0
Approved Products

Pipeline by Development Stage

Preclinical
Phase 1
Phase 1/2
Phase 2
Phase 2/3
Phase 3
On Market
0
6
1
8
0
1
0
Early DiscoveryClinical DevelopmentMarket

Drug Modality Breakdown

Small Molecule
556%
Monoclonal Antibody
444%
+ 17 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.

Competitive Landscape

22 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage

Alliance Pharmaceuticals
1 program
1
MemantinePhase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT03550391Recruiting206Est. Dec 2027
MSD
MSDIreland - Ballydine
2 programs
1
1
PembrolizumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody1 trial
VorinostatPhase 1Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00838929Completed17Est. Mar 2015
NCT02886585Active Not Recruiting101Est. Dec 2027
Sharp Therapeutics
Sharp TherapeuticsPA - Pittsburgh
2 programs
1
1
PembrolizumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody
VorinostatPhase 1Small Molecule
Sandoz
SandozAustria - Kundl
1 program
1
BKM120Phase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT02000882Completed10Est. Mar 2019
Colorado Therapeutics
Colorado TherapeuticsCO - Louisville
1 program
1
BrigatinibPhase 2Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT04634110Terminated1Est. Apr 2022
General Oncology
General OncologyMA - Brookline
1 program
1
HA-WBRTPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT04452084Completed42Est. Jul 2024
Exelixis
ExelixisCA - Alameda
1 program
1
NivolumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody
Quadriga BioSciences
Quadriga BioSciencesCA - Los Altos
1 program
1
QBS72SPhase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT05305365Active Not Recruiting21Est. Dec 2027
Pfizer
PfizerNEW YORK, NY
1 program
1
encorafenibPhase 2Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT03911869Terminated13Est. Jan 2022
Prevail Therapeutics
1 program
1
Stereotactic RadiosurgeryPhase 1/21 trial
Active Trials
NCT04923542Recruiting31Est. Dec 2026
NH TherAguix
NH TherAguixFrance - Meylan
1 program
1
AGuIXPhase 11 trial
Active Trials
NCT02820454Completed15Est. Feb 2019
Northwest Biotherapeutics
1 program
1
DCVax-DirectPhase 11 trial
Active Trials
NCT03638765Unknown24Est. Dec 2020
BioTherapeutics Inc
BioTherapeutics IncVA - Blacksburg
1 program
1
DCVax-DirectPhase 1
Bayer
BayerLEVERKUSEN, Germany
1 program
1
SorafenibPhase 1Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00639262Completed35Est. Sep 2012
Heidelberg Pharma
Heidelberg PharmaGermany - Ladenburg
3 programs
RadiationN/A1 trial
Preoperative RadiotherapyPHASE_21 trial
SRSPHASE_21 trial
Active Trials
NCT04084431Suspended40Est. Jul 2025
NCT05871307Recruiting90Est. May 2028
NCT05378633Recruiting190Est. Feb 2028
Siemens Healthineers
Siemens HealthineersGermany - Forchheim
1 program
Stereotactic radiosurgeryN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT05270707Completed968Est. Mar 2025
Autonomous Therapeutics
1 program
neurosurgical resectionN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT05609162Unknown2,000Est. Nov 2024
Kazia Therapeutics
Kazia TherapeuticsAustralia - Sydney
1 program
GDC-0084PHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT04192981Active Not Recruiting21Est. Dec 2026
EpicentRx
EpicentRxCA - La Jolla
1 program
RRx-001 + WBRTPHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT02215512Completed29Est. Nov 2020
Eli Lilly and Company
Eli Lilly and CompanyINDIANAPOLIS, IN
1 program
Stereotactic RadiosurgeryPHASE_1_2
Eisai
EisaiChina - Liaoning
1 program
PembrolizumabPHASE_2Monoclonal Antibody1 trial
Active Trials
NCT05064280Recruiting104Est. Feb 2028
Biogen
BiogenCAMBRIDGE, MA
1 program
berubicin hydrochloridePHASE_21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00538343Terminated14Est. Jan 2009

Trial Timeline

Clinical trial activity over time

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Alliance PharmaceuticalsMemantine
Heidelberg PharmaPreoperative Radiotherapy
Quadriga BioSciencesQBS72S
EisaiPembrolizumab
Colorado TherapeuticsBrigatinib
General OncologyHA-WBRT
Pfizerencorafenib
MSDPembrolizumab
SandozBKM120
Biogenberubicin hydrochloride
Prevail TherapeuticsStereotactic Radiosurgery
Kazia TherapeuticsGDC-0084
Northwest BiotherapeuticsDCVax-Direct
NH TherAguixAGuIX
EpicentRxRRx-001 + WBRT

Showing 15 of 21 trials with date data

Clinical Trials (21)

Total enrollment: 3,972 patients across 21 trials

Stereotactic Radiosurgery Compared With Hippocampal-Avoidant Whole Brain Radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) Plus Memantine for 5 or More Brain Metastases

Start: Nov 2018Est. completion: Dec 2027206 patients
Phase 3Recruiting
NCT05871307Heidelberg PharmaPreoperative Radiotherapy

Neoadjuvant vs. Intraoperative vs. Adjuvant Resection Cavity Radiotherapy of Brain Metastases

Start: Feb 2024Est. completion: May 202890 patients
Phase 2Recruiting

Study Assessing QBS72S For Treating Brain Metastases

Start: Aug 2022Est. completion: Dec 202721 patients
Phase 2Active Not Recruiting
NCT05064280EisaiPembrolizumab

Phase II Study of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Lenvatinib in Patients With TNBC, NSCLC, and Other Tumor Types and Brain Metastases

Start: Jan 2022Est. completion: Feb 2028104 patients
Phase 2Recruiting

Brigatinib Before Brain Irradiation Trial (B3i Trial)

Start: Nov 2020Est. completion: Apr 20221 patients
Phase 2Terminated

Phase 2 Trial in Multiple Brain Metastases Outcomes With HA-SIB-WBRT

Start: Jun 2020Est. completion: Jul 202442 patients
Phase 2Completed

An Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Encorafenib + Binimetinib Evaluating a Standard-dose and a High-dose Regimen in Patients With BRAFV600-mutant Melanoma Brain Metastasis

Start: Apr 2019Est. completion: Jan 202213 patients
Phase 2Terminated
NCT02886585MSDPembrolizumab

Pembrolizumab In Central Nervous System Metastases

Start: Oct 2016Est. completion: Dec 2027101 patients
Phase 2Active Not Recruiting

STAR Cape+BKM120 MBC With Brain Met

Start: May 2014Est. completion: Mar 201910 patients
Phase 2Completed
NCT00538343Biogenberubicin hydrochloride

RTA 744 in Breast Cancer Patients With Progression of Previously Irradiated Brain Metastases

Start: Oct 2007Est. completion: Jan 200914 patients
Phase 2Terminated
NCT04923542Prevail TherapeuticsStereotactic Radiosurgery

Stereotactic Radiation & Abemaciclib in the Management of HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Start: Nov 2021Est. completion: Dec 202631 patients
Phase 1/2Recruiting

GDC-0084 With Radiation Therapy for People With PIK3CA-Mutated Solid Tumor Brain Metastases or Leptomeningeal Metastases

Start: Dec 2019Est. completion: Dec 202621 patients
Phase 1Active Not Recruiting

Dendritic Cell Therapy for Brain Metastases From Breast- or Lung Cancer

Start: Nov 2018Est. completion: Dec 202024 patients
Phase 1Unknown

Radiosensitization of Multiple Brain Metastases Using AGuIX Gadolinium Based Nanoparticles

Start: Mar 2016Est. completion: Feb 201915 patients
Phase 1Completed
NCT02215512EpicentRxRRx-001 + WBRT

Dose-Escalation Study of RRx-001 in Combination With Whole Brain Radiation in Subjects With Brain Metastases

Start: Feb 2015Est. completion: Nov 202029 patients
Phase 1Completed
NCT00838929MSDVorinostat

Study of the Combination of Vorinostat and Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Brain Metastases

Start: Mar 2009Est. completion: Mar 201517 patients
Phase 1Completed

Combination of Sorafenib and Radiation for Brain Metastases and Primary Brain Tumors

Start: Mar 2008Est. completion: Sep 201235 patients
Phase 1Completed
NCT05609162Autonomous Therapeuticsneurosurgical resection

Treatments for Brain Metastases With Poor Prognostic Factors

Start: Dec 2022Est. completion: Nov 20242,000 patients
N/AUnknown
NCT05270707Siemens HealthineersStereotactic radiosurgery

HyperArc Registry Study

Start: Mar 2022Est. completion: Mar 2025968 patients
N/ACompleted

The CyberChallenge Trial How Much is Too Much - What is the Role of Cyberknife Radiosurgery in Patients With Multiple Brain Metastases?

Start: Feb 2022Est. completion: Feb 2028190 patients
N/ARecruiting

Supportive Care With or Without Repeated Whole Brain Radiotherapy in Patients With Recurrent Brain Metastases

Start: Jul 2019Est. completion: Jul 202540 patients
N/ASuspended

Related Jobs in Oncology

Phase Legend

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

Key Insights

1 late-stage (Phase 3) programs, potential near-term approvals
5 actively recruiting trials targeting 3,972 patients
29 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.