Malignant Melanoma
Pipeline by Development Stage
Drug Modality Breakdown
Oncology is a $53.9B market in consolidation, dominated by a handful of megacap players with blockbuster franchises approaching patent expiration.
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
| # | Product | Company | Revenue | Share | Stage | Trend | LOE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ELIQUIS (apixaban) | Bristol Myers Squibb | $18.3B | 34% | Launch | Stable | 14.9yr |
| 2 | FARXIGA (dapagliflozin) | AstraZeneca | $4.3B | 8% | Peak | Stable | 15.3yr |
| 3 | REVLIMID (lenalidomide) | Bristol Myers Squibb | $3.9B | 7% | LOE Approaching | Declining | 1.7yr |
| 4 | XTANDI (enzalutamide) | Astellas | $2.6B | 5% | Peak | Stable | 10.6yr |
| 5 | IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) | AbbVie | $2.4B | 4% | Peak | Stable | 8.8yr |
Drug Class Breakdown
concentrated in single product
single dominant product
multi-product class, competitive
facing near-term patent cliff
prostate cancer specialty
niche hematologic oncology
near-term LOE exposure
Career Outlook
StableOncology 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
Best For
Hiring Landscape
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.
Top Hiring Companies
By Department
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
Competitive Landscape
33 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage
+3 more companies
Trial Timeline
Clinical trial activity over time
Showing 15 of 49 trials with date data
Clinical Trials (50)
Total enrollment: 7,961 patients across 50 trials
An Open-Label Study of Zelboraf (Vemurafenib) in Patients With Braf V600 Mutation Positive Metastatic Melanoma
An Extension (Rollover) Study of Vemurafenib in Participants With BRAF V600 Mutation-Positive Malignancies Previously Enrolled in an Antecedent Vemurafenib Protocol
Study of Dabrafenib+Trametinib in the Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III BRAF V600+ Melanoma After Complete Resection to Evaluate the Impact on Pyrexia Related Outcomes
Neoadjuvant L19IL2/L19TNF- Pivotal Study
Trial of Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib in Patients With Advanced BRAFV600 Mutant Melanoma
A Study of Vemurafenib in Participants With Metastatic Melanoma
A Study of Vemurafenib (RO5185426) in Comparison With Dacarbazine in Previously Untreated Patients With Metastatic Melanoma (BRIM 3)
A Trial of ABI-007 Versus Dacarbazine in Previously Untreated Patients With Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
DETERMINE Trial Treatment Arm 05: Vemurafenib in Combination With Cobimetinib in Adult Patients With BRAF Positive Cancers.
Binimetinib Encorafenib Pembrolizumab +/- Stereotactic Radiosurgery in BRAFV600 Melanoma With Brain Metastasis
Phase II Trial of Vemurafenib and Sorafenib in Pancreatic Cancer
SCIB1 and iSCIB1+ in Melanoma Patients Receiving Nivolumab With Ipilimumab or SCIB1 With Pembrolizumab (The SCOPE Study)
ML29255 Neoadjuvant Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib Melanoma
IMCgp100-401 Rollover Study
A Study to Detect V-Raf Murine Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog B1 (BRAF) V600 Mutation on Cell-Free Deoxyribonucleic Acid (cfDNA) From Plasma in Participants With Advanced Melanoma
Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Vemurafenib in Combination With Cobimetinib (Continuous and Intermittent) in BRAFV600-mutation Positive Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma
Phase II Study of Cobimetinib in Combination With Vemurafenib in Active Melanoma Brain Metastases
Vemurafenib Plus Cobimetinib in Metastatic Melanoma
S1406 Phase II Study of Irinotecan and Cetuximab With or Without Vemurafenib in BRAF Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Phase 2 Study Assessing Secured Access to Vemurafenib for Patients With Tumors Harboring BRAF Genomic Alterations
A Study of Combination Treatment With HF10 and Ipilimumab in Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma
The Effects of Treatment With Vemurafenib on the Immune System in Advanced Melanoma
Phase 2 Study of Neoadjuvant Vemurafenib in Melanoma Patients With Untreated Brain Metastases
Vemurafenib Neoadjuvant Trial in Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
A Study of Vemurafenib in Participants With BRAF V600 Mutation-Positive Cancers
Vemurafenib (R05185426) in Poor Performance Status Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Melanoma Harboring a V600E/K Mutation
Study Of Zelboraf (Vemurafenib) in Patients With Locally-Advanced, Unresectable, Stage IIIc Or Metastatic Melanoma and Activating Exon 15 BRAF Mutations Other Than V600E
A Study of Vemurafenib in Metastatic Melanoma Participants With Brain Metastases
A Study of Vemurafenib (RO5185426) in Participants With Metastatic or Unresectable Papillary Thyroid Cancer Positive for the BRAF V600 Mutation
A Study of RO5185426 in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
A Study of RO5185426 in Previously Treated Melanoma Patients With Brain Metastases
Intratumoral Application of L19IL2 in Patients With Malignant Melanoma
A Study of Vemurafenib in Previously Treated Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
A Study of Avastin (Bevacizumab) in Combination With Fotemustine in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Phase II Trial of (IL-2) With Priming and (GM-CSF) in Patients With Advanced Melanoma
A Study of MDX-010 (BMS-734016) Administered With or Without Prophylactic Oral Budesonide
GM-CSF as Adjuvant Therapy of Melanoma
CP-675,206 In Patients With Advanced Melanoma
CP-461 in the Treatment of Patients With Advanced Melanoma
AMT-253 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumours
Oral Decitabine/Cedazuridine (DEC-C) in Combination With Nivolumab for Patients With Mucosal Melanoma
A Phase I/II Trial Investigating LOAd703 in Combination With Atezolizumab in Malignant Melanoma
Phase 1b/2 Study of the Combination of IMCgp100 With Durvalumab and/or Tremelimumab in Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma
Study of a DNA Immunotherapy to Treat Melanoma
Combination of Decitabine and Temozolomide in the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Melanoma
Vaccine Treatment for Advanced Malignant Melanoma
Vemurafenib Combined With Whole Brain Radiation Therapy or Radiosurgery in Patients With BRAF Mutation-Positive Melanoma and Brain Metastases
A Study to Learn About the Study Medicine Called PF-08046031 in Advanced Melanoma and Other Solid Tumors
A FIH Study of PF-07284890 in Participants With BRAF V600 Mutant Solid Tumors With and Without Brain Involvement
Phase 1B Study Evaluating Alternative Routes of Administration of CMP-001 in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Participants With Advanced Melanoma
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Key Insights
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.