Solid Cancers
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 | 15.0yr |
| 2 | FARXIGA (dapagliflozin) | AstraZeneca | $4.3B | 8% | Peak | Stable | 15.4yr |
| 3 | REVLIMID (lenalidomide) | Bristol Myers Squibb | $3.9B | 7% | LOE Approaching | Declining | 1.8yr |
| 4 | XTANDI (enzalutamide) | Astellas | $2.6B | 5% | Peak | Stable | 10.7yr |
| 5 | IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) | AbbVie | $2.4B | 4% | Peak | Stable | 8.9yr |
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.
Competitive Landscape
2 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage
Trial Timeline
Clinical trial activity over time
Clinical Trials (13)
Total enrollment: 1,208 patients across 13 trials
A Dose-escalation, Dose-finding, and Expansion Study of XL495 in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
GDC-0980 in Combination With a Fluoropyrimidine, Oxaliplatin, and Bevacizumab in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
A Dose Escalation Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of GDC-0032 in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and in Combination With Endocrine Therapy in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
A Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of GDC-0917 Administered to Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors or Lymphoma
A Study of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of MINT1526A, Administered Intravenously As a Single Agent and in Combination With Bevacizumab to Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
A Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of GDC-0623 in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
A Study Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of GDC-0068 in Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors
A Study of Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor GDC-0449 in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors That Are Refractory to Standard Therapy or for Whom No Standard Therapy Exists
A Study to Evaluate Corrected QT Interval and Drug-Drug Interaction of Trastuzumab on Carboplatin in the Presence of Docetaxel in Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic or Locally Advanced Inoperable Cancer
A Study of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of MEGF0444A Administered to Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
A Study of MNRP1685A in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
A Study of the Safety and Pharmacology of MetMAb (PRO143966), a Monovalent Antagonist Antibody to the Receptor C-Met, Administered Intravenously in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
A Study of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of GDC-0152, Administered Intravenously to Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Malignancies
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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.