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Thyroid Cancer

Oncology
14
Pipeline Programs
21
Companies
30
Clinical Trials
3 recruiting
0
Approved Products

Pipeline by Development Stage

Preclinical
Phase 1
Phase 1/2
Phase 2
Phase 2/3
Phase 3
On Market
0
3
0
10
0
1
0
Early DiscoveryClinical DevelopmentMarket

Drug Modality Breakdown

Small Molecule
1083%
Monoclonal Antibody
217%
+ 24 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

21 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage

Exelixis
ExelixisCA - Alameda
1 program
1
XL184Phase 31 trial
Active Trials
NCT00704730Completed330Est. Sep 2020
UNION therapeutics
UNION therapeuticsDenmark - Hellerup
4 programs
1
2
Anlotinib hydrochloridePhase 2
ApatinibPhase 2Small Molecule1 trial
177Lu-CTR-FAPI therapyPhase 11 trial
Ultrasonic Surgical SystemN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT07235553Completed136Est. Feb 2018
NCT07438847Recruiting12Est. Dec 2027
NCT02731352Completed20Est. Feb 2021
Sandoz
SandozAustria - Kundl
2 programs
2
EverolimusPhase 21 trial
RAD001Phase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT01270321Completed42Est. Feb 2019
NCT00936858Completed50Est. Feb 2020
MSD
MSDIreland - Ballydine
2 programs
2
LenvatinibPhase 2Small Molecule
PembrolizumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody1 trial
Active Trials
NCT05119296Active Not Recruiting12Est. Sep 2026
Sharp Therapeutics
Sharp TherapeuticsPA - Pittsburgh
2 programs
2
LenvatinibPhase 2Small Molecule
PembrolizumabPhase 2Monoclonal Antibody
Pfizer
PfizerNEW YORK, NY
1 program
1
AG 6013736Phase 21 trial
Active Trials
NCT00176748Completed3Est. Jun 2009
Prevail Therapeutics
1 program
1
SelpercatinibPhase 2Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT05668962Recruiting30Est. Jan 2026
Colorado Therapeutics
Colorado TherapeuticsCO - Louisville
1 program
1
BexarotenePhase 1
SOTIO Biotech
SOTIO BiotechCzech Republic - Prague
1 program
1
Nanrilkefusp alfaPhase 11 trial
Active Trials
NCT04234113Terminated115Est. Nov 2024
Eisai
EisaiChina - Liaoning
7 programs
LenvatinibN/ASmall Molecule1 trial
BexarotenePHASE_11 trial
E7080 capsulePHASE_21 trial
Irofulven + capecitabinePHASE_21 trial
LenvatinibPHASE_2Small Molecule1 trial
+2 more programs
Active Trials
NCT03533361Approved For Marketing
NCT00718770Completed10Est. Feb 2013
NCT01728623Completed51Est. Oct 2015
+4 more trials
Sanofi
SanofiPARIS, France
3 programs
AZD6244N/A
Interdisciplinary Team-Based ApproachPHASE_1_21 trial
Euthyroid GroupPHASE_21 trial
Active Trials
NCT01994200Withdrawn0Est. Jun 2016
NCT00181168Completed63Est. Sep 2003
Chia Tai TianQing Pharmaceutical Group
2 programs
Anlotinib hydrochloridePHASE_21 trial
AL2846 CapsulesPHASE_31 trial
Active Trials
NCT04952493Unknown42Est. Jul 2024
NCT06860971Recruiting144Est. Jan 2028
Innovation Pharmaceuticals
1 program
AI-enabled clinical assistantN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT07234539Enrolling By Invitation70Est. Apr 2026
AstraZeneca
AstraZenecaCAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom
1 program
AZD6244N/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00970359Completed24Est. Apr 2013
Angeles Therapeutics
Angeles TherapeuticsCA - Los Angeles
1 program
Decision navigation toolN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT06411834Not Yet Recruiting50Est. Jan 2027
Knight Therapeutics
Knight TherapeuticsQC - Montréal
1 program
Molecular Markers in Thyroid CancerN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT00598364Completed847Est. Oct 2010
Heidelberg Pharma
Heidelberg PharmaGermany - Ladenburg
1 program
Redifferentiation with retinoid acidN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT03363347Completed25Est. Dec 2014
Genomics
GenomicsUK - Oxford
1 program
ctDNA in Patients With Thyroid NodulesN/A1 trial
Active Trials
NCT02778412Terminated66Est. Aug 2017
Celldex Therapeutics
1 program
KTN3379PHASE_11 trial
Active Trials
NCT02456701Completed7Est. Oct 2016
Kura Oncology
Kura OncologySAN DIEGO, CA
1 program
TipifarnibPHASE_2Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT02383927Completed63Est. Dec 2020
Genentech
GenentechCA - Oceanside
1 program
VemurafenibPHASE_2Small Molecule1 trial
Active Trials
NCT01709292Active Not Recruiting24Est. Sep 2026

Trial Timeline

Clinical trial activity over time

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Chia Tai TianQing Pharmaceutical GroupAL2846 Capsules
EisaiLenvatinib
ExelixisXL184
Prevail TherapeuticsSelpercatinib
MSDPembrolizumab
Chia Tai TianQing Pharmaceutical GroupAnlotinib hydrochloride
EisaiLenvatinib
UNION therapeuticsApatinib
Kura OncologyTipifarnib
GenentechVemurafenib
EisaiE7080 capsule
SandozEverolimus
SandozRAD001
EisaiLenvatinib
PfizerAG 6013736

Showing 15 of 29 trials with date data

Clinical Trials (30)

Total enrollment: 3,021 patients across 30 trials

A Study of AL2846 Capsule Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Advanced Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Start: Apr 2025Est. completion: Jan 2028144 patients
Phase 3Recruiting

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Trial of Lenvatinib (E7080) in 131I-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC)

Start: Mar 2011Est. completion: Mar 2019392 patients
Phase 3Completed

Efficacy of XL184 (Cabozantinib) in Advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jun 2008Est. completion: Sep 2020330 patients
Phase 3Completed

Restor. I-131 Upt. + Selpercatinib in RET F-P RAI-R TC

Start: Mar 2023Est. completion: Jan 202630 patients
Phase 2Recruiting
NCT05119296MSDPembrolizumab

Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab in Metastatic or Locally Advanced Anaplastic/Undifferentiated Thyroid Cancer

Start: Feb 2022Est. completion: Sep 202612 patients
Phase 2Active Not Recruiting

Anlotinib or Penpulimab in Combination With RAI for DTC

Start: Sep 2021Est. completion: Jul 202442 patients
Phase 2Unknown

A Trial of Lenvatinib (E7080) in Subjects With Iodine-131 Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer to Evaluate Whether an Oral Starting Dose of 18 Milligram (mg) Daily Will Provide Comparable Efficacy to a 24 mg Starting Dose, But Have a Better Safety Profile

Start: Jun 2017Est. completion: Sep 2020241 patients
Phase 2Completed

Study of Apatinib in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Start: Mar 2016Est. completion: Feb 202120 patients
Phase 2Completed

Phase II Study of Tipifarnib in Squamous Head and Neck Cancer With HRAS Mutations

Start: May 2015Est. completion: Dec 202063 patients
Phase 2Completed

Vemurafenib Neoadjuvant Trial in Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer

Start: Nov 2012Est. completion: Sep 202624 patients
Phase 2Active Not Recruiting
NCT01728623EisaiE7080 capsule

A Study of E7080 in Subjects With Advanced Thyroid Cancer

Start: Sep 2012Est. completion: Oct 201551 patients
Phase 2Completed

Pasireotide & Everolimus in Adult Patients With Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated & Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Start: Nov 2010Est. completion: Feb 201942 patients
Phase 2Completed

RAD001 for Patients With Radioiodine Refractory Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jul 2009Est. completion: Feb 202050 patients
Phase 2Completed

Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Oral Lenvatinib in Medullary and Iodine-131 Refractory, Unresectable Differentiated Thyroid Cancers, Stratified by Histology

Start: Nov 2008Est. completion: Mar 2019117 patients
Phase 2Completed

Treatment for Patients With Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jul 2005Est. completion: Jun 20093 patients
Phase 2Completed
NCT00124527EisaiIrofulven + capecitabine

Study of Irofulven Plus Capecitabine in Patients With Advanced Thyroid Cancer

Start: Mar 2005Est. completion: Aug 200635 patients
Phase 2Completed
NCT00181168SanofiEuthyroid Group

Recombinant Thyrotropin PET-CT Fusion Scanning in Thyroid Cancer

Start: Mar 2001Est. completion: Sep 200363 patients
Phase 2Completed
NCT01994200SanofiInterdisciplinary Team-Based Approach

Developing and Implementing an Interdisciplinary Team-Based Care Approach (ITCA-ThyCa) for Thyroid Cancer Patients

Start: Sep 2014Est. completion: Jun 20160
Phase 1/2Withdrawn
NCT07438847UNION therapeutics177Lu-CTR-FAPI therapy

177Lu-CTR-FAPI for the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jan 2026Est. completion: Dec 202712 patients
Phase 1Recruiting
NCT04234113SOTIO BiotechNanrilkefusp alfa

Study of Nanrilkefusp Alfa Alone and With Pembrolizumab in Adult Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors

Start: Jun 2019Est. completion: Nov 2024115 patients
Phase 1Terminated

Enhancing Radioiodine Incorporation Into BRAF Mutant Thyroid Cancers With the Combination of Vemurafenib and KTN3379

Start: Jun 2015Est. completion: Oct 20167 patients
Phase 1Completed

A Pilot Clinical Trial for Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer - Correlation to Retinoid and Peroxisome-proliferator-activated Receptor (PPARy) Expression

Start: Nov 2008Est. completion: Feb 201310 patients
Phase 1Completed

Expanded Access Program With Lenvatinib for the Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Brazil

N/AApproved For Marketing
NCT07234539Innovation PharmaceuticalsAI-enabled clinical assistant

Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence-enabled Clinical Assistant to Support Thyroid Cancer Management

Start: Oct 2025Est. completion: Apr 202670 patients
N/AEnrolling By Invitation
NCT06411834Angeles TherapeuticsDecision navigation tool

Mapping Patient Decision-making in Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jan 2025Est. completion: Jan 202750 patients
N/ANot Yet Recruiting
NCT07235553UNION therapeuticsUltrasonic Surgical System

Non-inferiority Investigation to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Ultrasonic Surgical System

Start: Mar 2017Est. completion: Feb 2018136 patients
N/ACompleted
NCT02778412GenomicsctDNA in Patients With Thyroid Nodules

ctDNA in Patients With Thyroid Nodules

Start: May 2016Est. completion: Aug 201766 patients
N/ATerminated

Reacquisition of Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Uptake of RAI-Refractory Metastatic Thyroid Cancers by Pretreatment With the Selective MEK Inhibitor AZD6244

Start: Sep 2009Est. completion: Apr 201324 patients
N/ACompleted
NCT03363347Heidelberg PharmaRedifferentiation with retinoid acid

BRAF V600E and Redifferentiation Therapy in Radioiodine-refractory Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Start: Jan 2008Est. completion: Dec 201425 patients
N/ACompleted
NCT00598364Knight TherapeuticsMolecular Markers in Thyroid Cancer

Molecular Markers in Thyroid Cancer

Start: Feb 2007Est. completion: Oct 2010847 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

1 late-stage (Phase 3) programs, potential near-term approvals
3 actively recruiting trials targeting 3,021 patients
21 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.