This blog is based on the recent Frost & Sullivan analysis, “Growth Opportunities in the Immuno-oncology Therapeutics Market, 2024–2030,” authored by Surbhi Gupta, Industry Principal, Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice.
The global burden of cancer is climbing at an unprecedented rate. Worldwide cancer incidence is expected to surpass 35 million new cases by 2050, a 77% rise from 2022 levels. While aging populations and lifestyle-related risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, tobacco use, obesity, and air pollution, are fuelling this growth, the therapeutic landscape is rapidly evolving.
Discover the latest innovations, breakthroughs, and high-growth opportunities in immuno-oncology from AI-driven trials to global market hotspots.
Click here to access Frost & Sullivan’s full analysis
Among the most transformative innovations is immuno-oncology (I-O), a field that harnesses the body’s immune system to detect, target, and destroy cancer cells. Between checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), bispecific antibodies, cancer vaccines, and cell therapies like CAR-T and TCR, the market is undergoing explosive innovation.
Frost & Sullivan’s latest research projects strong global growth in I-O therapeutics through 2030, driven by technological advancements, strategic collaborations, and expanded clinical applications.
If the world is facing a 77% surge in cancer cases, how will your organization position itself to deliver solutions before the tipping point is reached?
The Industry at a Turning Point
More than 5,000 I-O drug candidates are currently in development. Clinical strategies are shifting from single-agent trials to combination regimens, pairing immunotherapies with chemotherapy, radiation, or other I-O agents, to overcome resistance and extend survival.
Yet, challenges persist:
- Many promising therapies fail in trials due to heterogeneous patient populations.
- Preclinical models often fail to predict human immune responses.
- Conventional trial designs may not adapt quickly enough when early signals indicate low efficacy.
Emerging solutions, including AI-driven biomarker selection, real-time safety monitoring, adaptive trial designs, and distributed clinical trials, are helping address these barriers.
Could adaptive, AI-driven trial designs be the key to unlocking faster, safer cancer drug approvals and are you ready to integrate them?
Key Strategic Imperatives Shaping the Industry
- Customer Value Chain Compression
Oncology stakeholders are streamlining the patient journey, integrating diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up into unified care pathways. This requires coordination between hospitals, research labs, and biotech partners, with a focus on personalized medicine.
- Disruptive Technologies
Advances such as single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics are deepening our understanding of the tumor microenvironment. Partnerships between big pharma and AI-driven biotech (e.g., Sanofi–Owkin, GSK–Tempus) are accelerating biomarker discovery and patient-trial matching.
- Competitive Intensity
With 88.5% of 2024 revenues concentrated among the top 10 players, including Merck & Co., Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, and AstraZeneca—the competitive race is fierce. Strategic alliances, mergers, and acquisitions are common as companies seek to expand pipelines and secure novel assets.
What’s your strategy to differentiate in a market dominated by giants without being overshadowed?
Regional and Global Trends
In 2022, nearly 49% of new cancer cases occurred in Asia, and by 2050, low-Human Development Index (HDI) countries may see cancer incidence nearly triple. Disparities in access to diagnostics, advanced therapies, and oncology infrastructure remain stark, driving calls for investment and global collaboration.
Technology Trends Driving Growth
- Early Diagnosis to Expand Patient Pools
AI-powered imaging (e.g., Lunit INSIGHT, Qure.ai) and liquid biopsies (e.g., Guardant Health, GRAIL) are enabling earlier detection and more precise treatment planning.
- AI and Blockchain in Drug Discovery
From blockchain-secured data sharing to AI-driven patient matching (Deep 6 AI, Mendel.ai), clinical trial recruitment is becoming faster and more accurate.
- AI-powered Patient Support
Digital twins, wearable sensors, and connected drug-delivery devices are improving adherence, predicting adverse events, and personalizing care.
Top Growth Opportunities in I-O Therapeutics
- Expanding Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in Early-stage Cancer
Neoadjuvant and pre-operative immunotherapy is gaining traction, particularly in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials like NEOMEL demonstrate high pathologic complete response rates, suggesting a strong future for ICIs in earlier treatment settings.
- Advancing Multi-biomarker Approaches
The integration of multiple biomarkers, PD-L1, TMB, MSI-H, gene expression profiles, improves patient stratification and response prediction. This strategy addresses the limitations of single-marker testing and supports precision medicine.
Are you leveraging the full power of multi-biomarker strategies to outpace competitors in patient targeting and trial success?
Challenges and Restraints
Despite strong momentum, the market faces hurdles:
- Therapeutic resistance to established agents like PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
- Immune-related toxicities requiring improved safety monitoring.
- Regulatory complexity in trial design and approvals.
- Economic barriers—particularly in genomic testing and advanced diagnostics.
Competitive Landscape
Number of Competitors: 12 with revenue greater than $1 billion
Leading Competitors: Merck & Co., Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Pfizer, Gilead Sciences, Amgen, Merck KGaA
Revenue Share of Top 10 Competitors (2024): 88.5%
Competitive Factors: Cost, efficacy, technology, safety, resistance, line of treatment, immuno-toxicity
Notable M&A Activity: Novartis acquired MorphoSys ($2.91 billion), J&J acquired Ambrx ($2.4 billion).
The Road Ahead
From next-generation immune checkpoints (LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT) to allogeneic cell therapies and multi-specific antibodies, the I-O therapeutics pipeline is more dynamic than ever. As AI-driven insights, biomarker precision, and global collaboration converge, the sector is positioned for sustained double-digit growth through 2030.
Which growth opportunity aligns most closely with your capabilities and how soon can you act before the window narrows?
For stakeholders, whether biotech innovators, pharma giants, or healthcare providers, the message is clear: now is the time to invest in scalable, patient-centric immuno-oncology strategies.
Key Takeaways for Industry Players
- Prioritize biomarker-integrated clinical trials to improve outcomes and accelerate approvals.
- Expand I-O application into early-stage cancers to maximize long-term survival benefits.
- Leverage AI, digital health, and decentralized trial models to improve patient recruitment and retention.
- Forge strategic partnerships to access new modalities, markets, and technologies.
Discover the latest innovations, breakthroughs, and high-growth opportunities in immuno-oncology from AI-driven trials to global market hotspots. Click here to access Frost & Sullivan’s full analysis and stay ahead in the race for cancer care leadership.
