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Oncology · The big question

How Local Clinics and Big Pharma Are Reshaping Cancer Care

[Podcast] Closing the Distance in Cancer Care

BioPharma Dive1 min readAI-assisted summary
Editorial illustration for [Podcast] Closing the Distance in Cancer Care
Editorial illustration

Summary

When facing a cancer diagnosis, many people assume they must travel to massive academic research hospitals for the best care. However, a growing shift toward community oncology is changing that reality. Local clinics are expanding access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials, allowing people to receive advanced medical care right in their own neighborhoods without the physical and financial burden of extensive travel.

Meanwhile, the science behind these local treatments is reaching a turning point. For the past decade, a class of drugs known as PD1 blockers, which help the immune system detect and attack tumors, has revolutionized cancer care. Yet, the rapid expansion of these medicines has recently slowed, and researchers have found it difficult to improve upon their initial success. To fuel the next wave of breakthroughs, corporate investment funds tied to pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Holdings have stepped up to become some of the most active financial backers of new biotech startups.

It is important to note that these insights reflect recent market analysis and industry commentary rather than new peer-reviewed clinical trial data. Still, they highlight a dynamic shift in how modern therapies are funded and delivered to the public.

Why it matters.

The business maneuvers of large pharmaceutical companies dictate which treatments eventually reach local clinics and how much they cost. For example, AbbVie recently secured legal agreements to delay cheaper generic versions of its drug Rinvoq from entering the market until 2037. This grants the company four additional years of market exclusivity for a medication that generated about $6 billion in sales in 2024. Delays in generic competition often mean higher healthcare costs for patients and insurance providers over a longer period.

These high financial stakes are also driving enormous industry partnerships designed to uncover the next big cure. Bristol Myers recently formed a major licensing pact with Hengrui, marking the second largest deal of its kind in early 2025, trailing only a massive $18.5 billion agreement from AstraZeneca. For patients, this aggressive corporate funding means that while current immunotherapies may be plateauing, billions of dollars are actively being poured into discovering the next generation of accessible, life-saving medicines.

From the source

The story in numbers.

Rinvoq sales in 2024
$6 billion
Year Rinvoq generics are delayed until
2037
AstraZeneca and CSPC licensing tie-up value
$18.5 billion
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