Innovations in CAR-T Therapies Across APAC Region Intensify Global Market Competition

Currently, there are 445 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapies under development by companies headquartered across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company. With progress in research and an increased understanding of cancer biology, the new therapies are expected to make the global market more competitive and cost effective, GlobalData announced in a March 3, 2020 press release.

The company’s research reveals that the majority of the cellular modalities being developed in the APAC region are in the early stages of clinical development and are targeting acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, and refractory multiple myeloma indications.

“Cancer is becoming a serious health concern across the APAC region, because of ageing population, changes in lifestyle associated with economic development, and epidemiologic transition,” said Gowri Prasad Gutti, director of Pharma Intelligence at GlobalData, in the press release. “Clinical outcomes of CAR-T cell therapies have been impressive and have shown remarkable results in relapsed/refractory patients. However, the evidence of efficacy is still being gathered with more clinical trials underway.” 

In 2019, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) approved the first CAR-T cell therapy, Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), for treating ALL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The drug also received approval for treating ALL in Australia in 2018. 

As of Feb. 10, 2020, there are 369 trials that are ongoing in the APAC region, most of which are in Phase I, followed by Phase I/II, according to GlobalData. 

“This suggests that the CAR-T modalities are still under clinical evaluation phase and a considerable amount of data evaluation is required for these to be successful as a new generation of anticancer drugs,” Gutti explained in the press release.

China, by far, leads in the number of CAR-T cell clinical trials, accounting for about 95% of the total clinical trials in the APAC region, the company reported.

“Even though China leads the CAR-T cell therapy development, the approval of CAR-T therapy in China will likely take some time as the majority of the programs are in early stages of development,” Gutti added in the press release.

Source: GlobalData