Daiichi has successfully established ADCs (Antibody-Drug Conjugates) as a significant therapeutic approach, overcoming previous years of underwhelming results. Even though companies like Pfizer and Roche gained ADC approvals before Daiichi introduced its first product, Enhertu (developed in partnership with AstraZeneca), none of these earlier treatments achieved the same level of impact as Daiichi’s breakthrough innovation.
Through Enhertu, Daiichi and AstraZeneca have introduced a novel category of breast cancer patients known as HER2-low, which has led to a remarkable increase in sales. The demand for Enhertu is cited as the primary factor driving a remarkable 157% surge in sales within Daiichi’s oncology division during the first quarter.
Related: Enhertu In Breast Cancer: A Breakthrough Treatment For HER2-Positive And HER2-Low
Experts from GlobalData project that Daiichi will continue to dominate the ADC arena, with sales of this therapeutic modality anticipated to surpass $10 billion by 2029. This projection positions Daiichi as the clear frontrunner in the market, with Seagen and Roche following at a considerable distance in second and third places, respectively. GlobalData’s forecast predicts that Seagen’s ADC sales will reach $5.8 billion, while Roche’s will amount to $3.6 billion.
In recent communications, Daiichi has projected its oncology sales to exceed ¥900 billion ($6.3 billion) in its 2025 fiscal year. While Enhertu forms the foundation of this forecast, Daiichi also expects contributions from datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) and, to a lesser extent, patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd). While Dato-DXd is a collaborative effort with AstraZeneca, Daiichi exclusively owns HER3-DXd and intends to maintain its ownership.
Related: Roche’s HER2 Powerhouse: Leading The Way In Breast Cancer Treatment
Seagen is positioned next in line. As a biotech company, Seagen played a key role in pioneering the ADC field, achieving its first approval in 2011. However, Seagen’s status as an independent entity may change soon. Pending regulatory approval, Pfizer plans to acquire Seagen for $43 billion, a move that would establish Pfizer as a significant player in the ADC space. Roche, the manufacturer behind ADCs like Kadcyla and Polivy, holds the third spot on GlobalData’s ranking.
