Pfizer Spends $43 Billion to Acquire Seagen, But Questions Arise as to Whether Its 8 New Drugs Can Save the Day

Pfizer recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of Seagen, which specializes in antibody drug coupling agents (ADCs), for $43 billion. In talks with investors, the company laid out ambitious plans for its oncology division, aiming to launch eight new cancer drugs by 2020, in addition to its current five best-selling cancer drugs.

Dr. Chris Boshoff, Pfizer's new chief oncology officer, emphasized that the company will focus on four main cancer areas: breast cancer, genitourinary cancers (including prostate and urinary cancers), hematological malignations such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and chest tumors such as lung cancer and head and neck cancer.

Pfizer's portfolio will include small molecule therapeutics, ADCs and bispecific antibodies. Biologics are expected to account for 65 percent of oncology revenues by 2030, compared with about 6 percent of sales today, which are dominated by small molecule drugs. Examples include Ibrance (palbociclib) for breast cancer, Xtandi (enzalutamide) for prostate cancer, and Inlyta (axitinib) for kidney cancer.

This business shift helps the company avoid the impact of some of the price cuts in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Under the bill, biologics could be on the market longer before they are selected to participate in Medicare price negotiations.

While the future bestsellers have not yet been disclosed, they will come from the approximately 14 product candidates showcased during the company's R&D update.

"Our oncology group is expected to be a key driver of potential long-term sustainable sales and profit growth for Pfizer through the first half of 2025 and beyond," said Dr. Boshoff.

During the hours-long meeting, Pfizer highlighted seven key Phase 3 trial data and six new Phase 3 trial launches that will underpin its oncology ambitions in the coming years.

These data include the VERITAC-2 trial of the protein depressant vepdegestrant in second-line estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, the first key data for a drug that Pfizer believes forms the backbone of estrogen-targeted therapy in breast cancer. And BREAKWATER study of BRAF inhibitor Braftovi (encorafenib) as a first-line treatment for BRAF mutated metastatic colorectal cancer.

Pfizer also has high hopes for the treatment of non-muscle-aggressive bladder cancer with the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor Sasizumab in the CREST study, High hopes are also expressed for CD3xBCMA bisspecific Elrexfio (elranatamab) in MagnetisMM-5 as a treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients previously treated with lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitors.

Newly initiated Phase 3 drugs include atirmoiclib, a CDK4 inhibitor for second-line treatment of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, IB6-directed ADC sigvotatug vedotin for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Elrexfio is indicated for patients with multiple myeloma who have progressed after anti-CD38 therapy.

"With the energy of our talented colleagues, the tremendous potential of our product line and scientific engine, and the scale of the Pfizer enterprise, we believe we are well positioned to achieve our vision of accelerating breakthroughs that will help cancer patients around the world live better, longer lives," said Dr. Boshoff.

Pfizer's accelerated push into cancer, which has underpinned its growth over the past few years, comes amid a sharp contraction in the market for COVID-19 vaccines and was one of the drivers behind the Seagen acquisition. Currently, the company spends 40% of its R&D budget on oncology.