Fortrea sees higher evidence bar for oncology drug development
FTRE•Fortrea says oncology drug development faces rising evidence standards, with survival benefits and stronger comparators driving differentiation. It also highlights intensifying antibody-drug conjugate competition, the need for earlier biomarker investment, and challenges incorporating China-generated trial evidence.
1. Rising evidence standards
Fortrea’s ESMO 2026 analysis says survival benefits and stronger comparators are increasingly driving competitive differentiation in oncology. It highlights intensifying competition among antibody-drug conjugates, making patient selection, treatment sequencing and toxicity management critical. Biomarker-led development requires earlier investment in testing and screening, while personalized therapies add manufacturing and delivery challenges.
2. Trial evidence and dosing
The analysis says China-generated trial evidence is increasingly central to global strategy and requires prospective planning for differences in populations and standards of care. Treatment de-escalation remains unproven: MOIO stopped early following an overall survival imbalance favoring standard dosing.
