AstraZeneca

Japan's biopharma industry, once a global leader, declined significantly post-1990s due to economic stagnation, reduced R&D investment, and regulatory hurdles. Recent government initiatives aim to revitalize the sector, including easing drug approval processes and supporting startups, signaling potential for an upswing.

The AI in precision medicine market is projected to grow from USD 1.75B in 2024 to USD 37.60B by 2034, with a CAGR of 35.9%. Key segments include deep learning (33.7% share in 2024), software (41.6% share), oncology (31.0% revenue share), and neurology (fastest CAGR of 36.8%). North America leads with a 29.6% revenue share, while Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 36.3%. AI integration enhances personalized treatments, early disease detection, and drug development, driving market growth.

2024 saw breakthroughs in gene therapies for sickle cell disease, at-home flu vaccines, mind-controlled prosthetics, non-opioid pain medicine, AI medical scribes, fruit fly brain mapping, clinical-grade hearing aids, new schizophrenia drugs, brain-computer interfaces, HIV prevention meds, cervical cancer screening alternatives, maternal health apps, AI protein structure prediction, VR for mental health, screen time reduction tools, gene therapy for deafness, women's health research, self-serve vision tests, blood tests for colorectal cancer, and potential lupus cures.

Experts discuss the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) on cancer care, including changes to drug exclusivity, formulary management, and patient access, with concerns over disparities and shortages.

Durvalumab improved progression-free survival (PFS) over placebo in patients with locally advanced, unresectable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after platinum-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT), with a 25% reduction in risk of disease progression or death. Subgroup analysis showed consistent PFS benefit regardless of CRT type, and a trend toward improved overall survival (OS) was observed. PACIFIC-5 supports consolidation immunotherapy after either concurrent or sequential CRT.

The MET targeting therapies market is poised for significant growth by 2034 due to rising cancer diagnoses, increased awareness, and numerous therapies in clinical trials. Key players include AstraZeneca, AbbVie, and Regeneron, with therapies like ORPATHYS and Telisotuzumab Vedotin in development. Regulatory approvals and precision medicine advancements are driving market dynamics, though challenges like pricing and reimbursement persist.

Heinzerling et al reported a phase II trial of SBRT followed by concurrent mediastinal chemotherapy and consolidative immunotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC, showing 1-year progression-free survival of 62.7% and median overall survival of 47.1 months, with treatment-related adverse events including 7% treatment-related deaths. The study, funded by AstraZeneca and Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, serves as basis for ongoing phase III study NRG Oncology LU008.

2024 saw over 25 pediatric FDA approvals, including givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, FluMist for influenza, clonidine hydrochloride for ADHD, dupilumab for eosinophilic esophagitis, epinephrine nasal spray for anaphylaxis, and roflumilast cream for atopic dermatitis.

Lynparza (Olaparib) showed long-term improvement in risk of death, invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), and distant disease-free survival (DDFS) at six years in patients with germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer. The OlympiA Phase III trial data confirm Lynparza's clinically meaningful survival benefit, persisting in all subgroups, with reassuring toxicity and pregnancy data.

McMaster researchers achieved breakthroughs in health, sustainability, AI, and climate justice in 2024, addressing challenges like antibiotic resistance, cancer, and climate change, while also advancing ethical AI use and Indigenous research.