Radiology Revolution – Fulfilling the Critical Need for Advanced Imaging Research in Oncology Biotech companies

Exceptional progress has been made over the last century in understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing all forms of cancer. From common cancers like breast, bowel, and prostate, where genetic factors play a dominant role, to rare blood cancers and both malignant and benign tumours, there has been a notable increase in awareness and understanding of the nature of these diseases. In hand with this, diagnosis equipment and treatments have become more accessible as different forms of cancer become more common.

Despite extraordinary technological advancements in Big Pharma and Biotech rapidly saving and transforming lives, the oncology market, particularly CAR T-cell therapy, has become saturated, receiving less investment as a result. Therefore, it is crucial for oncology companies to leverage their radiology knowledge and research to stand out in an ever-growing and accessible market of oncology treatments.

The Oncology Boom – A Timeline

By the end of 2019, cancer research and treatment reached unprecedented levels, marked by substantial investments continuously injected into the oncology market. Innovations in treatments, such as immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and precision medicine, have undoubtedly improved patient outcomes and expanded treatment options. These developments over the last five years have led to a surge in research, clinical trials, and significant increases in investment. It is credible to recognize that the rise in investment within the oncology market since 2019 reflects the growing acknowledgment of the critical importance of cancer research and treatment. The increased investment since 2019 has clearly accelerated the pace of innovation in oncology, notably boosting treatment potential and positive patient outcomes in the next decade.

In 2020 and 2021, significant investments were made in the oncology industry, reflecting a continued commitment to combating cancers and mitigating their long-lasting impact on the global population. While these advancements are positive, they also illustrate how the market has become crowded with innovative and accessible treatments, potentially weakening the demand for investment over the last year. It is worth noting, however, that investment levels across all industries can fluctuate. Factors influencing the oncology industry include changes in its economic state, technological advancements leading to shifts in research priorities, and the broadening knowledge and understanding of cancer biology.

 

Examples include:

AstraZeneca: AZ made substantial investments in oncology R&D, particular in areas such as targeted therapies and combination treatments. In early February, they announced a $300 million investment into a US-based manufacturing facility will focus on T-cell therapies. The investment will see new jobs being created which will bring scientific work and therapies to clinical trials to help transform the lives of many patients around the world.

AstraZeneca say “This new $300 million investment will accelerate our ambition to make next-generation cell therapy a reality.”

Freenome: Freenome focusing on developing blood-based cancer screening tests, raised estimated around $300 million in its Series D financing round to further advance its multiomics platform for early cancer detection and intervention. (December 2021)

 

The transformative impact of elevating radiology knowledge for biotech

Radiology research plays a crucial role for oncology biotech companies in advancing cancer detection and treatment. It provides insights into imaging techniques, tumour characterization, treatment monitoring, and response assessment, thereby facilitating the development of new and exciting therapies and diagnostic tools. By doing so, it creates a dynamic forefront for oncology biotech’s to leverage, enabling them to progress against other companies in the oncology market.

What does this mean for biotech companies and patients?

Biotech’s with comprehensive radiology knowledge can better understand the effects of their products on imaging techniques – greatening the chance of more accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plans to help target disease.

1. Early detection – Radiology research encourages interception of a forming disease. Even better, the imaging can enable prevention of a mature disease.
2. Biochemical changes – Detection by imaging techniques as these occur before full changes in the anatomy! Combined with liquid biopsy for screening purposes, early.

localization of disease can be detected to support the most efficient management.

3. Accuracy – Biotech’s can manipulate imaging software’s to gain a more thorough understanding of tumour characterisation – its size, severity, location. This allows specialists to create more effective treatment solutions such as radiation therapy which is less invasive for the patient in comparison to other options.

An Exciting Future for Radiology!

It is nearly certain that advancements in radiology will flourish in both the short-term and long-term future, enabling oncology biotech’s with innovative knowledge to excel within the bustling industry. Embracing and applying improvements in imaging techniques will not only increase the likelihood of receiving investment but, more importantly, will aid specialists in detecting cancer cells within the body and subsequently targeting these cells with radiation therapy.

Companies excelling within the space:

The synergy of companies combining oncology expertise with advancements in radiology technology undoubtedly creates an attractive proposition for investors seeking to support new approaches to cancer care. Examples of companies within the oncology industry demonstrating this capability include those developing AI-powered imaging solutions for early cancer diagnosis or precision radiation therapy planning. These imaging advancements, coupled with radiology expertise, enable companies to make remarkable strides in improving the battle against cancer and minimizing its fatal impact on families and individuals worldwide.

4. Varian Medical Systems – Their focus on radiotherapy and radiosurgery technology offers advanced cancer treatment. Their imaging software plays a crucial role in generating treatment plans and tracking the nature of the cells.
5. Alpha9 Theranostics – Associated with developing radiopharmaceuticals consisting of various elements to kill cancer cells. The company recently announced that it had received $75 million in a financing round led by Nextech Invest to strengthen its radiopharmaceuticals.

So, what does this mean for the industry overall?

• There is a global, critical need to target cancer, with industry specialists worldwide becoming more adept at treating, diagnosing, and intercepting various forms of cancer.
• 21st-century technological advancements continue to fuel increased access to research and treatment within the oncology space.
• Advancements in biological and technological knowledge are optimizing patient outcomes worldwide.
• Transformational radiology software aids biotech specialists in examining and capturing cancerous cells, helping prevent the spread of disease.
• A sense of global urgency has left the oncology market flooded with excellent access to incredible treatments and technologies.
• Consequently, investment continues to flow into companies with innovative radiology expertise, setting them apart from competitors.