Gilead Sciences has decided to withdraw its combination drug Trodelvy from the bladder cancer market after disappointing trial results.
Trodelvy was initially granted accelerated approval in 2021 for its ability to shrink tumors in patients with advanced bladder cancer. However, a confirmatory study failed to show any improvement in overall survival, leading to the withdrawal.
This withdrawal reflects a trend in the pharmaceutical industry where conditional approvals have been rescinded, particularly among PD-1 class drugs like Keytruda and Opdivo.
Despite this setback, Gilead's oncology portfolio remains strong, with Yescarta being its top-selling drug. Analysts believe that the withdrawal of Trodelvy from bladder cancer treatment is a minor setback and that the majority of its revenue will come from its use in breast cancer.
Gilead also plans to explore Trodelvy's efficacy in lung cancer, but recent studies have yielded disappointing results. Gilead is conducting late-stage testing of Trodelvy in combination with Keytruda for breast and lung cancers. The outcomes of these trials will be crucial for the future of Trodelvy and Gilead's oncology strategy.
The withdrawal of Trodelvy from the bladder cancer indication has raised questions about Gilead's growth strategy in oncology, but the company remains focused on breast cancer and potential new combinations. Gilead will continue investing in research and development to enhance its oncology portfolio. Market analysts will closely monitor Gilead's upcoming data releases and trial results to assess the company's future in the competitive oncology landscape.