The rise of targeted cancer therapies

In an earlier LinkedIn post, we gave insight into the development of drug use by ATC group. This time, we highlight the development within ATC group L01, oncolytics.

Over the past 20 years, we have seen significant advances in cancer medication, particularly through the development of targeted therapies. The first targeted therapies appeared on the market around 2000 in the form of protein kinase inhibitors (L01E) and antibody conjugates (L01F). Since 2010, so-called checkpoint inhibitors (housed in L01F) have also been an important addition.

The agents within ATC groups L01E and L01F mostly fall under expensive add-on medication and are currently often only available as speciality drugs. Due to the combination of large user numbers and high price, ATC groups L01E and L01F rise prominently above other groups.

The ATC group L01X acts as a residual category. New medications are initially classified in L01X before being transferred to a specific or entirely new group. Perhaps in the future, a new large ATC group will consist of the ATMP oncolytics.

As a trusted and independent data trust within the drug market, Farminform can provide insight into such developments. For more information, please contact Thomas Hulst, PhD.

Note: drug usage in this post is based on the pharmacy purchase price (AIP) multiplied by the number of units.