R & D of new drugs has a low probability of success and requires huge investment in the long term.Until now, small molecule compounds have been the mainstream for drug discovery, but in recent years, the proportion of biopharmaceuticals has increased, and in particular, we are expanding into a wide variety of technologies such as cell therapy and gene therapy.For this reason, in the pharmaceutical industry, the movement to access and incorporate technologies and experiences that the company does not own, that is, collaboration with external organizations, is becoming more important and active.

　This study focuses on the oncology area and uses a database of external transactions centered on companies to target small molecule compounds and biopharmacy newly approved in the United States (1999-2018) as a global strategy. Investigate target transactions (tie-ups, acquisitions, investments).We compared and examined external transactions that are characteristic of anti-cancer drug development by mechanism of action.

　As a result, immune checkpoint inhibitors were significantly more actively traded between tissues than other anticancer agents, many of which were alliances for the development of combination therapies.In addition, worldwide sales of the inter-organizational transactions between Keytruda and Obdivo, which caused a paradigm shift in immune checkpoint inhibitors, have grown exponentially, confirming continued expansion of indications in the United States.In addition, although Obdivo was quick to approve, sales were higher than Obdivo as a result of Keytruda's active external collaboration.In the future, strategic alliances with external organizations are expected to hold an important key to the development of anticancer drugs.

Paper information:[Journal of Personalized Medicine] Dynamic Collaborations for the Development of Immune Checkpoint Blockade Agents