Smarter chemo, though? Each new dataset on antibody-drug conjugates solidifies the case that the technology could be much more broadly used than previously anticipated. When the Enhertu data first surfaced last year, several oncologists told me they thought antibody-drug conjugates could eventually play a much larger role in cancer treatment—and even replace conventional chemo altogether in some types of cancer. Clearly, pharma companies believe that’s possible, too. “The Daiichi AstraZeneca effect has been real,” Lambert said.
It’s a good reminder that old concepts truly can be made new again. It just might take a few decades.
Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News.