Cancer’s guided missiles grow up

AbbVie, Pfizer and Merck advance antibody drug conjugates through late-stage trials and regulatory filings in a shift towards precision oncology

2 Oct 2025

Antibody drug conjugates are moving closer to routine use in cancer treatment as several large pharmaceutical groups advance candidates through late-stage trials and regulatory review in the US.

The progress has been highlighted by AbbVie’s recent regulatory filing for a targeted therapy aimed at blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, a rare and aggressive blood cancer with few effective treatments. The submission shows how a class of drugs once seen as experimental is now edging towards broader clinical adoption.

ADCs combine an antibody that targets cancer cells with a highly potent chemotherapy agent. The design is intended to deliver treatment directly to tumours while reducing harm to healthy tissue. The approach is scientifically complex and has faced setbacks in the past, but recent data have improved confidence in its wider application across tumour types, including hard-to-treat and rare cancers.

Large drugmakers are reshaping their oncology strategies around the technology. Pfizer has expanded its ADC portfolio through acquisitions and internal research, positioning targeted delivery as a long-term growth area. Merck is developing several ADCs through partnerships and internal programmes, with a focus on cancers where existing therapies offer limited benefit.

Analysts increasingly see ADCs as core assets in future oncology pipelines rather than peripheral bets. Their appeal is both clinical and commercial. Targeted therapies can help companies stand out in competitive markets, extend the life of existing franchises and, in some cases, qualify for accelerated regulatory pathways.

However, the challenges are significant. Manufacturing is complex, safety monitoring remains demanding and pricing is likely to come under scrutiny as more products near commercial launch. Regulators will also be watching closely as experience with the drugs expands beyond controlled trial settings.

Even so, the pace of development continues to quicken. A growing number of regulatory submissions and special designations underline official interest in the most promising candidates. Investors have responded favourably to companies that show steady progress.

For drugmakers, the advance of ADCs marks a shift in oncology development priorities, narrowing the gap between precision science and approved treatments.