Advancing Oncology: Innovations in Treatment and Detection

By Kirsteen Mackay

Mar 20, 2025

3 min read

Oncology is advancing with AI, biologics, and non-invasive treatments. See how AstraZeneca, Roche, AbbVie, and Medicus Pharma are leading the way.

Biotechnology Investments in Treatment and Detection

The field of oncology is advancing with non-invasive treatments, next-generation immunotherapies, and AI-driven diagnostics, improving patient access, reducing treatment times, and enhancing early detection. Companies like Medicus Pharma Ltd (NASDAQ: MDCX), AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN), Roche (OTC: RHHBY) and AbbVie Inc (NYSE: ABBV) are all making headlines with innovative developments.

AstraZeneca has acquired EsoBiotec to accelerate cell therapies for cancer treatment that could improve patient access and reduce treatment times. Roche and the University of Liverpool are launching an AI-driven tool for early eye cancer detection. Meanwhile, AbbVie recently initiated a collaboration with Tentarix Biotherapeutics to discover and develop multi-specific biologic candidates in oncology and immunology. This partnership leverages AbbVie's expertise and Tentarix's proprietary platform.

Medicus Pharma Ltd (NASDAQ: MDCX) is developing the SkinJect D-MNA patch for basal cell carcinoma (BCC)1, a proprietary microneedle array that is a non-invasive, painless, and cost-effective alternative to Mohs surgery, the current standard of care. A small, thumb-sized microneedle patch is applied to the skin over the BCC lesion. The patch is painless and easy to administer in a doctor’s office and can be applied during just three weekly 30-minute visits over 2 weeks. This has the potential to provide a simple and affordable solution to BCC patients seeking better treatment options. With over 5 million BCC cases diagnosed annually in the U.S., Medicus Pharma targets a $2 billion share of the $15 billion North American skin cancer market. Its SkinJect patch has projected development costs of $75–$100 million, far below the $648 million industry average2. Priced at around $1,000, it offers a cost-effective alternative to Mohs surgery ($1,800–$2,500)3.

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN) is enhancing its cancer treatment portfolio through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. In December 2023, it acquired Gracell Biotechnologies for $1.2 billion to bolster its cell therapy capabilities4. Recently, AstraZeneca agreed to acquire EsoBiotec for up to $1 billion5, gaining access to in-vivo CAR-T cell therapies that enable genetic modification of immune cells directly within the body, reducing treatment times from weeks to minutes. Additionally, AstraZeneca entered into a licensing agreement with South Korea’s Alteogen6 to utilize its ALT-B4 hyaluronidase enzyme for developing subcutaneous formulations of several oncology therapies, potentially reducing administration times from 30-60 minutes to 3-5 minutes. In February 2024, AstraZeneca announced a $300 million investment in a new facility in Rockville, Maryland, dedicated to the discovery and development of cell therapies7.

Roche Diagnostics, a division of Swiss pharma company Roche (OTC: RHHBY), has partnered with the University of Liverpool to launch the Eye Cancer Artificial Intelligence Digital Bioresource (EYE-CAN-AID) to improve early detection and treatment of rare eye cancers8. The initiative features high-quality imaging for more precise diagnoses. With around 1,000 new eye cancer cases annually in the UK, early detection is critical. EYE-CAN-AID integrates clinical, radiological, histological, and genetic data from NHS England’s three specialist eye cancer centers, using AI-driven analysis for faster and more personalized treatments. The project builds on a 14-year-old biobank at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre and benefits from Roche’s support and secure IT infrastructure from ARO Tech. By advancing research into the causes of rare eye cancers, predictive biomarkers, and AI diagnostics, EYE-CAN-AID aims to enhance patient care, accelerate drug discovery, and improve treatment outcomes.

AbbVie Inc (NYSE: ABBV) and privately held Tentarix Biotherapeutics announced a multi-year collaboration in February 20249 to develop biologic candidates for oncology and immunology. This partnership combines AbbVie's expertise with Tentarix's Tentacles™ platform, which creates biologics that activate immune cells while reducing side effects. Under the agreement, Tentarix received $64 million in upfront option payments for two programs, with AbbVie obtaining exclusive options to fully acquire these programs following candidate nomination, subject to additional undisclosed payments. The partnership aims to improve treatment safety and effectiveness, expanding AbbVie’s pipeline while supporting Tentarix’s development of targeted therapies. By combining resources, the companies seek to accelerate new treatment options for cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Oncology is advancing with non-invasive treatments, AI-driven diagnostics, and next-generation immunotherapies. Companies like AstraZeneca, Roche, AbbVie, and Medicus Pharma are driving innovation through acquisitions, AI-powered diagnostics, and novel biologics. These efforts aim to improve patient access, reduce treatment times, and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies worldwide.

Discover more about Medicus Pharma and its plans to commercialize its non-invasive SkinJect patch for BCC.

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