Radiopharmaceutical market for prostate cancer to reach $6.3b by 2030

Radioligand therapies are gaining significant traction in the treatment of prostate cancer.

The radiopharmaceutical market for prostate cancer is projected to reach $6.3b by 2030. 

According to GlobalData, radioligand therapies (RLTs) are gaining significant traction in the treatment of prostate cancer, with major pharmaceutical companies leading the charge. 

Bayer's Xofigo (radium-223 dichloride) set a precedent with its FDA approval for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), igniting interest in RLTs. This was further bolstered by Novartis's acquisition of Advanced Accelerator Applications, the developer of Pluvicto (lutetium [177Lu] vipivotide tetraxetan), which targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

Pluvicto is also expected to see its revenue skyrocket from $980m in 2023 to $4.3b by 2030, surpassing Xofigo.

Thomas Wales, an analyst at GlobalData, highlighted the success of Pluvicto in the Phase III VISION trial, which showed improved imaging-based progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard treatments. 

Patients treated with Pluvicto had a median PFS of 8.7 months, more than double that of standard care at 3.4 months. Additionally, Pluvicto patients experienced a four-month increase in overall survival (OS).

Meanwhile, Eli Lilly is actively recruiting for a Phase III trial of lutetium (177Lu) zadavotide guraxetan, which GlobalData forecasts will generate $1.65b in sales by 2030. However, with clinical approval still pending, it does not pose a near-term threat to Pluvicto's market position.

AstraZeneca is advancing FPI-2265-202, targeting PSMA-positive mCRPC patients in a Phase II/III trial, with results expected by 2026. Whilst its sales projections are lower than Pluvicto’s, the potential of actinium-225 could impact the RLT landscape.

Wales noted that Novartis is seeking a label expansion for Pluvicto to treat mCRPC patients not previously treated with taxane-based chemotherapy. 

The Phase III PSMAfore study indicates strong potential for long-term survival improvements with PSMA-targeting RLTs. 

Moreover, Pluvicto is anticipated to lead the market until at least the end of the decade, though new radiation-emitting ligands may emerge later.