Pharma On The Hunt For Oncology Partners Across Modalities

For Novel Targets, New Approaches To Known Targets

The Inaugural AACR Oncology Industry Partnering Event gave pharma firms an opportunity to tell potential cancer drug collaborators what they need from external sources.

Tumor microenvironment concept with cancer cells, T-Cells, nanoparticles, cancer associated fibroblast layer of tumor microenvironment — Pharma firms expressed interest in new drug candidates, platforms and other technologies • Source: Shutterstock

Figuring out how to get a foot in the door with potential big pharma partners is a daunting task for academic researchers and small biotechnology companies. The organizers of the inaugural American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Oncology Industry Partnering Event hope the two-day meeting will help academics and biotech executives take their first steps toward pharma firms hungry for the next big ideas in cancer drug development.

Key Takeaways

Big pharma companies gave potential academic and biotech collaborators a look at their cancer R&D and dealmaking strategies during the inaugural AACR Oncology Industry Partnering Event.

Twelve big pharma companies descended on San Diego for the partnering event on 4-5 April, just ahead of AACR’s annual...