Following the news that Pfizer has agreed to acquire Array BioPharma in a deal worth approximately $11.4bn,

Tajekesa Chapman, PhD, Senior Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view on the potential of this buy-out on the treatment of colorectal cancers:

“At first glance, it may seem that Pfizer is taking a huge risk with the acquisition of Array BioPharma with its limited portfolio of marketed medicines, including Braftovi (encorafenib) and Mektovi (binimetinib), which are currently marketed for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, the potential is huge for Pfizer as these two targeted therapies are being investigated in a series of oncology clinical trials including non-small cell lung cancer, hematological cancers, gastrointestinal tract cancers and solid tumors.

“Array BioPharma reported net product sales of US$35.1m of Braftovi plus Mektovi for melanoma in the US in the third quarter of 2019. If approved, GlobalData expects peak year sales in the eight major markets (8MM*) for the duo of US$358m by 2025 in colorectal cancer. With Pfizer’s proven expertise in drug development and commercialization, and the huge treatment potential of Array’s portfolio and broader pipeline, this deal would significantly strengthen Pfizer’s oncology sales growth and guarantee rewarding profits.

“The combination is demonstrating positive progress in improving overall survival in Phase III BEACON trials of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), when used alongside Merck’s EGRF inhibitor, Erbitux (cetuximab). The BRAF mutation-positive setting is a subset of patients with CRC with poor prognosis and a high unmet need. Innovative approaches targeting mCRC patients with mutation-positive disease are highly anticipated as a game-changer for the treatment landscape and so targeted, biomarker-driven approaches for the treatment of mCRC remain a significant opportunity for developers.”

8MM*: The US, France, Germany Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan and China (urban).