Cancer at a glance

Commercial perspectives

Cancer represents a significant unmet medical need. Each year, more than 11 million people around the world are diagnosed with cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) projects an increase to 16 million people a year over the next 15 years.

The majority of cancer patients die within a short time span of diagnosis. Seven million people die from cancer every year, corresponding to 13% of all deaths.

The WHO projects an increase to 10 million by 2020.

Cancer is close to overtaking the position of cardiovascular diseases as the disease with the highest mortality rate in the western world, where the most common forms of lethal cancer are prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.

The strong growth in global sales of cancer therapeutics witnessed within the past few years is primarily due to the launch of a number of new and highly specific targeted anti-cancer drugs.

In 2006, the global expenditure for oncology drugs was USD 44 billion, up from USD 12 billion in 2000 and the expenditure increased to USD 65 billion in 2010 and is expected to increase to USD 72 billion in 2012.

In the years ahead, a continuing trend towards more targeted cancer therapies is expected. Additionally, a large number of more biologically specific cancer drugs will reach the market, further expanding the market for cancer therapeutics.

Topotarget considers itself an important player in the targeted cancer therapeutics market and is committed to making a substantial contribution to the development of more effective anti-cancer drugs.

The clinical trial process

Topotarget has allocated most of its resources in the clinical study process.

All clinical studies must be conducted by qualified investigators in accordance with Good Clinical Practice's (GCP) regulations.

Clinical studies are typically conducted in three and sometimes four sequential phases that, however, often overlap or are combined.