2026: A Surge in Global Collaborations Reshapes the Oncology Therapeutics Landscape

　　【Pharmaceutical Network Industry Dynamics】Recently, there has been frequent collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry within the oncology field. Many pharmaceutical companies are achieving technology export and global market layout through tiered rights cooperation; at the same time, they are focusing on challenging tumor targets, attempting to use AI to improve the success rate of candidate drugs.
 

On January 6, Pfizer announced a research and development collaboration with Cartography Biosciences, a U.S.-based tumor immunotherapy company. The two parties will conduct research on the discovery and validation of "tumor-selective antigens."
 

According to the agreement, Cartography will utilize its proprietary ATLAS and SUMMIT discovery platforms to identify and validate tumor-selective antigens in undisclosed indications. Pfizer may opt to participate in multiple antigens identified and validated through this collaboration and will be responsible for all research, development, and commercialization efforts targeting the selected antigens.
 

On January 5, Insilico Medicine announced that the company had entered into a multi-year research and development collaboration with Servier. The two parties will work together to utilize Insilico Medicine's self-developed artificial intelligence platform, Pharma.AI, focusing on challenging targets in the field of anti-cancer therapy to identify and develop novel therapeutic drugs.
 

The agreement shows that Insilico Medicine is eligible to receive up to US$32 million in upfront and near-term R&D milestone payments. It will also lead the use of its AI technology platform to discover and develop potential drug candidates that meet established criteria. Servier will share the R&D costs, and lead the subsequent clinical validation and commercialization process.
 

On January 1, Zelgen Pharma announced that it had recently reached a strategic collaboration and license option agreement with AbbVie for the global development and commercialization of ZG006. AbbVie has obtained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ZG006 outside of Greater China. Zelgen will receive an upfront payment of $100 million, as well as up to $60 million in near-term milestone and license option-related payments. If AbbVie exercises the option, Zelgen could also receive $1.075 billion in milestone payments and tiered royalties on net sales outside of Greater China.
 

It is reported that ZG006 is a novel trispecific T-cell engager currently in the late-stage clinical development for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and other DLL3-expressing malignant tumors. The drug has received clinical trial approval from the U.S. FDA and China's NMPA. Additionally, it has been designated as a breakthrough therapy by the CDE of the NMPA for recurrent or progressive advanced small cell lung cancer and DLL3-positive neuroendocrine carcinoma, and has also been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. FDA.
 

In December 2025, Kelun-Biotech and Crescent reached a strategic cooperation regarding SKB105 and SKB118. Kelun-Biotech will grant Crescent the exclusive rights to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize SKB105 in the United States, Europe, and all other markets outside Greater China, while Crescent will grant Kelun-Biotech the exclusive rights to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize SKB118 in Greater China.
 

Currently, the new drug clinical trial application for SKB118 has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a global Phase I/II clinical trial for the treatment of advanced solid tumors is about to be launched. Recently, the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for SKB105 was also approved by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.
 

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Overall, the global oncology treatment field is currently witnessing a wave of intensive collaborations and breakthroughs. Against this backdrop, the industry anticipates that by 2026, while this trend of cooperation continues, ADC/bispecific/trispecific antibodies, solid tumor cell therapies, AI-driven R&D, and chronic disease management will become the core drivers of industrial development. These factors will propel the competitive landscape of the global anti-cancer drug market towards an accelerated evolution characterized by "East-West collaboration + localized differentiation."
 

　　Disclaimer: In no event shall the information or opinions expressed in this article constitute investment advice to any person.