Leading with Science to Transform Cancer Care
By Lai Wang, PhD, Global Head of R&D; August 2024
At BeiGene our research and development goal is clear: to lead with science and develop transformative medicines for cancer patients worldwide. From the beginning, we have dedicated ourselves to building a groundbreaking, global R&D model aimed at elevating standards of cancer care by producing innovative and globally accessible cancer medicines.
Leading with Science
Our approach is unique, combining some of the best elements of both biotech and big pharma. We have assembled an exceptional team with diverse skills, committed to conducting remarkable science with diligence and creativity. We guide our scientific discoveries from the lab bench all the way to the patient’s bedside. I have had the privilege of leading our R&D organization through the approvals of three internally discovered drugs so far, and I believe the best is yet to come. The innovative molecules in our pipeline have extraordinary potential to bring better tomorrows to cancer patients globally.
Focusing on Oncology
Our primary focus is on cancers with the highest unmet need, including chronic and acute leukemias, lymphoma, lung, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers. These cancers are among the leading causes of death worldwide, despite advancements made in the past few decades. Our goal is to develop better treatment options for the many patients battling these diseases.
Translating Biology into Medicine
We take a rigorous science-forward approach, conducting cutting-edge biology research and exploring new technologies to identify therapeutic targets and innovate for patients. We are developing novel molecules that disrupt key drivers of cell growth and survival, harness the body’s immune system to attack tumors, and target specific biomarkers of cancers. Our comprehensive strategy includes combining these approaches to deliver the most effective and tolerable therapies.
Building a Diverse Technology Toolkit
We are pioneering new technologies to create breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Recognizing that not every cancer target can be addressed with the same type of drug, we leverage our strong science capabilities across diverse technology platforms to find the best interventions for each target. We have exceptional translational small molecule and biologics discovery capabilities with proven success in designing differentiated and impactful medicines. And our pipeline includes multi-specific antibodies, chimeric degradation activation compounds (CDACs), and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), each offering unique ways to target diseases.
Taking Multiple Shots on Goal
Two thirds of a drug’s R&D cost is usually spent on late-stage development, and equivocal or negative pivotal trial results are too common. As an industry, we need to focus resources on practice-changing medicines, not the ones that offer merely incremental or no benefit. But even the very best preclinical science doesn’t necessarily predict what will happen in the clinic. In order to identify transformative medicines with the potential to become the new standards of care, we believe it is important to evaluate many high-quality molecules. As part of our R&D model, we discover a broad and deep selection of preclinical candidates to put ourselves in the best position to deliver beneficial impact for patients. Investigating a wide range of investigational molecules in early clinical development allows us to make better, clinically informed decisions as we advance our pipeline.
Implementing ‘Fast to PoC’
Our portfolio strategy is to generate clinical proof-of-concept (PoC) data for multiple molecules quickly, at modest incremental cost, and use the clinical data to focus late-stage program investments on the most clinically differentiated investigational medicines. To achieve our ‘Fast to PoC’ goals we streamline all elements of early drug development. Preclinical validation insights, in house toxicology and manufacturing for clinical material, and strong Phase 1 investigator and site relationships all contribute to accelerating timelines and efficiently generating actionable early clinical data.
Operating Beyond Borders
We have one of the largest oncology research teams in the industry collaborating to discover novel molecules. And our efforts extend beyond generating our industry-leading oncology pipeline; our in-house global clinical development organization conducts dozens of clinical trials on five continents, working with local regulatory bodies, clinical sites, and investigators in more than 45 countries to accomplish exceptional trial execution and quality data generation. To support and enhance our clinical operations, our purpose-built software platforms and digital tools transform traditional clinical data collection and handling practices, enabling efficient, data-driven decision-making.
Delivering ‘Innovation at Scale’
With three approved medicines so far, we have built the infrastructure necessary to continually improve standards of care in oncology. Our model is to continuously populate our deep pipeline with pioneering preclinical assets that we prioritize based on clinical proof-of-concept data. We call our model ‘Innovation at Scale,’ and we are pursuing it with urgency for cancer patients around the world.
At BeiGene, we are inspired by the patients we serve. We believe in the power of science to change lives, and we are committed to delivering hope and better tomorrows to cancer patients everywhere.