#Canada #Vancouver #Oncolytics Biotech #Immuno-Oncology #CRISPR Therapeutics

The Rapid Rise of Immuno-Oncology in 2026

The landscape of the immuno-oncology market is poised for an impressive transformation as we move towards 2026. Forecasts reveal that the sector is expected to escalate from $65.22 billion in 2025 to a staggering $170.19 billion by 2032. This tremendous growth is driven by breakthrough therapies, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines, which are redefining treatment paradigms and providing new hope for cancer patients worldwide.

Key Players Leading the Charge

Several companies are spearheading this expansion and are well-positioned to capitalize on upcoming opportunities in the burgeoning market. Notable among them are Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ: ONCY), ImmunityBio (NASDAQ: IBRX), CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CRSP), BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX), and Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR). These organizations are not only advancing innovative treatments but are also reshaping the future of cancer therapy.

Oncolytics Biotech's Strategic Focus

Oncolytics Biotech has recently revealed its strategy to focus on registrational programs targeting anal and colorectal cancer. After fruitful participation in the GOBLET gastrointestinal study, the company is set to engage with the FDA mid-April to outline a clear path toward approval based on the promising efficacy signals observed. Notably, their treatment, pelareorep, has shown impressive results in difficult-to-treat patient populations, and the company is enthusiastic about meeting necessary clinical endpoints without significant shareholder dilution.

ImmunityBio's Expanding Access

In a similar vein, ImmunityBio has partnered with Accord Healthcare to broaden access to its successful treatment ANKTIVA for bladder cancer patients across 33 European countries. The drug has shown a remarkable 71% complete response rate for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, indicating its potential to redefine standards of care in oncology. Richard Adcock, the CEO, highlighted this partnership as instrumental in fulfilling their vision for cancer care across Europe.

CRISPR Therapeutics and Innovative Platforms

Furthermore, CRISPR Therapeutics continues to make remarkable strides with its allogeneic CAR-T candidate zugocabtagene geleucel (zugo-cel). The company reported significant revenue growth in 2025, reflecting the increasing demand for their innovative gene-editing technologies. Their advanced CAR-T platform is set to revolutionize cancer therapy, offering potentially off-the-shelf solutions for battling various cancers.

BioNTech's Ambitious Plans

Meanwhile, BioNTech has laid out an ambitious strategy, detailing plans to launch six additional Phase 3 clinical trials in 2026, thereby adding to its already extensive oncology trial portfolio. With existing partnerships and innovative treatments in development, the company’s pipeline could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment modalities.

Novocure's Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer

Lastly, Novocure recently achieved FDA approval for its Optune Pax system aimed at locally advanced pancreatic cancer. This milestone marks the introduction of the first new treatment for this difficult-to-treat cancer type in nearly three decades due to its unique approach utilizing a biophysical method to target the electrical properties of cancer cells.

Conclusion

The immuno-oncology market is undoubtedly at a tipping point, with advancements due to innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and a surge of new treatments on the horizon. As companies continue to invest in research and development, the future of cancer therapy seems brighter than ever. Stakeholders and investors should remain vigilant, as the landscape is rapidly evolving, and those who can adapt will reap the rewards of this promising field in the coming years.