Claudin 18.2 Targeted Therapy Market Forecast & Clinical Trials Insight 2029

Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) is an isoform of Claudin18, a member of the tight junction protein family. It serves as a highly selective biomarker, exhibiting limited expression in normal tissues but often showing abnormal expression in various primary malignancies, including gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, ovarian cancer, and a few other solid tumors. This finding has led to the development of targeted therapies aimed at inhibiting Claudin18.2 for treating these cancers, majorly gastric cancers.

As of November 2024, one such therapy has been approved, with several others in advanced stages of development. Pharmaceutical companies around the world are investing heavily in this promising field, with treatments spanning a range of drug classes. These efforts underscore the potential of Claudin18.2-targeted therapies to transform the treatment landscape for gastric cancer, making this area of research one to watch closely in the coming years.

Global Claudin 18.2 Targeted Therapy Market Forecast & Clinical Trials Insight 2029 Report Highlights:

• Global & Regional Market Trends Insight
• Currently Only 1 Claudin 18.2 Targeted Drug Is Approved:  Vyloy (zolbetuximab)
• Approved Drug Dosage, Pricing & Sales Insight
• Claudin 18.2 Therapy Clinical Trends & Innovations by Indication
• Number Claudin 18.2 Drugs In Clinical Trials: > 60 Drugs
• Global Claudin 18.2 Drugs Clinical Trials By Company, Indication & Phase
• Insight On Technical & Clinical Platforms For Developing Advanced Claudin 18.2 Therapy 

The approval of Vyloy (zolbetuximab) in March 2024 marked a significant milestone in the field, as it is the first medication to target Claudin18.2. Vyloy, developed by Ganymed Pharmaceuticals and later acquired by Astellas Pharma, has already been approved in major countries, such as the US, the EU, and Japan, for use in combination with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of patients with HER2-negative G/GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors express Claudin18.2. Additionally, the anticipated approval in China by the end of 2024 suggests a global expansion of this therapy, establishing it as a crucial treatment option for these aggressive tumors.

Sales data for Vyloy has indicated a strong adoption, with the therapy’s sales surpassing US$ 7 Million by the end of the third quarter of 2024. This increasing market penetration demonstrates both the unmet need for effective treatments in this domain and Claudin18.2’s strong therapeutic potential as a target. Zolbetuximab is now in clinical development, with trials investigating its application in combination with various therapy regimens as well as potential applications in tumors other than G/GEJ adenocarcinoma, such as pancreatic carcinoma. These expansions may extend the spectrum and impact of Claudin18.2-targeted medicines.

Aside from Vyloy, numerous other Claudin18.2-targeting medicines are under development, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, CAR-T cell therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Five of these candidates are already in phase 3 clinical trials, largely for G/GEJ malignancies, but research is showing promise in other tumor types, including as ovarian and lung cancers. This varied pipeline of treatment options highlights the increased interest and potential for targeting Claudin18.2 in oncology. 

The competitive landscape for Claudin18.2-targeting therapies is becoming more dynamic, with major corporations investing in research and development. China, in particular, has emerged as a hub of innovation in this field, with numerous companies, including Innovent, MabWorks, and Biotheus, making substantial progress in developing Claudin18.2-targeting medicines.

Companion diagnostic tests are an important element of the Claudin18.2-targeting therapeutic industry. Roche Diagnostics developed the Ventana® CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay, the first immunohistochemistry-based test approved to detect Claudin18.2 expression in patients with G/GEJ adenocarcinoma. This test identifies which patients are most likely to benefit from Vyloy treatment, resulting in more precise and successful therapy selection. As the market for Claudin18.2-targeted therapies grows, the development and implementation of companion diagnostics will be critical in improving treatment results.

Looking ahead, the Claudin18.2-targeting therapy market is expected to increase further, owing to the encouraging results of current medications and a growing pipeline. While G/GEJ malignancies remain the primary focus, research into additional indications may broaden the uses of these therapies. The market’s global nature, with strong representation from both Western and Asian enterprises, creates a collaborative and competitive atmosphere that is likely to encourage further innovation. As more therapies are developed and approved, and as companion diagnostics become more widely available, the impact of Claudin18.2-targeted therapies on cancer treatment is expected to grow significantly, offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.