Receptor Tyrosine Protein Kinase ERBB 3 Market

Market Overview

Receptor Tyrosine Protein Kinase ERBB 3 Market Size is Expected to grow at higher CAGR 6.3% Over the Forecast Period.

Receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3, also known as HER3, is a membrane-bound protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ERBB3 gene. HER3 is the human epidermal growth factor (HER) family, which further comprises of HER1/EGFR/erbB1, HER2/erbB2 & HER4/erbB4. As an exclusive member of the HER family, HER3 lacks or has a little inherent tyrosine kinase activity. It often co-expresses and forms heterodimers with other receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in cancer cells to activate oncogenic signaling pathway, particularly the PI-3K/AKT pathway and SRC kinases. Increased level of HER3 has been seen in a wide range of human cancers and is correlated with far worse survival in cancer patients with solid tumors. Activation of HER3 signaling has also been shown to promote cancer metastasis.

Increasing Prevalence of Cancer across the Globe to Prompt the Need for HER3

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells due to genetic mutations in the differentiation of regulatory genes. Tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that signals the cycle of cell differentiation. The mutation in expression genes leads to overexpression, resulting in the uncontrolled proliferation of tumor cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are small molecules that bind to the kinase enzyme receptor site available on the cell surface.

The global market is experiencing expansion at a substantially higher rate of growth due to an increase in health care expenditure and an elevated prevalence of cancer worldwide. A recent study revealed by researchers at the American Cancer Society states that in the U.S., at least 42%, that is 740,000 cancer cases are newly diagnosed in 2019. Similarly, as per the National Cancer Institute, around 1,735,350 new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S., and 609,640 people died from the disease in 2018.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) offer umpteen benefits over chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Additionally, the expanding indications of existing and pipeline on TKIs have expanded the indication areas of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in order to address numerous unmet needs. The clinical pipeline of ERBB 3 is quite strong, which is expected to boost the entry of competitive products in the years to come.

Due to the increasing prevalence of cancer, it has become imperative to take the necessary steps to introduce innovative tyrosine protein kinase therapeutics in the global market. It is noteworthy that most clinical trials target only 43 protein kinases and about 50% of these inhibitors target kinases that are already being approved. Rising awareness about cancer diagnosis and treatment in underdeveloped and developing countries is subsequently adding fuel to the market growth.

Market Dynamics

Upsurge in Clinical Trial and Rising R&D Activities to Drive the Market Growth

Globally, the prevalence of cancer is rising at an alarming rate, subsequently boosting the R&D activities on receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB 3. Similarly, many clinical studies are focusing on the biologic function of HER3 in the progression of erbB2-aberrant breast cancer. In the last few years, kinase signaling pathway has been witnessing massive popularity in the pharmaceutical industry as many studies reveal that compensatory upregulation of HER3 along with the sustained PI-3K/Akt signaling is implicated as an important mechanism, resulting in resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy. In addition, elevated expression of the HER3 ligand (HRG) is a possible mechanism of resistance to anti-EGFR antibody (Ab)-cetuximab in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer.

Additionally, several key players, including Novartis, Roche, Glaxosmith, OriGene, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, Merus, and Acrobiosystems, are heavily investing in the robust R&D activities to extend their existing cancer therapeutics product portfolio. Other factors grabbing the attention of the key players include the importance of HER3 as an obligate partner for receptor dimerization and in resistance to HER2- or EGFR-targeted therapy and other therapeutics as a molecular target for cancer treatment.

In the last few years, the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors reached a new level in the pharmacological anti-cancer therapy, which is subsequently increasing the investment from pharmaceutical companies. Moreover, the technological advancements in the field are compelling the players to develop highly safe and effective products with minimized side effects. Increasing awareness of HER3 function in drug resistance and tumor metastasis has critical implications in the directions of future studies. Various products are at different stages of clinical trials, which will be introduced in the global market in the years to come.

Pipeline Analysis

Currently, HER3 based drugs are not available in the market or have not received any approval from the FDA. Several leading players operating in the market are continuously working to seek approval for HER3 based drugs and heavily investing in advanced technology and R&D activities for product innovation and development.

Celldex Therapeutics

• Recently, Celldex introduced an open-label Phase 2 study of CDX-3379 given in combination with Erbitux (cetuximab), an EGFR inhibitor, in patients with HPV negative, Erbitux-resistant advanced head, and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) who have formerly been treated with an anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor—a population with limited options and a particularly poor prognosis
• Clinical trial study: A Study of CDX-3379 and Cetuximab in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• The study determines the clinical benefit (how well the drug works), safety, and tolerability of combining CDX-3379 and cetuximab. The report covers the patients who have previously received cetuximab and progressed with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
• Condition or disease: advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Intervention/Treatment-Drug: CDX-3379 and cetuximab
• Phase: Phase 2
• The study has been initiated on 27 March 2018 and is estimated to be accomplished by December 2020

Merus

• Clinical study: Study of Zenocutuzumab (MCLA-128) in patients with solid tumors harboring an NRG1 fusion
• This is a Phase I/II, open-label, multi-center, multi-national, dose-escalation, single-agent study to assess the safety, tolerability, P.K., P.D., immunogenicity, and anti-tumor activity of zenocutuzumab (MCLA-128) in patients with solid tumors harboring an NRG1 fusion
• Condition or disease: Solid tumors harboring NRG1 fusion, NSCLC harboring NRG1 fusion, pancreatic cancer harboring NRG1 fusion, and NRG1 fusion
• Intervention/treatment-Drug: zenocutuzumab (MCLA-128)
• Phase: Phase 1 (solid tumors harboring NRG1 fusion)
• Phase 2: (NSCLC Harboring NRG1 Fusion, Pancreatic Cancer Harboring NRG1 Fusion, and NRG1 Fusion)
• The study has been initiated in January 2015 and is estimated to be accomplished by September 2022

Regional Analysis

Government Initiatives to Control the Prevalence of Cancer Drives North America’s Market Growth

North America holds the largest share in the ERBB3 market on account of the increasing prevalence of cancer, rising healthcare expenditure, and growing awareness among the people regarding cancer treatment and drug resistance. HER3 is also associated with malignancies of several cancers, including ovarian, breast, prostate, gastric, bladder, lung, melanoma, colorectal, and squamous cell carcinoma. As per the National Cancer Institute, in the U.S. alone, about 1,735,350 new cases of cancer were diagnosed with an incidence rate of 439.2 cases per 100,000 people, and around 609,640 people died due to cancer in 2018. To attend to the dire situation, the governments in the region are encouraging umpteen clinical trials for suppressing HER3 using RTKs, belonging to the EGFR family.

Japan and India to Spearhead Asia-Pacific’s Market Growth

Asia-Pacific’s receptor tyrosine-protein kinase ERBB3 market is projected to grow at a significant pace on account of the rapid increase in the disposable income, surging R&D activities, and growing awareness of cancer therapeutics among the population. In China, Japan, and India, increasing prevalence of cancer is positively driving the market growth. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in India, around 2.25 million cancer cases are diagnosed every year. In Japan, the cancer rate is at 248 people per 100,000 people. The rising prevalence of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and increasing level of pathogenic mutations, such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), is subsequently boosting the need for EGFR-targeting therapy with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors. Apart from this, the rising medical tourism and increasing investments by umpteen key players, such as Novartis and Sino Biological, in healthcare expansion are boosting the market growth.

Segmental Analysis

Elgemtumab Segment to Dominate the Market during the Forecast Period

Elgemtumab is under investigation in clinical trial NCT02167854, an open-label study evaluating the safety and tolerability of LJM716, BYL719, and Trastuzumab in patients with metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. It (LJM716) is an antibody directed against HER3 developed for Novartis. Currently, it is being tested in a Phase 2 trial in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, or ESCC, (in combination with BYL719) and Phase 1 in HER2 positive cancer (in combination with BYL719 and Trastuzumab and combination with Trastuzumab only).

Functional screening of selected clones for the ability to inhibit both ligand-dependent and independent HER3 signaling and cell growth inevitably resulted in the isolation of elgemtumab. It binds to an epitope comprised of an interface between domains II and IV of HER3 that is mainly accountable for the inactive form of the receptor. As a result, elgemtumab locks HER3 in an inactive form and prevents ligand-induced activation of HER3. It does not prevent the adhesion of HRG to the receptor.

Potent anti-tumor effects of elgemtumab have been shown in in-vivo xenograft studies with superlative tumor growth inhibition in conjunction with either Trastuzumab or cetuximab. Elgemtumab has been estimated as a monotherapy in clinical phase 1 studies of patients with advanced solid tumors, squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN), and gastric or breast cancers [NCT01598077 and NCT01911936]. Numerous Phase 1 or 1/2 studies of elgemtumab pooled with Trastuzumab or a pI3Kα-inhibitor in the breast, gastric, or esophageal cancers are enduring (NCT01822613, NCT02167854, and NCT01602406), leading to segmental growth.

Non-small Cell Carcinomas Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share during the Forecast Period

ERBB3 plays an important role in mediating cellular growth and differentiation. Recently, it was identified that CD74-NRG1 fusions lead to overexpression of the EGF-like domain of NRG1 and activates ERBB3 and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. The fusion was detected in lung adenocarcinomas and served as an important oncogenic factor for ERBB3 driven cancer. A sequential virtual screening strategy has been applied to ERBB3 crystal structure using databases of natural products and Chinese traditional medicine compounds to identify a group of small molecular compound, which has the capability to block ERBB3.

Recently, six small molecular compounds were selected for in-vitro analysis, of which five of the molecules inhibited the growth of A549 cells. Among them, the VS1 compound is the most promising one with IC50 values of 269.75 μM as compared to the positive control of nimustine hydrochloride with IC50 values of 264.14 μM. ERBB3 is mutated in about 2.22% of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients. It is an inclusion criterion in two clinical trials for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Extended-release flucytosine, HER2 inhibitor tas0728, and vocimagene amiretrorepvec are the most frequent therapies in non-small cell lung carcinoma trials with ERBB3 alterations as inclusion criteria.

Recent Developments

• In January 2019, Merus N.V., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, collaborated with Betta Pharmaceuticals
• In January 2019, GSK acquired Tesoro
• In November 2016, OriGene Technologies, Inc. entered into a multi-year strategic agreement with EdiGene