I still remember when immuno-oncology first started making waves. The buzz around checkpoint inhibitors was electric—PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4—suddenly, we were talking about cancer therapies that could unlock the immune system instead of just targeting the tumor. Fast forward a decade, and the I-O space is no longer the Wild West; it’s a global arena packed with contenders, big bets, and evolving science.

But here’s the thing: next-gen immuno-oncology is an entirely different game, and competitive intelligence is no longer optional—it’s essential.

We’re moving beyond single-agent checkpoint therapies into a world of bispecifics, cell therapies, oncolytic viruses, and personalized cancer vaccines. It’s exciting, no doubt—but it’s also incredibly noisy. That’s where CI becomes not just valuable but mission-critical.

The Shift: From “Can It Work?” to “What Works Better?”

The early I-O era was about proving the concept. Now, we’re past the honeymoon stage. The industry is asking more complex questions:

• Why do only some patients respond?
• How do we address resistance mechanisms?
• Which combinations are worth the risk—and cost?

I see clients wrestling with the complexity of a space that’s maturing and fragmenting simultaneously. For every promising new target like LAG-3 or TIGIT, a dozen fade in Phase II. For every CAR-T success story, there are ongoing debates around durability, cost, and scalability.

The role of CI here is to cut through the noise and find the signal:

• Which MOAs are generating repeatable success across indications?
• Who’s winning the biomarker arms race?
• Where are regulatory agencies leaning in—or pushing back?

Having answers to these questions is the difference between following the hype and leading with insight.

Combination Therapy: The Strategic Crossroads

One of the most pressing challenges in I-O right now is combination strategy. Everyone’s looking to boost efficacy through novel pairings, but that means navigating a minefield of trial designs, overlapping tox profiles, and competitive partnerships.

When I’m supporting teams in this space, CI becomes the lens through which we evaluate:

• Which companies are testing the same combos in the same populations?
• How are KOLs and clinical sites responding to data readouts in real time?
• What endpoints and surrogate markers are gaining traction?

I’ve seen smart teams pivot early—sometimes even before a data release—because they had the right competitive signals pointing to a shift in the standard of care or a competitor accelerating timelines.

Cell Therapies & Novel Modalities: CI Meets Platform Strategy

CAR-T and TCR therapies have opened the door to cell-based I-O, but the platform wars are just getting started. Autologous vs. allogeneic. Ex vivo vs. in vivo editing. Viral vs. non-viral vectors.

Here, competitive intelligence isn’t just about tracking molecules—it’s about understanding business models and platform positioning:

• Which companies have true scalability in manufacturing?
• Where are regulatory bottlenecks slowing the field?
• Who’s building the right partnerships—tech, academic, or CDMO?

I’ve worked with clients who used this insight to avoid platform dead ends or strategically time licensing deals before their rivals even realized the asset was in play.

The Commercial Reality: Differentiation or Bust

Let’s be honest—paying six figures for another PD-1 clone with no clinical edge is a non-starter. Payers, providers, and patients demand clear differentiation, forcing companies to rethink their launch strategies.

CI is instrumental here in shaping commercial readiness:

• What does the competitive label look like, and where are the holes?
• Are we hearing resistance in advisory boards around side effects or administration?
• How do we carve out value in a space crowded with me-too’s?

Competitive intelligence helps teams go to market with purpose—not just another mechanism, but a real story that resonates.

Final Thoughts

Next-gen immuno-oncology isn’t a single trend—it’s an explosion of science, strategy, and competition. We’re watching the future of cancer care take shape in real-time, and it’s as thrilling as it is overwhelming.

That’s why I believe competitive intelligence plays such a pivotal role right now. Because in a complex field, the winners won’t just be the ones with the best molecule—they’ll have the most precise view of the battlefield.

And CI, when it’s done right, doesn’t just tell you what the competition is doing. It helps you make smarter bets, faster moves, and braver decisions.