Market Assessment: Strategic Decisions for Investing or Divesting into an Oncological Asset

Objective: Capturing Portfolio Potential in Immuno-Oncology

The aim of the study by DelveInsight Business Research LLP (featured in its “Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Market Potential” case-study) was to evaluate the market potential of a recently acquired oncological asset, specifically in the immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) space, and to assess whether the company should continue investing in development or divest the asset to streamline its portfolio. The strategic decision hinges on long-term value creation, alignment with core pipeline assets, and resource allocation in a crowded and fast-moving immuno-oncology environment.

Problem Statement: Crossroads for a Novel Oncology Asset

A leading global pharmaceutical company acquired a mid-cap biotech firm with a novel asset that complements its in-house ICI programme. The question: Should the company double-down on this asset for long-haul development, or divest it and redirect resources? The challenge arises from the high cost of late-stage oncology development, uncertain differentiation amid existing ICIs, and evolving market access/reimbursement dynamics. The decision required rigorous market assessment: therapeutic positioning, competitive benchmarking, clinical risk, and financial modelling.

Our Methodology: Multi-angle Intelligence for Actionable Insight

DelveInsight applied a robust methodology combining secondary research, primary stakeholder interviews, competitive intelligence, clinical-trial deep dives, and quantitative market modelling.

• Secondary research: reviewing published clinical data, regulatory filings, historical market trends for ICIs.
• Primary research: engaging oncologists, payers, researchers to gauge perceptions, prescribing habits and unmet needs.
• Competitive benchmarking: comparing the new asset against marketed and pipeline ICIs (efficacy, safety, differentiation, price/reimbursement).
• Clinical-trial analysis: dissecting endpoints, trial design, regulatory probability.
• Market forecasting: projecting market size, revenue trajectories, growth drivers/barriers across scenarios.

Throughout, DelveInsight offers clients therapeutic-area insight, disease-landscape modelling, competitor profiles and quantitative forecasts, enabling evidence-based strategic decisions.

Results: Strategic Clarity and Roadmap for Action

The assessment delivered a suite of outputs: executive-level analysis of strategic fit, disease-landscape breakdown, treatment-algorithm mapping, market drivers/barriers, SWOT, competitor overview, revenue forecast under multiple scenarios. 

In practical terms, the company gained:

• A clear view of how the new asset would slot into current therapeutic pathways and its differentiation potential.
• Forecasts of market size and revenue under “invest further” versus “divest or partner” scenarios.
• Strategic recommendations: whether to continue internal development, seek licensing/partnering, or divest for faster capital recovery.

By doing so, DelveInsight enabled the client to move from uncertainty to a reasoned decision - backed by data - about whether to invest or divest an oncological ICI asset.

In conclusion, for firms navigating the high-stakes immuno-oncology arena, having a partner like DelveInsight offers invaluable clarity: deep market and clinical intelligence, competitive insight, and financial modelling essential for making strategic timing and investment decisions in an arena where speed, differentiation and access matter critically.