TheraRadar
Landscape / Oncology
Page updated Jul 4, 2026 · using data updated on Jun 28, 2026

Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Trial Landscape

Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers that start in the squamous cells lining the moist surfaces of the head and neck, such as the mouth, throat, and voice box. Clinical trials are essential for advancing treatment options and improving outcomes for patients affected by these cancers.

Since 2008, 1,196 trials have been registered, with 520 currently active, meaning they are recruiting, enrolling, or active but not recruiting. The majority of active trials are in Phase 1 and Phase 2, with 224 and 333 trials respectively, while Phase 3 trials account for 55 active studies.

This suggests a strong focus on early-stage drug development and investigation of novel therapeutic approaches. Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. leads industry sponsorship with 8 active trials, followed by AstraZeneca with 6.

V. are also prominent sponsors, each with 4 active trials.

The relatively small number of Phase 4 trials (6 active) suggests limited activity in confirmatory studies and long-term outcome research.

Trial activity

533 active / 1,232 total since 2008
Active by phase 56 Ph3 / 112 335 Ph2 / 722 133 Ph1 / 372 9 Ph4 / 26

Competitive Intelligence

This Head and Neck Cancer competitive landscape maps 11 companies against 14 mechanisms of action (MOA) across 15 active drug-development programs, including 1 with a confirmed FDA PDUFA date. Each cell is the lead program for a company–mechanism pair — its trial phase, modality, combination, and nearest readout. Read down a column to see who is competing on the same mechanism in Head and Neck Cancer, across a row to see one company's mechanistic spread, and click any cell for the full program list and trial links.

Beta 11 companies 14 mechanisms 15 programs mapped 5 lowTrust (33%) 1 ⚖ PDUFA-dated ⏰ 4 due ≤6 mo click any cell → asset tearsheet
At a glance

Head and Neck Cancer shows 15 programs across 11 companies and 14 mechanisms. The most contested mechanism is EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC (6 programs).

Key findings
  • 83% of EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC programs (5 of 6) are combos with novel agents — class-extension work, not class-validation.
  • Top 3 mechanisms (EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC, EGFR × HER3 bispecific, EGFR) account for ~16% of programs — class concentration is low.
  • Sichuan Baili runs 13 programs — the deepest pipeline in this view.
  • 25 hot readouts in next 6 months — most imminent: Sichuan Baili (EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC).
  • 27 trials are stale (overdue without status change) — possible class-maturity inflection or operational issue.
  • 51 single-program mechanisms in the long tail — 14 are Ph2+ first-in-class first-mover bets.
  • 45 NME candidates in the long tail.
  • Most-novel-of-novel: Johnson & Johnson Hafnium-oxide radioenhancer (Ph3) — first-in-class within scope + NME candidate.

Forward catalysts next 18 months⏰ 4 due ≤6 mo⚖ 1 PDUFA-dated

Nearest first. ⚖ Confirmed FDA PDUFA dates (curated calendar, primary sources) and 📅 estimated readouts (ClinicalTrials.gov primaryCompletionDate — a timing proxy, not a confirmed action date). Red = due within 6 months.

Company × Mechanism

Each cell = a company’s most-advanced program in that mechanism. Click for the asset tearsheet.
Unverified (lowTrust) cells:
Ph1 Ph2 Ph3 Ph4 ⚠ lowTrust +combo
Select & Focus Pro 🔒 Transpose, filtering, selection & export are Pro (search & sort are free) — start a free trial, or try them free on our showcase →
EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC
EGFR × HER3 bispecific
PD-1 (dostarlimab)
EGFR × HER3 bispecific ADC
EGFR / MET bispecific
PD-L1 ADC
PD-1 (Hanzhong)
CD47
EGFR / LGR5 bispecific
PD-1 (cemiplimab)
TCR
EGFR
Nectin-4 ADC
PD-1 (pembrolizumab)
🇨🇳Sichuan Baili
GSK
Johnson & Johnson
🇨🇳Shanghai Henlius
🇨🇳Shanghai Miracogen
ALX Oncology
CSPC Megalith Biopharmaceutic…
Merus B.V.
Rakuten Medical
Corregene
Regeneron

Phase 3 leaders · most advanced

  1. recruiting National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCT06589804
  2. active National Cancer Institute (NCI) NCT05063552
  3. recruiting Canadian Cancer Trials Group NCT06641791
  4. recruiting Oslo University Hospital NCT07580300
  5. recruiting Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology NCT06992427

Beyond the grid Beta

What the matrix leaves out — rare mechanisms with only one player, small & emerging sponsors, and programs we haven’t classified yet.

Single-company mechanisms — BD white space 13 found

Mechanisms only ONE company is pursuing in this indication — the uncrowded / first-in-class bets the matrix cap hides. ⚡ first-in-class · ⚠ unverified mechanism. ⚡ first-in-class is computed across 61 mapped landscapes — scope-limited, not a global claim.
⚡ first-in-class · 🌱 first-in-indication · 🆕 NME candidate · ✅ AI-classified + verified · ⚙️ AI-classified, unverified · first-in-class computed across 61 mapped landscapes
Single-program mechanisms (51) — one program each — earliest-stage, sorted by phase
PhaseMechanismCompanyModalityReadoutTrial
Ph3 Anti-PD-1 (mAb) 🌱 ⚙️ Akeso 1Q26 NCT04974398
Ph3 Hafnium-oxide radioenhancer ⚡ 🌱 🆕 Johnson & Johnson IV 2Q28 NCT04892173
Ph3 HGF ⚡ 🌱 🆕 AVEO IV 3Q27 NCT06064877
Ph2+Ph3 Localized chemotherapy delivery system ⚡ 🌱 ⚙️ Privo Technologies Oral ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05893888
Ph2+Ph3 OX40 agonist ⚡ 🌱 🆕 Inhibrx IV 2Q29 NCT06295731
Ph3 PD-1 / CTLA-4 bispecific antibody 🌱 🆕 AstraZeneca 2Q30 NCT06129864
Ph3 PD-1 / VEGF bispecific 🌱 🆕 Akeso IV ⏰ 1Q27 NCT06601335
Ph3 PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR 🌱 Changchun GeneScience Oral 2Q27 NCT06772428
Ph3 Topoisomerase II inhibitor ⚡ 🌱 ⚙️ CSPC Zhongnuo Pharmaceuti… Oral ⏰ 3Q26 NCT05717764
Ph2 Anti-EGFR (mAb) ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Shanghai Henlius 3Q24 NCT05513573
Ph2 Anti-LAG-3 ⚡ 🌱 ⚙️ Incyte Biosciences Intern… IV 1Q25 NCT05287113
Ph1+Ph2 Anti-PD-L1 (mAb) 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Shanghai Chia Tai Tianqin… SC 1Q29 NCT07601204
Ph2 B7-H3 ADC 🌱 🆕 Daiichi Sankyo 3Q28 NCT06330064
Ph2 Botanical anti-inflammatory ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Aveta Biomics ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05312710
Ph2 CDK4/6 🌱 Pfizer IV ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05226871
Ph1+Ph2 CHK1 inhibitor 🌱 🆕 Sumitomo Pharma America 4Q28 NCT06526819
Ph2 DLL3 ADC 🌱 🆕 Hansoh BioMedical R&D Com… 4Q25 NCT06007729
Ph2 EGFR ADC 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Shanghai Miracogen IV 4Q24 NCT05126719
Ph2 HDAC inhibitor ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ HitGen 4Q28 NCT06781567
Ph2 HER3 ⚡ 🌱 🆕 Shanghai Institute Of Bio… ⏰ 3Q26 NCT06194656
Ph1+Ph2 HPV 🌱 🆕 Theravectys IM ⏰ 2Q26 NCT06319963
Ph1+Ph2 HPV E6/E7 ⚡ 🌱 🆕 Cellid 1Q27 NCT06797986
Ph1+Ph2 Hypoxia-activated prodrug 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ AbbVie 4Q27 NCT06782555
Ph2 IL-15 superagonist 🌱 🆕 ImmunityBio IV 4Q30 NCT07628062
Ph2 LAG-3 🌱 🆕 Regeneron IV 1Q25 NCT03916627
Ph2 Mitochondrial ROS scavenger ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ MitoImmune 4Q25 NCT04651634
Ph1+Ph2 MTAP / PRMT5 🌱 🆕 Amgen Oral ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05094336
Ph2 Nrf2 activator ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ EpicentRx Oral 3Q27 NCT05966194
Ph2 PD-L1 / VEGF-A bispecific antibody 🌱 🆕 DualityBio 2Q30 NCT06953089
Ph1+Ph2 Personalized neoantigen vaccine 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Transgene 4Q27 NCT04183166
Ph2 PKC activator ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ QBiotics Group Limited 3Q25 NCT05608876
Ph1+Ph2 T CELL RECEPTOR 🌱 🆕 Marengo ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05592626
Ph2 TIGIT 🌱 🆕 Gilead Sciences IV ⏰ 3Q26 NCT06727565
Ph2 Undisclosed target 🌱 🆕 Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Bio… 3Q28 NCT07668154
Ph1 Anti-SIGNAL (mAb) 🌱 🆕 Boehringer Ingelheim IV 3Q24 NCT05249426
Ph1 AQP1 ⚡ 🌱 🆕 MeiraGTx Gene therapy ⏰ 3Q26 NCT02446249
Ph1 Boron neutron capture agent ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Neutron IV 4Q25 NCT07058116
Ph1 c-Met ADC ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ AbbVie IV 2Q29 NCT07241039
Ph1 CD3 × CD28 × PSMA trispecific ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Johnson & Johnson IV 3Q28 NCT07219212
Ph1 EGFR × c-MET (ADC) 🌱 🆕 Doma Biopharmaceutical(Su… ⏰ 4Q26 NCT06515990
Ph1 HPV16 E6 ONCOPROTEIN ⚡ 🌱 🆕 NexImmune IV ⏰ 3Q26 NCT05582590
Ph1 HPV16 E6/E7 🌱 🆕 BlueSky Immunotherapies 4Q27 NCT06589609
Ph1 HPV18-specific CAR-T 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ HRYZ IV 4Q27 NCT05952947
Ph1 IL-12 ⚡ 🌱 🆕 VLP IV 4Q27 NCT06736379
Ph1 MAGE-A1 (HLA-A*02:01 TCR-T) 🌱 🆕 TScan ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05973487
Ph1 MAGE-A1 × CD3 bispecific 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Corregene 1Q30 NCT07583316
Ph1 MAPK PATHWAY 🌱 🆕 Erasca IV 1Q26 NCT04670679
Ph1 Oncolytic adenovirus (TNFα/IL-2 armed) 🌱 🆕 TILT Biotherapeutics IV ⏰ 4Q26 NCT05222932
Ph1 Radioligand (isotope-labeled) 🌱 🆕 Boehringer Ingelheim ⏰ 3Q26 NCT05068102
Ph1 Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) ⚡ 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ MegaPro Biomedical ⏰ 2Q26 NCT06540443
Ph1 therapeutic tumor vaccine 🌱 🆕 ⚙️ Therorna ⏰ 3Q26 NCT07081984
Emerging & small-cap sponsors (8) — few programs here — partnering / M&A radar
PhaseMechanismCompanyModalityReadoutTrial
Ph2 Nectin-4 ADC Astellas Pharma Global De… IV 1Q25 NCT04225117
Ph1 EGFR EpiBiologics 3Q29 NCT07462377
Ph2 🇨🇳 PD-1 (Hanzhong) Lepu Biopharma 4Q27 NCT07586124
Ph3 PD-1 (pembrolizumab) Merck & Co. IV 3Q24 NCT03765918
Ph3 PD-1 (pembrolizumab) PDS IV 1Q29 NCT06790966
Ph3 EGFR R-Pharm IV 3Q25 NCT07435324
Ph1+Ph2 TCR SCG Cell Therapy Pte. IV ⏰ 4Q26 NCT06505551
Ph2 🇨🇳 EGFR Shanghai JMT-Bio IV 4Q25 NCT06892431
Unclassified programs (33) — mechanism not captured yet
PhaseMechanismCompanyModalityReadoutTrial
Ph3 KL-A167, Gemcitabine, Cisplatinunclassified Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Bio… NCT05294172
Ph2+Ph3 BNT113, Pembrolizumabunclassified BioNTech SE NCT04534205
Ph2+Ph3 Ficerafusp alfa, Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®), Placebounclassified Bicara Therapeutics NCT06788990
Ph2+Ph3 Zanzalintinib, Zanzalintinib-matched Placebo, Pembrolizumabunclassified Exelixis NCT06082167
Ph3 YL201, Docetaxel, Capecitabineunclassified MediLink Therapeutics (Su… NCT06629597
Ph3 Physician's Choice SOCunclassified Rakuten Medical, Inc. NCT03769506
Ph2+Ph3 IAE0972+ Methotrexate, IAE0972+Docetaxel, IAE0972+Gemcitabineunclassified SUNHO(China)BioPharmaceut… NCT06719479
Ph3 BupiZenge 25 mg, Lidocaine viscous 2%unclassified OncoZenge AB NCT07672236
Ph3 APG-157unclassified Aveta Biomics, Inc. NCT07667296
Ph1+Ph2 STX-478, Fulvestrant, Ribociclibunclassified Eli Lilly and Company NCT05768139
Ph2 FID007unclassified Fulgent Pharma LLC. NCT06332092
Ph2 VS-101, Cisplatinunclassified VSPharmTech Co.,Ltd. NCT06959082
Ph1+Ph2 Auto-DC (Autologous Dendritic Cell as Adjuvant Therapy), Combin…unclassified PT. Prodia Stem Cell Indo… NCT05261750
Ph2 NRC-2694-A, Paclitaxelunclassified NATCO Pharma Ltd. NCT05283226
Ph1+Ph2 YL201, Toripalimab, Cisplatinunclassified MediLink Therapeutics (Su… NCT07258979
Ph2 Tislelizumab, BGB-A425, LBL-007unclassified BeiGene NCT05909904
Ph1+Ph2 RiMO-301unclassified Coordination Pharmaceutic… NCT05838729
Ph1+Ph2 SHR-A2102, Adebrelimab, Cetuximabunclassified Suzhou Suncadia Biopharma… NCT07059221
Ph2 VV1, Cemiplimabunclassified Vyriad, Inc. NCT04291105
Ph1+Ph2 Ixovex-1, Pembrolizumabunclassified Psivac Ltd NCT06549946
Ph1+Ph2 VB10.16, Pembrolizumabunclassified Nykode Therapeutics ASA NCT06016920
Ph1+Ph2 TL117, Paclitaxelunclassified Suzhou Junde Biotechnolog… NCT04843098
Ph2 LVGN6051 Monoclonal Antibody Injection, toripalimab Injection, …unclassified Lyvgen Biopharma Holdings… NCT06378177
Ph1+Ph2 EOS-448, pembrolizumab, inupadenantunclassified iTeos Belgium SA NCT05060432
Ph2 IO102-IO103, Pembrolizumab KEYTRUDA®unclassified IO Biotech NCT05280314
Ph1+Ph2 EGFR/HER2 Dual-Target CAR-NK Cells, Fludarabine, Cyclophosphami…unclassified Beijing Biotech NCT07617805
Ph1+Ph2 axelopran, Pembolizumabunclassified Glycyx Therapeutics NCT07662720
Ph1 BI 770371, Pembrolizumab, Cetuximabunclassified Boehringer Ingelheim NCT06806852
Ph1 BI 765179, Ezabenlimab, Pembrolizumabunclassified Boehringer Ingelheim NCT04958239
Ph1 X-ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Therapy in Head and Neck, Breas…unclassified Immunolight, LLC NCT04389281
Ph1 WU-NK-101 - Dose Escalation, Cetuximab - Dose Escalation, WU-NK…unclassified Wugen, Inc. NCT05674526
Ph1 A Single Arm, Prospective, Open Label, Multi Center, Phase Ib S…unclassified IntraGel Therapeutics NCT05200650
Ph1 U87 autologous CAR T-cellunclassified Shanghai Unicar-Therapy B… NCT06614686
Drugs in this landscape: Amivantamab · Dostarlimab · Pembrolizumab

Sponsor activity

Who is running trials now — green active, blue completed, red failed/terminated.

Sorted by active Active Done Failed
Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 8 0 0
AstraZeneca 6 5 0
Rakuten Medical, Inc. 4 1 2
Merus B.V. 4 0 0
Boehringer Ingelheim 3 1 0
ALX Oncology Inc. 3 0 0
Exelixis 3 0 0
Pfizer 2 2 10
Eli Lilly 2 2 1
Seagen, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer 2 2 1
Regeneron 2 0 2
Inhibrx Biosciences, Inc 2 0 1
ImmunityBio, Inc. 2 0 1
Johnson & Johnson 2 0 0
USWM CT, LLC 2 0 0

All 15 active Head and Neck Cancer sponsors

Unlock the remaining 7 sponsors with active / completed / failed counts — sortable and exportable.

Unlock with Pro

How the field has grown

New-trial starts peaked in 2024 (112 registered); 2025 saw 101. The right-hand chart shows median Phase 3 enrollment by start year — the number in parentheses is that year's Phase 3 trial count (70 in total), so single-trial years (and years with no Phase 3 starts) are obvious. Both are by trial start date; the current year is partial.

New trials started by year

2016
40
2017
55
2018
77
2019
81
2020
87
2021
93
2022
84
2023
101
2024
112
2025
101
2026
88

TheraRadar.com

Median Phase 3 enrollment by start year

2016 (2)
822
2017 (6)
233
2018 (5)
200
2019 (2)
148
2020 (7)
370
2021 (4)
161
2022 (6)
124
2023 (6)
307
2024 (13)
410
2025 (10)
207
2026 (9)
356

TheraRadar.com

Full trial pipeline

Every active and completed trial across Phase 1–4, with enrollment analytics. Sortable, filterable, exportable with Pro.

NCT06589804 RECRUITING
Testing the Addition of Anti-Cancer Drug, Cetuximab, to Standard of Care Treatment (Pembrolizumab) for Returning or Spreading Head and Neck Cancer After Previous Treatment
National Cancer Institute (NCI) n=158
NCT05063552 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Testing the Use of Investigational Drugs Atezolizumab and/or Bevacizumab With or Without Standard Chemotherapy in the Second-Line Treatment of Advanced-Stage Head and Neck Cancers
National Cancer Institute (NCI) n=430
NCT06641791 RECRUITING
Palliative Steroeotactic Body Radiotherapy vs Palliative Standard Radiotherapy in Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Canadian Cancer Trials Group n=196
NCT07580300 RECRUITING
Proton Versus Photon Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas.
Oslo University Hospital n=400
NCT06992427 RECRUITING
High-dose Prophylactic Gabapentin (HOPE) vs. Placebo to Prevent Opioid Use for Oral Mucositis Pain During Concurrent Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology n=228
NCT06525220 RECRUITING
A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Petosemtamab Plus Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer (LiGeR - HN1)
Merus B.V. n=700
NCT07276399 RECRUITING
A Study of Amivantamab in Addition to Standard of Care Agents (SOC) Compared With SOC Alone in Participants With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
Janssen Research & Development, LLC n=500
NCT06295731 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
INBRX-106 in Combination With Pembrolizumab in First-line PD-L1 CPS≥20 HNSCC
Inhibrx Biosciences, Inc n=410
NCT07528495 RECRUITING
A Trial Evaluating Omission of Radiotherapy to Regional Lymphatic's
All India Institute of Medical Sciences n=396
NCT05721755 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Combining Radiation Therapy With Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group n=290
NCT05815927 RECRUITING
Pembrolizumab and Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Head and Neck Cancer
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer - EORTC n=200
NCT07441681 NOT YET RECRUITING
Comparing Radiation Plus Cetuximab to Radiation Plus Chemotherapy in People With Head and Neck Cancer Who Cannot Receive Cisplatin
NRG Oncology n=454
NCT07535567 NOT YET RECRUITING
Postoperative Radiotherapy With Nimotuzumab ± Benmelstobart in Intermediate-Risk Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University n=386
NCT04966481 RECRUITING
Palbociclib and Cetuximab Versus Cetuximab Monotherapy for Patients With CDKN2A-altered, HPV-unrelated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Who Experienced Disease Progression on a PD-1/L1 Inhibitor
Washington University School of Medicine n=81
NCT01266044 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Controlled Trial Of Acupuncture To Prevent Radiation-Induced Xerostomia
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center n=435
NCT04534205 RECRUITING
A Clinical Trial Investigating the Safety, Tolerability, and Therapeutic Effects of BNT113 in Combination With Pembrolizumab Versus Pembrolizumab Alone for Patients With a Form of Head and Neck Cancer Positive for Human Papilloma Virus 16 and Expressing the Protein PD-L1
BioNTech SE n=350
NCT07524452 RECRUITING
Becotatug Vedotin (MRG003) in Combination With PD-1 Inhibitor Versus PD-1 Inhibitor for the Treatment of EGFR-positive, CPS≥1 Resectable Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Ming-Yuan Chen n=430
NCT06064877 RECRUITING
A Study of Ficlatuzumab in Combination With Cetuximab in Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic (R/M) HPV Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. n=410
NCT06790966 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Phase 3 Study of PDS0101 and Pembrolizumab in HPV16+ Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
PDS Biotechnology Corp. n=252
NCT07509099 NOT YET RECRUITING
Cetuximab Combined With Pembrolizumab or Finotonlimab and Chemotherapy in R/M HNSCC
Ji Dongmei n=316
NCT07467083 RECRUITING
Development and Application of a Nurse-Led Preemptive Symptom Management Protocol for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
West China Hospital n=170
NCT06496178 RECRUITING
A Phase 3 Study to Evaluate Petosemtamab Compared With Investigator's Choice Monotherapy in Previously Treated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients (LiGeR-HN2)
Merus B.V. n=600
NCT03519048 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Multicentric Comparative Study Between a Conventional and an Intensive Follow up Strategy After Treatment of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris n=197
NCT06788990 RECRUITING
FORTIFI-HN01: A Study of Ficerafusp Alfa (BCA101) or Placebo in Combination With Pembrolizumab in First-Line PD-L1-pos, R or M HNSCC
Bicara Therapeutics n=650
NCT06129864 RECRUITING
A Global Study of Volrustomig (MEDI5752) for Participants With Unresected Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Following Definitive Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
AstraZeneca n=1,145
NCT04590963 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of Monalizumab Plus Cetuximab Compared to Placebo Plus Cetuximab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
AstraZeneca n=370
NCT07026474 RECRUITING
Re-Radiochemotherapy and Pembrolizumab vs. Immuno(Chemo)Therapy for Locoregionally Recurrent PD-L1 Positive (CPS≥1) HNSCC
Universität des Saarlandes n=214
NCT07435324 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of RPH-002 and Erbitux® in Unresectable Metastatic or Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
R-Pharm n=161
NCT07432087 NOT YET RECRUITING
Camrelizumab Combined With EGFR Monoclonal Antibody or Chemotherapy for Perioperative Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Yue He, MD n=246
NCT04967391 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Tumescence in HNC Skin Graft Reconstruction
University of California, Davis n=58
NCT07371897 NOT YET RECRUITING
Toripalimab ± Chemo as Neoadjuvant Therapy in LA-HNSCC: A Phase III Trial
Sun Yat-sen University n=154
NCT07320690 NOT YET RECRUITING
De-Escalation Surgery After Immunotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University n=356
NCT00956007 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
RT With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group n=702
NCT06851663 RECRUITING
Trop2-targeted immunoPET Imaging of Solid Tumors
RenJi Hospital n=400
NCT06699212 RECRUITING
A Study of ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy in Combination With Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Locoregional Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck With No Distant Metastases
Rakuten Medical, Inc. n=412
NCT05273307 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Addressing Taste Dysfunction With Miraculin in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy
University of California, San Francisco n=40
NCT03340896 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Trial of Laryngeal Preservation Comparing Induced CT Followed by RT vs CT Concomitant to RT
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=256
NCT06082167 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Study of Zanzalintinib (XL092) + Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab in Subjects With PD-L1 Positive Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Exelixis n=600
NCT06492460 RECRUITING
2 Courses of Concurrent Cisplatin Chemoradiotherapy After Surgery for High-risk Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sun Yat-sen University n=422
NCT05078047 RECRUITING
Study Comparing the Standard Administration of IO Versus the Same IO Administered Each 3 Months in Patients in Response After 6 Months of Standard IO
UNICANCER n=646
NCT04178174 RECRUITING
Stereotactic Boost and Short-course Radiation Therapy for Oropharynx Cancer
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) n=360
NCT02998385 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Chemo-radiotherapy Versus Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Salivary Glands and Nasal Tumors (IMRT or Protontherapy)
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=342
NCT03576417 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
A Trial Evaluating the Addition of Nivolumab to Cisplatin-RT for Treatment of Cancers of the Head and Neck
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=680
NCT02999087 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
Randomized Trial of Avelumab-cetuximab-radiotherapy Versus SOCs in LA SCCHN (REACH)
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=707
NCT03769506 ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) Study in Recurrent Head/Neck Cancer for Patients Who Have Failed at Least Two Lines of Therapy
Rakuten Medical, Inc. n=135
NCT06772428 NOT YET RECRUITING
Nano-crystalline Megestrol Acetate for Adjuvant Treatment in High-risk Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Surgery.
Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. n=96
NCT06719479 NOT YET RECRUITING
A Clinical Trial to Evaluate Effect of IAE0972 Combined with Chemotherapy for R/M HNSCC or NPC(Note: It is Currently Phase II.).
SUNHO(China)BioPharmaceutical CO., Ltd. n=60
NCT06601335 RECRUITING
A Phase 3 Study of AK112 Plus AK117 Versus Pembrolizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC)
Akeso n=510
NCT04747054 RECRUITING
Study on the Efficacy of Treatment by Radiotherapy and Pembrolizumab in Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Head & Neck Cancers
UNICANCER n=102
NCT06647563 NOT YET RECRUITING
Neoadjuvant Toripalimab + Chemotherapy ± Cetuximab in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Neo-ICT)
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University n=355
NCT06248996 RECRUITING
a Multicentre Phase III Study of Risk-based Treatment Intensification With Hyperfractionated Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Lund University Hospital n=308
NCT03755739 RECRUITING
Trans-Artery/Intra-Tumor Infusion of Checkpoint Inhibitors Plus Chemodrug for Immunotherapy of Advanced Solid Tumors
Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University n=200
NCT06102395 RECRUITING
Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab Plus Standard Chemotherapy in the Neoadjuvant Treatment of Local Advanced (LA) HNSCC
Beijing Tongren Hospital n=272
NCT05980715 RECRUITING
PD-1 Inhibitor Therapy Versus Radiotherapy in pCR Patients With Locally Advanced HNSCC After Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University n=324
NCT05044117 RECRUITING
Single-agent Capecitabine as Metronomic Chemotherapy in LAHNSCC (CMHN)
Sun Yat-sen University n=220
NCT07667296 NOT YET RECRUITING
APG-157 in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Aveta Biomics, Inc. n=826
NCT05050162 SUSPENDED
Comparing Cisplatin Every Three Weeks to Cisplatin Weekly When Combined With Radiation for Patients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
NRG Oncology n=1,714
NCT04199104 COMPLETED
A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as First Line (1L) Intervention in a Programmed Cell Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Selected Population With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) (MK-7902-010) (KEYNOTE-010)
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC n=511
NCT05523323 COMPLETED
A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) With or Without Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) as First Line (1L) Intervention in a Programmed Cell Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Selected Population With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) (MK-7902-010/LEAP-010)-China Extension
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC n=112
NCT05386550 TERMINATED
Phase III Xevinapant (Debio 1143) and Radiotherapy in Resected LA SCCHN, High Risk, Cisplatin-ineligible Participants (XRAY VISION)
EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. n=166
NCT03258554 COMPLETED
Radiation Therapy With Durvalumab or Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Who Cannot Take Cisplatin
National Cancer Institute (NCI) n=196
NCT01302834 COMPLETED
Radiation Therapy With Cisplatin or Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group n=987
NCT04157985 COMPLETED
Evaluating Length of Treatment With PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor in Advanced Solid Tumors
Dan Zandberg n=161
NCT03358472 COMPLETED
Pembrolizumab Plus Epacadostat, Pembrolizumab Monotherapy, and the EXTREME Regimen in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KEYNOTE-669/ECHO-304)
Incyte Corporation n=89
NCT04338399 COMPLETED
The BURAN Study of Buparlisib in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic HNSCC
Adlai Nortye Biopharma Co., Ltd. n=487
NCT04459715 TERMINATED
A Study of Xevinapant (Debio 1143) in Combination With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and Standard Fractionation Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy in Participants With Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Suitable for Definitive Chemoradiotherapy (TrilynX)
EMD Serono Research & Development Institute, Inc. n=730
NCT02358031 COMPLETED
A Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) for First Line Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck (MK-3475-048/KEYNOTE-048)
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC n=882
NCT05930938 TERMINATED
Study Comparing RT With Cetuximab + Xevinapant to RT With Cetuximab-placebo in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=19
NCT01345084 WITHDRAWN
Study Comparing Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy With or Without Nimotuzumab
Eurofarma Laboratorios S.A.
NCT01504815 COMPLETED
Adaptive Radiation Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer
The Netherlands Cancer Institute n=268
NCT03452137 TERMINATED
A Study of Atezolizumab (Anti-PD-L1 Antibody) as Adjuvant Therapy After Definitive Local Therapy in Patients With High-Risk Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Hoffmann-La Roche n=406
NCT01864850 COMPLETED
Non Inferiority Trial of Standard RT Versus Hypofractionated Split Course in Elderly Vulnerable Patients With HNSCC
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=202
NCT02741570 COMPLETED
Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab Compared to the Standard of Care (Extreme Regimen) as First Line Treatment in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Bristol-Myers Squibb n=947
NCT00820248 COMPLETED
Radiation + Cisplatin or Panitumumab in Locally Advanced Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer
NCIC Clinical Trials Group n=320
NCT01520701 COMPLETED
Impact of Applying a Bandage Skin Hydrogel on the Pains of the Head and Neck in Patients With Cancer of Head and Neck Treated With Radiotherapy
Centre Francois Baclesse n=125
NCT05364918 COMPLETED
Clinical Study On Acute Radiotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis In Patients With Locally Advanced Head And Neck Tumors
Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University n=100
NCT05802290 COMPLETED
NIVolumab in Subjects With Recurrent or Metastatic Platinum-refrACTORy SCCHN
Gruppo Oncologico del Nord-Ovest n=124
NCT04969861 TERMINATED
BEMPEG With Pembrolizumab vs Pembrolizumab Alone in Patients With Metastatic or Recurrent HNSCC (PROPEL-36)
Nektar Therapeutics n=1
NCT02997553 COMPLETED
Fluorescence for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification in Cancer Surgery
Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine n=744
NCT02105636 COMPLETED
Trial of Nivolumab vs Therapy of Investigator's Choice in Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Carcinoma (CheckMate 141)
Bristol-Myers Squibb n=361
NCT04129320 WITHDRAWN
Enoblituzumab Plus MGA012 or MGD013 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
MacroGenics
NCT01950689 COMPLETED
NIMRAD (A Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial of Synchronous NIMorazole Versus RADiotherapy Alone in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Not Suitable for Synchronous Chemotherapy or Cetuximab)
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust n=338
NCT02551159 COMPLETED
Phase III Open Label Study of MEDI 4736 With/Without Tremelimumab Versus Standard of Care (SOC) in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer
AstraZeneca n=823
NCT02952586 TERMINATED
Study To Compare Avelumab In Combination With Standard of Care Chemoradiotherapy (SoC CRT) Versus SoC CRT for Definitive Treatment In Patients With Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Head And Neck (JAVELIN HEAD AND NECK 100)
Pfizer n=697
NCT03349710 COMPLETED
Nivolumab or Nivolumab Plus Cisplatin, in Combination With Radiotherapy in Patients With Cisplatin-ineligible or Eligible Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer
Bristol-Myers Squibb n=74
NCT01427478 COMPLETED
Evaluation of Afatinib in Maintenance Therapy in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Centre Leon Berard n=134
NCT01126216 TERMINATED
Reduced Radiotherapy With Pac/Cis vs Standard Radiotherapy With 5-FU/Cis in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School n=221
NCT02369874 COMPLETED
Study of MEDI4736 Monotherapy and in Combination With Tremelimumab Versus Standard of Care Therapy in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
AstraZeneca n=736
NCT01969877 COMPLETED
A Study of Cisplatin Plus Radiotherapy Compared to Cetuximab Plus Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.
Lund University Hospital n=298
NCT00608205 COMPLETED
Radiation Therapy Cisplatin With or Without Fluorouracil Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center n=69
NCT00609284 COMPLETED
Randomized Trial of Concomitant Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced HNSCC Treated by Radiotherapy-erbitux
Groupe Oncologie Radiotherapie Tete et Cou n=406
NCT03342352 WITHDRAWN
Nivolumab Plus Epacadostat in Combination With Chemotherapy Versus the EXTREME Regimen in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (CheckMate 9NA/ECHO-310)
Incyte Corporation
NCT00656513 COMPLETED
Acupuncture-Like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ALTENS) or Pilocarpine in Treating Early Dry Mouth in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group n=196
NCT02715596 COMPLETED
Changes in Body Composition After EPA Supplementation in Head and Neck Patients
Institut Català d'Oncologia n=54
NCT00615420 COMPLETED
A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Manuka Honey for Oral Mucositis Due to Radiation Therapy for Cancer
British Columbia Cancer Agency n=106
NCT00716391 COMPLETED
TPF Plus Cisplatin and Radiotherapy vs TPF Plus Cetuximab and Radiotherapy to Treat Head and Neck Cancer.
Grupo Español de Tratamiento de Tumores de Cabeza y Cuello n=519
NCT03386838 WITHDRAWN
An Immuno-therapy Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Experimental Medication BMS-986205 Compared to Standard of Care EXTREME Regimen in First-line Recurrent/Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
Bristol-Myers Squibb
NCT03637335 TERMINATED
Comparing Palliative Radiotherapy With or Without Carboplatin
Institut Cancerologie de l'Ouest n=26
NCT00894101 WITHDRAWN
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging With [F-18] FLT Compared to [F-18] FDG in Cancer Patients for Treatment Evaluation
University of California, Irvine
NCT01156142 COMPLETED
Doxepin Hydrochloride in Treating Oral Mucositis Pain in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology n=155
NCT01545687 WITHDRAWN
CD2 Lozenges in Preventing Acute Oral Mucositis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
NCT01931150 COMPLETED
Study of Prophylactic Topical Dapsone 5% Gel Versus Moisturizer for Cetuximab-induced Papulopustular (Acneiform) Rash in Patients With mCRC or HNSCC Without Previous or Concurrent RT
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center n=11
NCT01161498 TERMINATED
Study of Safety and Efficacy of Talimogene Laherparepvec With Cisplatin and Radiotherapy for Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
BioVex Limited n=5
NCT02303197 COMPLETED
Clinical Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of Chining Decoction in the Treatment of Radiation Stomatitis
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital n=70
NCT01012258 COMPLETED
Cetuximab With Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck in Chinese Subjects
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany n=70
NCT01596933 COMPLETED
Effect of Omega-3 Supplements on the Prevention of Cachexia in Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Radio(Chemo)Therapy
General Hospital Groeninge n=91
NCT01086826 COMPLETED
Treatment of Patients With Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Associazione Volontari Pazienti Oncologici n=320
NCT01177956 COMPLETED
A Trial to Determine the Safety and Anti-tumor Activity Profile of the Combination of Cetuximab and Concomitant Cisplatin Plus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in Subjects With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Head and Neck
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany n=73
NCT00911326 TERMINATED
Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals n=101
NCT01812486 COMPLETED
Dose De-escalation to the Elective Nodal Sites in Head and Neck Cancer
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven n=200
NCT00814359 COMPLETED
Magic Mouthwash Plus Sucralfate Versus Benzydamine Hydrochloride for the Treatment of Radiation-induced Mucositis
Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation n=67
NCT00790322 COMPLETED
Efficacy and Safety Study of SBG vs Placebo in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Biotec Pharmacon ASA n=130

Full Head and Neck Cancer Pipeline

Every trial across Phase 1–4, plus enrollment analytics. Sortable, filterable, exportable.

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Frequently asked

Common questions about the Head and Neck Cancer landscape

How many companies are developing Head and Neck Cancer treatments?
11 companies have active or registered Head and Neck Cancer programs in TheraRadar's competitive landscape (91 classified trials). The most active are Sichuan Baili, GSK, and Johnson & Johnson.
What mechanisms of action are being developed for Head and Neck Cancer?
14 distinct mechanisms of action appear across the Head and Neck Cancer pipeline, including EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC, EGFR × HER3 bispecific, PD-1 (dostarlimab), EGFR × HER3 bispecific ADC, and EGFR / MET bispecific.
What is the most crowded mechanism in Head and Neck Cancer?
EGFR / HER3 bispecific ADC is the most contested mechanism in Head and Neck Cancer, with 6 programs mapped to it.
Are there upcoming Head and Neck Cancer clinical readouts or FDA decisions?
Near-term Head and Neck Cancer catalysts include SYS6010 injection (data readout, Jun '26); Pembrolizumab (FDA decision, Aug '26); BL-B01D1 (data readout, Nov '26). Dates combine estimated trial primary-completion readouts and confirmed FDA decision dates.
Where does TheraRadar's Head and Neck Cancer landscape data come from?
Programs are derived from industry-sponsored ClinicalTrials.gov registrations (2008–present) and classified by mechanism of action using a curated rule set plus an LLM pipeline. Every cell links to its underlying trials, so each program is verifiable.
Is the Head and Neck Cancer heatmap free to use?
Yes — viewing and searching the Head and Neck Cancer heatmap is free. A TheraRadar Pro subscription adds advanced filters, row/column selection, and one-click export to PowerPoint, PDF, and CSV.
How this is built — methodology & limits

These grids are only as good as the data and the classification behind them — so here is exactly what goes in, what stays out, how every assignment is made, and where the limits are.

Where the data comes from

Every heatmap is built from the public ClinicalTrials.gov registry, via its official API — interventional drug and biologic trials with a start date of 2008 or later. The master index holds over 145,000 trials and is refreshed weekly (see the “updated” date on this page). A disease landscape draws only from the active, Phase 1–3, industry-sponsored slice of that index.

  • In scope: industry-sponsored trials in Phase 1, 2, or 3, with an active status (recruiting, active-not-recruiting, not-yet-recruiting, or enrolling by invitation). Phase 4 sits in the index but is left out of the landscapes.
  • Filtered out: deeply stale programs (a primary completion date more than two years past with no update to completed or terminated); basket trials and incidental mentions (a trial counts toward a disease only when that disease is genuinely the subject of study — not a secondary cohort, an organ-of-origin overlap, or a passing mention); and healthy-volunteer studies.

We do not exclude trials by sponsor geography. Where a sponsor is based in China, the program is flagged on the page rather than hidden, so you can weigh it yourself. An automated test fails the weekly refresh if the underlying index is more than 14 days old, so a published grid is never built on a stale index.

How a trial is matched to a disease

Matching uses a structured medical ontology, not keyword guessing, and is designed so that no trial is ever silently dropped — every trial that clears the filters gets a classification, even if that is just “Other.” It runs as an ordered sequence of steps, stopping at the first that applies:

  1. Healthy-volunteer studies are set aside as non-disease trials.
  2. Ontology match — each tracked disease is linked to its official identifiers in the standard medical taxonomy (MeSH), so a trial can be matched even when its text uses a synonym.
  3. Curated disease patterns — a hand-maintained library of over 150 disease-name patterns covers the more granular indications across oncology, hematology, infectious disease, cardiometabolic, immunology, and neuropsychiatry.
  4. Basket guard — a trial matching four or more distinct diseases, or carrying explicit basket language (“tumor-agnostic,” “all solid tumors,” “pan-cancer”), is grouped into a single advanced-solid-tumor category rather than over-counted across every cancer it touches.
  5. Therapeutic-area roll-up — a trial with no specific match, but which the taxonomy still places under a broad area, is assigned to that area (“Oncology — other,” “Immunology — other,” …), checking cancers first so a site-specific tumor isn’t filed under its anatomical system.

A “drop-if-parent-present” rule keeps a generic name from drowning out a subtype: a trial matching both lupus and lupus nephritis is reported only as lupus nephritis. Internal abbreviations are translated to the plain disease names used across the site (for example, “CRC” becomes “Colorectal Cancer”), and the same classifier is shared by every heatmap, so the same trial always maps to the same disease wherever it appears.

How a drug is matched to its mechanism

Mechanism of action is the hardest part to get right, so it is assigned in layers — leaning on curated and public data first, with AI as a last resort:

  1. Curated rulebook (first). A rulebook we maintain — over 600 drug-to-mechanism rules — is checked first, matching on drug names, trial acronyms, sponsor trial identifiers, and intervention lists. First match wins, which stops a combination trial from being counted several times.
  2. Public molecular-target data. Where no rule applies, each intervention’s target is looked up in a public target database, with verbose or gene-symbol labels normalized into consistent short forms so one target isn’t split across several columns.
  3. Standard-of-care backbones. A small set of rules recognizes common combination scaffolds (checkpoint-inhibitor monotherapy, standard chemotherapy regimens, established standard-of-care agents) so they aren’t mistaken for the experimental arm.
  4. AI as a last resort, then cross-checked. Only for genuinely opaque sponsor code-names that none of the first three steps can resolve do we ask an AI model to propose a mechanism — applied only above a fixed confidence bar, then automatically cross-checked against the sponsor’s own pipeline page. Where AI and the sponsor agree, the program is marked sponsor-verified. Where they contradict, the label is discarded entirely — not shown, not counted.

New mechanism rules are independently double-verified before they’re trusted — a second, adversarial pass set up to disprove the first — and each is checked so it can’t mislabel an unrelated trial. Drugs whose mechanism isn’t publicly disclosed are shown openly as “Emerging — not yet disclosed” rather than guessed at: for a tool meant to support real decisions, “we don’t yet know” is a more trustworthy answer than a confident guess.

Where AI is used — and where it isn’t

The disease and mechanism matching above is driven first by deterministic rules and public ontologies, not AI. AI plays three bounded, disclosed roles: (1) an optional extra check that a trial genuinely studies the disease, on top of the ontology match; (2) inferring a trial’s treatment setting on the competitive grids when the rules don’t cover it, only above a fixed confidence bar; and (3) the last-resort mechanism step above, always cross-checked against the sponsor’s disclosures. Wherever an AI label reaches a cell, the page marks it (⚙️ or ✅) — AI is never the silent, sole source of what you see.

What the on-page markers mean

  • ✅ Sponsor-verified — AI proposed the mechanism and it matched the sponsor’s own pipeline page. High-trust.
  • ⚙️ AI-classified — AI proposed it above the confidence bar but it has not yet been cross-checked against the sponsor. Useful; verify before citing. It never means a person reviewed it.
  • ⚡ First-in-class — the mechanism hasn’t appeared in any other disease landscape we’ve built. This reflects the scope of landscapes published so far (the tooltip lists exactly which were scanned), not an absolute claim about the whole market.
  • 🌱 First-in-indication — the only program competing on that mechanism within this disease.
  • 🆕 NME candidate — the interventions match no drug in our approved-drug index, suggesting a new molecular entity. The index is incomplete — a signal, not a regulatory fact.
  • 🔗 Combination · 👶 Pediatric · 🔥 Hot (readout within six months) · ⏳ Stale (completion date passed but still marked active — often a stalled program).

Sponsor names are resolved through a curated parent/subsidiary map; unrecognized sponsors appear under their raw registry name. The registry records the sponsor at a trial’s inception, so names are as originally filed and may not reflect later acquisitions. To keep large grids legible, mechanisms with a single program are listed separately rather than crowding the main grid, and very small players are listed below it — presentation choices only; nothing is removed from the underlying counts.

How we score programs — “what’s about to move”

Each program carries a 0–100 score that deliberately ranks imminence over raw stage — the most decision-relevant signal on a competitive grid. It is the sum of:

  • Clinical phase — up to 40 points (Phase 3 = 40, Phase 2 = 25, Phase 1 = 10).
  • Readout proximity — up to 60 points (next readout <6 months = 60, 6–12 months = 45, 1–2 years = 30, distant = 5).
  • Stale penalty — the score is halved if a trial is past its expected readout but still listed as active.

Cell colour on the grid is driven by this score, so a Phase 2 program about to read out can — correctly — outrank a dormant Phase 3 one. It answers “what’s about to move,” not just “what’s furthest along.”

What each grid plots

  • Indication landscape (this page) — one disease — companies (rows) × mechanism of action (columns): who is competing, and on what mechanism.
  • Company portfolio — one company — diseases (rows) × mechanism (columns): where it is active, and what it is betting on.
  • MOA platform — one mechanism family — drugs (rows) × diseases (columns): who is working on this class, and where.
  • Competitive landscape — one disease — mechanism (rows) × clinical setting (columns), aggregated across companies; setting columns are tailored per disease (e.g. lines of therapy in oncology; biologic-naïve vs. biologic-experienced in IBD).

What we don’t claim

  • First-in-class is editorial, not absolute — “not seen in the landscapes we’ve built,” not “novel across the industry.”
  • NME candidate is a signal, not a filing — absent from our (incomplete) approved-drug index.
  • Disease matching is automated and not exhaustively validated per disease — ontology and pattern matching can occasionally include or miss a trial.
  • AI-classified mechanisms are machine-proposed — unconfirmed unless they also carry ✅.
  • Sponsor names are as-filed and may lag current ownership.
  • Grids are as fresh as their last rebuild from the weekly index — no faster continuous refresh is claimed.

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov v2 API + FDA Drugs@FDA (approved-drug index). Spot an error? [email protected].

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · Trials registered 2008 onwards · Industry sponsors only