Chan Ye Xin Xi Wang·2025-12-23 01:22Core Viewpoint - Synthetic lethality drugs are emerging as a promising treatment strategy in oncology, allowing for the selective killing of cancer cells while sparing normal cells, with PARP inhibitors being a notable success in this field [1][6][7]. Industry Definition and Principles - Synthetic lethality refers to a biological phenomenon where mutations in two non-lethal genes do not affect cell survival individually, but simultaneous mutations lead to cell death. This principle is leveraged in cancer treatment to target specific pathways that cancer cells depend on [2][6]. - The concept of synthetic lethality has gained traction, particularly with the success of PARP inhibitors, which target DNA damage repair mechanisms [6][7]. Current Development Status - The global synthetic lethality drug market is projected to reach $4.3 billion in 2024, with China's market expected to grow to 3.6 billion yuan. By 2025, these figures are anticipated to rise to $4.8 billion globally and 4.6 billion yuan in China [1][7]. - The sales of PARP inhibitors reached $3.072 billion globally in 2024, showing a growth of approximately 9.3% after ten years on the market. Sales are expected to reach $3.4 billion by 2025 [1][7]. Industry Chain - The synthetic lethality drug industry chain includes upstream components such as biological raw materials, animal models, and chemical reagents; midstream focuses on drug research and production; and downstream applications are primarily in clinical settings, including hospitals and research institutions [8]. Competitive Landscape - Major companies in the synthetic lethality space include Hengrui Medicine and BeiGene, with several others like Clovis Oncology and AstraZeneca also involved. The market features a variety of PARP inhibitors, with ongoing research into additional synthetic lethality targets [2][9][10]. - The success of PARP inhibitors has led to increased interest in synthetic lethality as a viable strategy for cancer treatment, with multiple companies exploring this avenue [9][10]. Future Development - The role of synthetic lethality in modern cancer precision therapy is becoming increasingly significant, with ongoing research paving the way for new treatment avenues. Despite progress, challenges remain in the application of synthetic lethality in clinical settings [13][14].