Each year, the global oncology community flocks to Chicago to convene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting for a weekend of buzzy data drops, practice-changing posters and insightful sessions.  

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech and Fierce Pharma’s Darren Incorvaia, Zoey Becker and Angus Liu break down the biggest takeaways from their weekend of reporting live from the Windy City. From “nutty” in vivo CAR-T data to a historic first for a Chinese biotech asset, ASCO 2026 reflected new and continuing trends within the evolving state of cancer care today.  

To learn more about the topics in this episode:  


ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up 


ASCO: Lilly exec points to ‘nutty’ 100% response rate for in vivo CAR-T as justifying Kelonia buyout 


ASCO preview: With expectations jacked up, Akeso's ivonescimab to face scrutiny in high-stakes plenary 

This week's episode is sponsored by IQVIA Biotech.

Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit IQVIABiotech.com

 

Each year, the global oncology community flocks to Chicago to convene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology&rsquo;s annual meeting for a weekend of buzzy data drops, practice-changing posters and insightful sessions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech and Fierce Pharma&rsquo;s Darren Incorvaia, Zoey Becker and Angus Liu break down the biggest takeaways from their weekend of reporting live from the Windy City. From &ldquo;nutty&rdquo; in vivo CAR-T data to a historic first for a Chinese biotech asset, ASCO 2026 reflected new and continuing trends within the evolving state of cancer care today.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/asco-revolution-medicines-confident-ras-leadership-rivals-square">ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/asco-kelonia-keeps-vivo-car-t-momentum-rolling-nutty-100-response-rate">ASCO: Lilly exec points to &lsquo;nutty&rsquo; 100% response rate for in vivo CAR-T as justifying Kelonia buyout</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/asco-preview-expectations-jacked-akeso-ivonescimab-face-scrutiny-high-stakes-plenary">ASCO preview: With expectations jacked up, Akeso's ivonescimab to face scrutiny in high-stakes plenary</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
This week's episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIA Biotech.</a>
Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1v3CCQWBXRslR28JsxfOUGfiN5?domain=iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIABiotech.com</a>
&nbsp;

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning. 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.&nbsp;

The Top Line

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We’ll analyze the week’s biggest business news—from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.

 

Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We&rsquo;ll analyze the week&rsquo;s biggest business news&mdash;from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
&nbsp;

Behind the headlines of ASCO 2026  

Big Pharma dealmaking has picked up, but the biotech path to a signed agreement is still anything but simple.

In this episode, recorded at Fierce Biotech Week, Senior Editor James Waldron leads a discussion on the evolving BD&L landscape across pharma and biotech.

He is joined by Kaleem Chowdhury, Ph.D., CEO of Haiku Biosciences; Liz Leveille, who leads the Boston Innovation Hub and discovery transactions at Merck; and Abbas Kazemi, CEO of Nimbus Therapeutics.

The panel digs into the realities behind the headlines, from investor scrutiny and platform company pressure to China’s growing role in licensing and the long relationship-building that often happens before a deal gets done.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
March M&A surge triggers high expectations for 2026
'Biopharma ecosystem is back to full health,' fueled by M&A: PwC
Facing mounting China licensing costs, biopharma buyers turn to AI and local know-how to keep up
After 230% deal size explosion, China is no longer the 'bargain basement' for biopharma licensing: analyst
Was Big Pharma’s ‘unusually aggressive’ M&A spree to blame for March IPO drought?

This week's episode is sponsored by IQVIA Biotech.

 
Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit IQVIABiotech.com

Big Pharma dealmaking has picked up, but the biotech path to a signed agreement is still anything but simple.
In this episode, recorded at Fierce Biotech Week, Senior Editor James Waldron leads a discussion on the evolving BD&amp;L landscape across pharma and biotech.
He is joined by Kaleem Chowdhury, Ph.D., CEO of Haiku Biosciences; Liz Leveille, who leads the Boston Innovation Hub and discovery transactions at Merck; and Abbas Kazemi, CEO of Nimbus Therapeutics.
The panel digs into the realities behind the headlines, from investor scrutiny and platform company pressure to China&rsquo;s growing role in licensing and the long relationship-building that often happens before a deal gets done.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/pharma/march-ma-surge-triggers-high-expectations-2026">March M&amp;A surge triggers high expectations for 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/pharma/ma-volume-and-value-indicate-biopharma-ecosystem-back-full-health-pwc">'Biopharma ecosystem is back to full health,' fueled by M&amp;A: PwC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/chinese-biotechs-raise-costs-buyers-turn-ai-local-know-how-keep">Facing mounting China licensing costs, biopharma buyers turn to AI and local know-how to keep up</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/analyst-china-no-longer-bargain-basement-biotech-acquisitions">After 230% deal size explosion, China is no longer the 'bargain basement' for biopharma licensing: analyst</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/did-unusually-aggressive-pharma-ma-spree-trigger-march-ipo-drought">Was Big Pharma&rsquo;s &lsquo;unusually aggressive&rsquo; M&amp;A spree to blame for March IPO drought?</a></li>
</ul>
This week's episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIA Biotech.</a>
&nbsp; Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit <a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1v3CCQWBXRslR28JsxfOUGfiN5?domain=iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIABiotech.com</a>

The deal before the deal 

In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Stephanie Butler is joined by Sheila Plant, vice president of regulatory affairs at Allucent, to examine how FDA Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT designations can support more strategic oncology development. 

Although both pathways are intended to speed development, they are not interchangeable. Plant outlines the key distinctions, noting that Breakthrough Therapy requires evidence of substantial improvement over existing treatments, while RMAT is available for regenerative medicine therapies and centers on preliminary clinical evidence indicating the potential to address unmet medical needs. 

The conversation also explores the strategic choices that determine whether sponsors are ready to pursue these designations, from building a credible data package to designing trials with clinically meaningful endpoints and keeping manufacturing readiness aligned with development timelines. 

Once a designation is granted, closer collaboration with the FDA can help sponsors navigate development with more dynamic feedback. But as Plant emphasizes, these pathways deliver the greatest value when they are part of a disciplined regulatory strategy. 

Listen now to learn how sponsors can approach expedited pathways with greater clarity and position oncology programs for meaningful acceleration. 

 

In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Stephanie Butler is joined by Sheila Plant, vice president of regulatory affairs at&nbsp;Allucent, to examine how FDA Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT designations can support more strategic oncology development.&nbsp;
Although both pathways are intended to&nbsp;speed&nbsp;development, they are not interchangeable. Plant outlines the key distinctions, noting that Breakthrough Therapy&nbsp;requires&nbsp;evidence of substantial improvement over existing treatments, while RMAT&nbsp;is available for regenerative medicine therapies and&nbsp;centers&nbsp;on preliminary&nbsp;clinical&nbsp;evidence&nbsp;indicating&nbsp;the&nbsp;potential to address unmet medical needs.&nbsp;
The conversation also explores the strategic choices that&nbsp;determine&nbsp;whether sponsors are ready to pursue these designations, from building a credible data package to designing trials with clinically meaningful endpoints and keeping manufacturing readiness aligned with development timelines.&nbsp;
Once a designation is granted, closer collaboration with the FDA can help sponsors navigate development with more dynamic feedback. But as Plant emphasizes, these pathways deliver the greatest value when they are part of a disciplined regulatory strategy.&nbsp;
Listen now to learn how sponsors can approach expedited pathways with greater clarity and position oncology programs for meaningful acceleration.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

FDA Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT: Strategic Decisions That Can Accelerate Oncology Development (Sponsored)

In this episode of “The Top Line,” recorded on site at Fierce Biotech Week in Boston, Fierce’s Ayla Ellison sits down with Christelle Huguet, Ph.D., executive vice president and head of R&D at Ipsen, to discuss how the company is building its pipeline through external innovation while maintaining internal scientific accountability.

Huguet explains Ipsen’s approach to partnering, describing the company as an “accelerator” that helps move promising science from academic labs and biotech partners toward patients. She also discusses how Ipsen evaluates which programs move forward, why transparency with partners is essential from the start and what the company is watching as it heads into a year with several key clinical and regulatory milestones.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Ipsen unveils data for Botox rival that drove long-acting anti-wrinkle jab into phase 3
Ipsen scuttles liver disease candidates from $952M Albireo acquisition

This week's episode is sponsored by IQVIA Biotech.

 
Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit IQVIABiotech.com

 

In this episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; recorded on site at Fierce Biotech Week in Boston, Fierce&rsquo;s Ayla Ellison sits down with Christelle Huguet, Ph.D., executive vice president and head of R&amp;D at Ipsen, to discuss how the company is building its pipeline through external innovation while maintaining internal scientific accountability.
Huguet explains Ipsen&rsquo;s approach to partnering, describing the company as an &ldquo;accelerator&rdquo; that helps move promising science from academic labs and biotech partners toward patients. She also discusses how Ipsen evaluates which programs move forward, why transparency with partners is essential from the start and what the company is watching as it heads into a year with several key clinical and regulatory milestones.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/ipsen-posts-data-drove-long-acting-anti-wrinkle-jab-phase-3">Ipsen unveils data for Botox rival that drove long-acting anti-wrinkle jab into phase 3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/ipsen-scuttles-liver-disease-candidates-952m-albireo-acquisition">Ipsen scuttles liver disease candidates from $952M Albireo acquisition</a></li>
</ul>
This week's episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIA Biotech.</a>
&nbsp; Built for biotech innovators, IQVIA Biotech is a full-service CRO, designed for agility, fast decisions, and the urgency needed for emerging biopharma. With dedicated teams and deep therapeutic expertise, we help move programs forward with focus and confidence. Visit <a href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1v3CCQWBXRslR28JsxfOUGfiN5?domain=iqviabiotech.com/">IQVIABiotech.com</a>
&nbsp;

Behind the headlines of ASCO 2026

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