Uveal Melanoma Market: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Analysis 2024

Uveal melanoma is a rare type of eye cancer in the uvea of the eye. It is traditionally classed as originating in the iris, choroid, and ciliary body, but can also be divided into class I (low metastatic risk) and class II (high metastatic risk). Symptoms include blurred vision, loss of vision, or photopsia, but there may be no symptoms. Tumors arise from the pigment cells (melanocytes) that reside within the uvea and give color to the eye. These melanocytes are distinct from the retinal pigment epithelium cells underlying the retina that do not form melanomas. When eye melanoma is spread to distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is about 15%. It is the most common type of primary eye cancer.

Risk factors for uveal melanoma include Age; It tends to occur more frequently in adults, usually between the ages of 50 and 70, Light eye colour; People with blue or green eyes may have a higher risk compared to those with brown eyes, Fair skin; Similar to skin melanoma, having fair skin is associated with an increased risk and UV radiation exposure; Prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial sources of UV radiation may be a contributing factor. Males and females are affected equally. For instance, according to World Health Organization, there are around 2 million to 8 million cases per year worldwide. More than 50% spread, mostly to the liver. Moreover, an increase in cases of genetic disorders, an increase in the geriatric population, an increase in cases of overexposure to sunlight, and an increase in cases of intraocular melanoma are the key factors for driving the growth of the uveal melanoma market. The introduction of newer drug products by many market players may aim to influence significant research and development in uveal melanoma. For instance, Immunocore launched Kimmtrak to treat uveal melanoma. Moreover, to overcome challenges in therapy, various market players are developing innovative compounds. For instance, Partner Therap’s Leukine (sargramostim) for the indication of malignant melanoma is under the various stages of clinical studies.

Key Market Developments:

• In January 2022, Immunocore received FDA approval for Kimmtrak (Tebentafusp-Tebn) indicated for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma.
• In 2018, Aura Bioscience Company engaged to launch targeted therapy to destroy cancer cells using viral capsid conjugates. This novel treatment can be used in the treatment of choroidal melanoma and oculary tumor.

Approved Drug Molecules and Brand Names for Uveal Melanoma:

•  Kimmtrak (Tebentafusp-Tebn)

Drugs under the Pipeline for Uveal Melanoma:

•  Leukine (Sargramostim)
• Yervoy (Ipilimumab)
• Multi-Epitope Melanoma Peptide
• Koselugo (Selumetinib)
• Promune (Agatolimod
• Avastin (Bevacizumab)
• Imjudo (Tremelimumab)
• Inlyta (Axitinib)
• Intron A (Interferon Alpha-2b)
• Mekinist (Trametinib)
• Muphoran (Fotemustine)
• Proleukin (Aldesleukin)
• Recentin (Cediranib) and
• others

Clinical Activity and Developments of Uveal Melanoma:

Till July 2023, more than 20 companies have approximately 31 molecules targeting a Uveal Melanoma. For these molecules, more than 2 clinical trials are being conducted; most are in phase-1 and phase-2 clinical trials by players across the globe. For instance,

• In June 2018, Incyte completed a phase 2 clinical study of Epacadostat (INCB024360) and Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients with Stage III-IV Melanoma sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the University of Virginia.