Instead of competing directly with an established drug, companies can target a non-overlapping, genetically defined patient population. Idea Biosciences' drug for uveal melanoma is for HLA A2-negative patients, while the approved drug KimTrac is for HLA A2-positive patients. This strategy allows for market entry without a head-to-head battle.
In rare diseases, a previously approved drug with modest results can lower the efficacy benchmark for newcomers. Palvella Therapeutics' drug for a rare skin disease may only need ~30% efficacy for approval, as a competitor's drug (Hiftor) was approved with just a 23% patient responder rate, creating a low bar for a clinical win.
In a crowded market like atopic dermatitis, a safe oral drug can carve out a significant niche. Corvus's soquolitinib is positioned to compete against the injectable standard of care (Dupixent) and existing oral JAK inhibitors, which carry black box warnings. This 'safe oral' profile meets a major unmet need for both doctors and patients.
A competitor's positive clinical trial data can validate a shared mechanism of action, increasing investor confidence across the board. EyePoint's stock is expected to rise on positive data from competitor Ocular Therapeutics because it would de-risk the TKI-based approach for wet AMD, benefiting both companies despite different trial designs.