PLK1 Inhibitors Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: Competitive Landscape, Pipeline, and Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: Analysis 2024

Serine/threonine-protein kinase PLK1, also known as polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1) or serine/threonine-protein kinase 13 (STPK13), is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PLK1 (polo-like kinase 1) gene. PLK1 (Polo-like kinase 1) inhibitors are a class of drugs designed to target and inhibit the activity of the protein kinase PLK1. PLK1 is a key regulator of cell division and is involved in various stages of the cell cycle, including mitosis (cell division) and cytokinesis (cell cleavage). It plays a crucial role in ensuring proper cell division and genomic stability. The mechanism of action of PLK1 inhibitors involves disrupting the normal functioning of PLK1, leading to cell cycle arrest and ultimately inducing cell death (apoptosis). PLK1 Inhibitors are used in the potential treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, leukemia, adrenal diseases, endocrine gland neoplasms, genital diseases, ovarian cancers, carcinoma, digestive system disorders, immunoproliferative disorders, neutropenia, pancreatic diseases, breast diseases, colorectal neoplasms, and liver cancers to name a few. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of ovarian cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, and increasing R&D investments in cancer research are the key drivers for the PLK1 Inhibitors market. For instance, according to World Cancer Research Fund 2020, an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases around the world and 4,74,519 new cases of leukemia in 2020. The global cancer burden is expected to be 28.4 million cases in 2040, which is a 47% rise from 2020. Moreover, the development of novel molecules by many market players is coming up to overcome challenges in therapy. For instance, Oncoheroes Biosciences Volasertib (NBL-001) for the treatment of Ovarian cancer is in the various stages of clinical studies.

Key Market Developments:

• In July 2023, Onconova Therapeutics conducted phase 2 clinical studies for its Estybon (Rigosertib) for the indication of Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Drugs under the Pipeline for PLK1 Inhibitors:

• Estybon (Rigosertib)
• Volasertib (NBL-001)
• BI2536
• Onvansertib (PCM-075)
• SF1126
• TKM-PLK1
• Cafusertib
• Plogosertib (CYC140)
• BAL0891
• GSK461364
• MK-1496
• TAK-960

Clinical Activity and Developments of PLK1 Inhibitors:

Till July 2023, more than 10 companies have approximately 12 molecules targeting the many cancers. For these molecules, more than 15 clinical trials are being conducted and the majority are in phase-1, and phase-2 clinical trials by players across the globe. For instance,

• In April 2021, Boehringer Ingelheim completed phase 1/2a, a trial to investigate the maximum tolerated dose, safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of intravenous BI 6727 (Volasertib) as monotherapy or in combination with subcutaneous Cytarabine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.