By: Kelly Page

Few moments in drug development are more significant than demonstrating that a new therapeutic modality can translate into clinical and regulatory success. Once that threshold is crossed, the challenge is no longer proving a concept can work, it is determining how broadly it can be applied to help patients in need of new treatment options.

Earlier in my career, I was part of the effort to bring the first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy to lymphoma patients around the world. As the first ADC marketed globally, we helped pave the way for future ADCs beyond lymphoma. Today, a growing number of ADCs have received FDA approval, with more in development, demonstrating how a novel therapeutic approach can evolve into a platform for innovation and patient benefit.

In my role at Arvinas, I see similar momentum in targeted protein degradation. The pioneering efforts on PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTAC) protein degraders, including the first FDA approval this year, have validated a new approach to treating cancer and created opportunities to expand into other disease areas. Having witnessed both advancements, it’s clear that a clinical milestone extends beyond the achievement itself. Each milestone strengthens confidence in the modality, informs development strategies, and generates insights that can help accelerate turning ideas into medicines.

Early-stage programs demand rigorous scientific evaluation, mid-stage development requires thoughtful investment decisions, and late-stage programs depend on operational excellence. However, at every stage, patient needs remain paramount and must be clearly aligned with clinical goals and commercial considerations, including differentiation from available treatments and patient access.

One advantage biotechnology companies have is the ability to plan across the development continuum rather than treating development as a series of handoffs. Aligning scientific, clinical, and commercial teams helps ensure evolving evidence translates into decisions that support both successful development and meaningful patient impact.

At Arvinas, we use this same approach to guide the advancement of our diverse pipeline of PROTACs and exploration of opportunities such as degrader-antibody conjugates (DACs). For me, this brings my work full circle to what inspired me during the early days of ADCs: the possibility of turning a new scientific approach into medicines for patients who need better options. Combining lessons from ADC development with Arvinas’ PROTAC expertise offers a similar opportunity, and having seen what ADCs made possible for patients, I’m motivated to help write the next chapter for PROTACs.

A validated modality changes the equation and challenges us to do more. Our responsibility is to carry what we learn into the next program and turn scientific progress into better outcomes for patients.

Biography

Kelly Page is Senior Vice President, Head of Asset Strategy & Program Leadership, New Product Planning & Corporate Communications at Arvinas. She has over 25 years of global pharmaceutical industry experience from the research setting through global commercialization, with nearly 20 years of experience in oncology therapeutics. Ms. Page joined Arvinas after serving as Vice President, Head of Global Commercial, Hematology at AstraZeneca. Previously, Ms. Page held global R&D and Commercial roles at Takeda Oncology, including Oncology Country Head for Takeda Germany, and at Pfizer. Ms. Page received her B.S. in Biology and her B.A. in Chemistry from Providence College and obtained her Master in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.