The State of Oncology in 2026 With ZS

The next decade of oncology growth will look different from the last. In our 2026 outlook, we explore why leaders will need to look beyond crowded late-stage markets and focus on earlier-stage disease, underserved tumors, care delivery friction and the role of AI in improving access and outcomes.

This is not a “more of the same” oncology story. The analysis points to a fundamental shift in the value pool, with implications for portfolio strategy, launch planning and how companies engage across the care continuum. Read more here.

Why this matters: 

• The oncology growth engine is moving upstream. Future value will come from earlier-stage disease and underserved tumors, not crowded late-stage markets.
• Many portfolios are pointed in the wrong direction. Companies optimized for late-stage U.S. competition risk chasing a shrinking value pool.
• AI is no longer optional; it’s foundational. Data-driven care models are becoming core to diagnosis, treatment selection and patient flow.
• Execution, not innovation alone, will differentiate winners. Integrating health systems, regions and affiliates earlier is critical to converting science into impact.  

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, September 15th, 2026, 1-2 PM EST
Format: Virtual Webinar
Live Streaming: YouTube | X

Panelists:

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	Richa Poddar Richa Poddar is Senior Vice President and Product Development & Commercialization Lead for cemsidomide at C4 Therapeutics. With nearly two decades of experience, she specializes in shaping and executing commercial strategy across the drug development lifecycle, with deep expertise in oncology, rare diseases, and cell therapy. She has held executive roles across the biotechnology sector, serving as Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Medical Affairs at Parabilis Medicines, Chief Business and Strategy Officer at Matterhorn BioSciences, and Chief Commercial Officer at Agios Pharmaceuticals, where she led the launches of PYRUKYND®, TIBSOVO®, and IDHIFA®. Her earlier career includes leadership and commercial analytics roles at Amgen, Clovis Oncology, and Genentech/F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Richa holds a Master’s in Biotechnology from Keck Graduate Institute and a B.E. in Computer Engineering from Pune University.
	Tom Narepally Tom Narepally is the CEO and Co-Founder of Archetype Therapeutics, where he leads the development of AI-driven generative chemogenomics approaches. He brings decades of experience across pharmaceuticals, healthcare analytics, technology, and intellectual property. Previously, Tom was part of the founding team and served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at GNS Healthcare, where he expanded the company’s work across pharma, payers, and providers while securing key intellectual property. He also helped launch Cibo Technologies as Chief Operating Officer and practiced corporate and IP law. Tom began his career as a pharmaceutical analyst at Arthur D. Little and holds degrees from University of Connecticut and Cornell University.

Co-Hosts:

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	Pavan Anne Pavan Anne is a Principal in the Boston office of ZS and leads the firm’s Global Oncology and Precision Medicine Practice. With over 15 years at ZS, he has supported oncology companies across medical, marketing, and sales functions, with experience spanning most tumor types and deep expertise in commercialization strategy and organizational design. He has led market landscape assessments, disease area and brand strategies, and partnered with oncology diagnostics companies on portfolio strategy, sales planning, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis. Pavan holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Madras. Prior to ZS, he worked as a Design Engineer at Caterpillar Inc.
	Matt Furlow, Ph.D. Matt Furlow is an Associate Partner in the Philadelphia office at ZS Associates and leads the Radiopharmaceutical Center of Excellence within the CGAT Vertical. With 11 years of experience at ZS, he specializes in oncology strategy, including portfolio and pipeline strategy, commercialization, market research, forecasting, and analytics. His expertise spans solid tumors, hematological malignancies, targeted radiopharmaceuticals, cell therapies, antibody drug conjugates, and multi-specific antibodies. Matt has advised clients on the development and commercialization of innovative oncology therapeutics and regularly contributes thought leadership on oncology trends. He holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from University of Pennsylvania and a BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University.

ZS is a management consulting and technology firm that partners with companies to improve life and how we live it. We transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Founded in 1983, ZS has more than 15,000 employees in 40-plus offices worldwide.

Everything we do is designed to strengthen your business strategy and product portfolio, turning insight into action and unlocking new opportunities for growth.