Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
7 drugsAbout Topoisomerase II
Topoisomerase II is an enzyme essential for DNA replication, transcription, and chromosome segregation. It relieves torsional stress by cutting and re-ligating DNA strands during these processes. Inhibiting Topoisomerase II disrupts DNA metabolism, leading to cell death, particularly in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Topoisomerase II is a viable drug target with seven approved drugs, though there is currently no genetic evidence directly linking it to specific diseases. Inhibitors of this enzyme are clinically relevant, especially in oncology, making it an important target for addressing critical medical needs.
The seven FDA-approved drugs targeting Topoisomerase II are all small molecules, including DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE (LIPOSOMAL), DOXIL (LIPOSOMAL), and ELLENCE. These drugs are developed by six companies, including Pfizer, Baxter, and EPIC PHARMA LLC, primarily for oncology indications.
Strategic Insights
ℹ️ How we calculate- Validated target with strong trial activity and 80% attractiveness score.
- phase1 represents biological uncertainty with 57% completion.
Top Drugs
Six companies have approved drugs targeting Topoisomerase II, including EPIC PHARMA LLC and Pfizer.
The competitive landscape is moderately concentrated, suggesting potential entry barriers for new players.
| Drug | Company | Approved | Indications |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPIRUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE | Cipla | 2006 | 1 |
| IDAMYCIN PFS | Pfizer | 1997 | 1 |
| VYXEOS | JAZZ PHARMS THERAP | 2017 | 1 |
| ELLENCE | Pfizer | 1999 | 1 |
Drug Modality Landscape
Modalities
Routes of Administration
Topoisomerase II is druggable by small molecules, though no oral formulations are currently approved.
The modality landscape suggests an opportunity to explore alternative modalities like antibodies or PROTACs.
Clinical Trials 1,745 trials
Completion by Phase
| Phase | Total | Completed | Failed | Active | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 613 | 283 | 151 | 172 | 65% |
| Phase 2 | 811 | 275 | 153 | 377 | 64% |
| Phase 3 | 299 | 108 | 34 | 153 | 76% |
| Phase 4 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 85% |
Top Sponsors
By Modality
Top Conditions
Top Drugs
Phase 3 Readout Calendar Pro
8 Phase 3 trials testing approved Topoisomerase II drugs across all sponsors.
Coverage: trials whose intervention is an approved drug targeting Topoisomerase II. Pre-approval candidates with development codes (e.g. AZD0901, MK-7240) are not yet linked. Anchored on CT.gov primary completion date.
Drug Approval Timeline (1995 - 2026)
Breast cancer with axillary lymph node involvement (post-...
The first drug targeting Topoisomerase II was approved in 1995, with the most recent approval in 2026.
The approval timeline indicates sustained interest in this target, but potential saturation warrants careful market analysis.
Pro Intelligence Preview
Deep insights for drug target analysis
Competitive Landscape
- • 5 companies competing
- • Market share by company
Full Drug Portfolio
- • All 7 approved drugs
- • Approval dates & indications
Genetic Validation
- • Full genetic evidence table
- • Effect sizes & directions
Approval Timeline
- • Full 7-drug timeline
- • First-of-modality markers
Clinical Trials Analysis
- • Competition: High (15 sponsors)
- • Success rates by condition
Full summary • All drugs • Genetic evidence • Trials • Timeline
How We Calculate These Metrics
Target Attractiveness Score
A 0-100 score based on trial activity, sponsor diversity, and completion rates. Calculated from 1122 clinical trials targeting Topoisomerase II.
Completion rate: Percentage of trials that reached their planned endpoint. Trials terminated early, withdrawn, or suspended are not counted—these often indicate safety issues, lack of efficacy, or strategic pivots.
- Highly Attractive (80+): High trial activity, many sponsors, strong completion rates
- Attractive (60-79): Good trial activity and validation
- Moderate (40-59): Moderate interest from sponsors
- Low (under 40): Limited trial activity or validation concerns
Strategic Insights
Auto-generated insights based on trial analytics including competition intensity, white space opportunities, modality shifts, and failure patterns. We analyze trial sponsors, phases, indications, and outcomes.
Risk Signals
- High Competition: Many sponsors competing for this target (may reduce market opportunity)
- High Failure Risk: Low trial completion rates suggest development challenges
- Low Validation: Limited trial activity or poor outcomes indicate uncertain viability
- White Space Available: Underexplored indications present opportunities