The role of biomarkers: how new modalities are making precision medicine a reality

By Christelle Huguet, EVP & Head of R&D, Ipsen

For too long, modern medicine has treated diseases as if they were uniform, defined by a label rather than by their underlying biology. Today, we have an unprecedented ability to interrogate the molecular drivers that shape each person’s cancer, and in doing so, we’re transforming how we diagnose, develop and deliver the medicines that matter most.

At the heart of this transformation lie biomarkers. What mutations are driving disease progression? How do tumor cells distinguish themselves from healthy cells? And importantly, how can these biological signatures guide us to the people with the highest unmet need? The ability to answer these questions allows us to focus our efforts on the most compelling science—science with purpose.

However, biomarkers are only one part of the story. As we unlock deeper insights into disease mechanisms, we must also equip ourselves with the right tools to act on them. That is why Ipsen is building a multimodality R&D engine, grounded in precision immune‑modulation and our expertise in the MAPK pathway. Each modality is designed with purpose: to act on well‑defined biology as a potential best‑ or first‑in‑class medicine.

What makes this progress truly powerful is its real‑world impact on patients. It opens doors to more targeted, and potentially more effective, options. But it’s equally important to recognize where the pathophysiology drivers are less clear and more work is required. Many cancers lack clear biomarkers, and too many patients continue to face conditions that remain under researched or poorly understood. This is exactly why we must continue to push the boundaries of innovation—so that scientific progress translates into real change.

At Ipsen, our ambition is clear: to develop a pipeline defined not by the limits of traditional medicine development, but by the possibilities of precision. Precision medicine is not a new concept—it is here, reshaping what we can deliver for patients today and redefining what will be possible for generations to come. And as science advances, we will continue to act with agility, focus and purpose to turn breakthrough insights into real solutions for the people who need them most.