NEMIC Expert Advisor: Michael Harman on Drug Repurposing in Oncology

Why Drug Repurposing Could Be the Unsung Hero in the Fight Against Cancer

Michael Harman, PhD - NEMIC Expert Advisor, Molecular + Cellular Biotech Dx

Founder, Harman Consulting

In the race to bring new cancer treatments to patients faster and more affordably, the pharmaceutical industry is beginning to look backward to move forward. Drug repurposing—also known as drug repositioning—is an increasingly promising strategy that involves finding new therapeutic uses for medications that have already been approved for other conditions.

This approach is gaining serious momentum, and for good reason: it cuts costs, saves time, and offers renewed hope for tackling even the toughest cancer diagnoses. If that sounds like a no-brainer, it kind of is. But like most great ideas in medicine, the path forward is rarely simple.

Let’s unpack why drug repurposing might just be one of the most powerful tools we have—and what’s being done to unlock its full potential in oncology.

The Process: Faster Doesn’t Mean Rushed

The magic of drug repurposing starts with identification. Researchers use everything from machine learning algorithms to good old-fashioned clinical observations to find candidates—drugs that might do more than their original indication intended.

Once promising drugs are found, they go through preclinical models to test their efficacy, followed by clinical trials for the new indication. Since the drug’s safety profile is already known, the process is significantly streamlined—yet still rigorous. Regulatory approval is still required, but here too, repurposed drugs often move faster through the system than brand-new compounds

“Drug repurposing in oncology isn’t just a clever workaround—it’s a vital strategy for speeding up innovation”

Why It Matters—Especially in Cancer Care

Cancer doesn’t wait. The traditional drug development timeline—often over a decade and billions of dollars—just isn’t fast enough for patients facing life-threatening disease. That’s why repurposed drugs, with their already-vetted safety data, are such a valuable asset.

The advantages are clear:

• Lower costs: Drug development is expensive. Repurposing slashes those costs by bypassing early-stage testing

• Reduced risk: We already know how these drugs behave in the human body

• Faster access: Patients get treatments sooner—a critical advantage in oncology

• Answers for the underserved: Repurposing can provide options for rare or resistant cancers that lack effective treatments

Consider the success stories. Sildenafil, initially created for hypertension, now helps treat erectile dysfunction. Thalidomide, once a sedative with a tragic history, is now used for multiple myeloma. These aren't flukes—they’re proof of concept.

A Closer Look: Repurposing in Oncology

Cancer researchers have discovered that drugs originally developed for totally unrelated conditions sometimes exhibit potent anti-cancer properties. For example:

• Metformin (for diabetes) has shown promising effects in breast and colorectal cancers

• Aspirin, our go-to anti-inflammatory, has been studied for its role in reducing colorectal cancer risk

• Thalidomide, despite its dark past, is now an approved treatment for certain blood cancers

These drugs offer something invaluable: a head start. They’re often less expensive and come with known safety profiles—meaning development can focus more on proving efficacy than starting from scratch.

Tech That’s Changing the Game

Emerging technologies are supercharging the potential of drug repurposing in oncology. A few highlights:

• AI & Machine Learning: Tools that can sift through enormous datasets and spot connections humans might miss

• Omics (Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics): Allow for precision targeting of cancer cells by matching drugs to specific molecular profiles

• High-Throughput Screening (HTS): Rapidly tests existing drug libraries against cancer cell lines

• Pharmacogenomics: Helps match the right drug to the right patient based on their genetic makeup

Companies like MeCo Diagnostics are even leveraging custom RNA-Seq algorithms to predict how a breast cancer patient will respond to low-toxicity antifibrotic therapies. This level of personalization isn’t the future—it’s happening now

Challenges Still on the Table

Despite all the advantages, drug repurposing isn’t without obstacles:

• Regulatory red tape: Approval for a new indication can still be complex, even if the drug is already approved

• Patent issues: With many repurposed drugs being off-patent, the financial incentive for companies to invest can be low

• Funding gaps: Academic and nonprofit sectors often pick up the slack, but they can’t do it alone
  

The Market Is Catching On

The global oncology drug market is booming—and repurposing is riding the wave. Big pharma, nimble biotech startups, and research institutions alike are investing in repositioning efforts. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA are on board too, offering accelerated pathways for repurposed drugs, especially in high-need areas.

There are hundreds of ongoing clinical trials exploring repurposed drugs for cancer treatment. Investors are taking note, and funding is following. The market is waking up to the opportunity—and the need.

A Personal Note: The Role of Precision Diagnostics

As a final thought, I want to acknowledge the role of precision diagnostics in making drug repurposing not only possible but powerful. Technologies that allow us to predict how a patient will respond to a given therapy—before it’s even administered—are transforming the landscape of personalized medicine.

To the industry partners developing these tests: thank you. You're ensuring that patients don’t just get a treatment—they get the right one.

Final Takeaway

Drug repurposing in oncology isn’t just a clever workaround—it’s a vital strategy for speeding up innovation, slashing development costs, and delivering lifesaving therapies to patients who need them most.

It’s proof that sometimes, the next big breakthrough isn’t new—it’s already sitting on the shelf, waiting to be rediscovered.

Michael Harman - Founder, Harman Consulting (michael@harmanphdconsulting.com)