How does cancer research turn into an FDA-approved therapy?

At a recent event hosted by the Broad Institute and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, researchers Matthew Meyerson and Heidi Greulich explained a 20-year journey in biotech—from discovering EGFR mutations in lung cancer to helping develop a targeted treatment.

Their story makes one thing clear: discovery is only the beginning.

In biotech, moving from a genetic finding to an approved therapy takes years of work. First, researchers identify which mutations actually drive cancer. Then they design drugs that target those mutations with precision. After that comes clinical trials, regulatory review, and constant refinement.

The process rarely moves in a straight line, and it almost always takes longer than expected.

In this case, the focus was EGFR mutations, which play a major role in certain lung cancers. Over time, this research contributed to the development of a drug called sevabertinib.

Sevabertinib targets both EGFR and HER2 mutations, which gives it a broader role in precision oncology. Bayer helped develop the drug, and it received FDA approval in November 2025. This marked a major milestone as the first FDA-approved drug to come directly from Broad Institute research.

But the discussion wasn’t just about one therapy. It highlighted how modern biotech actually works.

Progress in cancer treatment depends on long-term collaboration. Academic labs, biotech companies, and industry partners all contribute. The process includes setbacks, adjustments, and years of refining ideas. Instead of one breakthrough moment, success comes from steady progress in research.

To help communicate related science, SciStories also worked with the Meyerson Lab on a visualization focused on androgen receptor (AR) amplification in prostate cancer.

The concept uses a simple metaphor: a racecar.

Gene amplification acts like extra fuel, AR signaling works as the engine, and tumor growth becomes acceleration. This makes it easier to understand how changes in gene activity drive cancer progression without requiring advanced background knowledge in biotech or molecular research.

What connects all of this is communication. Whether in cancer research or drug development, clarity determines how well ideas translate into impact.

And often, the difference between a complex idea and an understandable one comes down to how the science is explained.