Despite currently operating with a single-drug portfolio, Exelixis has outlined a strategic expansion plan aiming to become one of the top five companies by sales in the U.S. solid tumor oncology sector.
According to preliminary data released at the JPM 2026 conference, the company’s cornerstone product, cabozantinib, generated $2.1 billion in U.S. revenue during 2025. This performance secured the California-based firm the 10th position in the national solid tumor sales rankings. To date, the molecule has received regulatory approval for seven indications, including recent nods for neuroendocrine tumors.
The next phase of the company’s growth strategy centers on zanzalintinib, a next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). A formal application has been submitted to the FDA for its use in combination with immunotherapy for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Phase 3 trial results (Stellar-303) demonstrated a 20% reduction in the risk of death compared to existing therapies, extending median overall survival by 1.5 months.
To solidify its market standing, Exelixis is pursuing several key initiatives:
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Early-stage intervention: Partnering with diagnostic firms to utilize ctDNA assays for identifying molecular residual disease (MRD), allowing the drug to be tested in earlier treatment sequences for colorectal cancer.
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Strategic collaborations: Engaging in clinical partnerships with major pharmaceutical players like Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb to evaluate zanzalintinib in renal cell carcinoma and other malignancies.
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Operational consolidation: Reorganizing corporate structure by centralizing its workforce at the California headquarters to maximize collaborative efficiency and R&D output.
While facing the upcoming patent expiration for cabozantinib in 2031, the company is advancing an early-stage pipeline that includes antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel molecular degraders to sustain long-term growth.