InspiroGene Report Finds Cell and Gene Therapies Advancing, but Systemic Barriers Remain
InspiroGene™, McKesson’s dedicated business for cell and gene therapy (CGT) commercialization, has released its second annual “2025 Cell and Gene Therapy Report: Advancing the Future of Medicine,” revealing a field that continues to expand scientifically but faces persistent obstacles to broader adoption and access.
The report, which draws on new research with physicians and payers as well as an updated analysis of the US CGT pipeline and treatment landscape, underscores a paradox: while innovation is accelerating, infrastructure and reimbursement frameworks are lagging behind. The findings point to both the promise and the operational realities that payers and providers must navigate as CGTs move toward mainstream care.
According to the nationwide double-blinded survey of more than 125 oncologists, provider familiarity with CGTs continues to rise. Sixty percent of oncologists report being very familiar with CGTs—up from 55% in 2024—and the average number of patients treated per physician has increased from 17 to 25 annually. Yet, perceptions of uncertainty remain strong. Two-thirds of oncologists still characterize CGTs as “largely unproven,” while 66% say patients view them as “too experimental or risky.” These findings highlight a gap between growing clinical experience and patient confidence, compounded by ongoing operational hurdles around site readiness and reimbursement, particularly in community oncology settings.
The payer landscape reflects cautious optimism. Eighty percent of interviewed payers agree that CGTs are safe and effective, yet reimbursement hesitancy persists due to limited long-term data and high upfront costs. Sixty percent note that innovative payment models—such as outcomes-based or milestone-based arrangements—could mitigate financial risk. However, payers emphasize that such models must rely on easily measurable, clinically relevant endpoints to function effectively. For coverage stakeholders, these findings reinforce the need for clear evidence frameworks and practical reimbursement models that balance innovation with financial sustainability.
Despite growing provider experience, access remains uneven. The number of qualified CGT treatment centers in the US has remained essentially flat from 2024 to 2025, signaling that expansion into community-based care is occurring more slowly than anticipated. This trend has implications for both equity and scalability, as most patients continue to rely on large academic centers for treatment—an arrangement that limits geographic access and adds logistical burdens to patient care.
The report identifies robust growth in the therapeutic pipeline, with 178 oncology-focused drug candidates entering late-stage development in the past year. Beyond oncology, encouraging early data in lupus, diabetes, and heart failure suggest CGTs are broadening their reach into chronic and autoimmune diseases. This diversification signals sustained scientific momentum and growing relevance across multiple therapeutic areas.
For payers and managed care leaders, the 2025 report’s findings highlight key areas of focus: building data-driven coverage frameworks, accelerating community readiness, and aligning payment innovation with measurable outcomes. While the science continues to advance, translating CGTs into scalable, equitable care will require continued coordination across the clinical, commercial, and policy ecosystems.
The full “2025 Cell and Gene Therapy Report” is available at www.inspirogene.com/cgt-report.
Reference
- Cell and gene therapies on the rise: new report reveals growing adoption and persistent challenges. Business Wire. October 6, 2025. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251006052332/en/Cell-and-Gene-Therapies-on-the-Rise-New-Report-Reveals-Growing-Adoption-and-Persistent-Challenges
- 2025 cell and gene therapy report. InspiroGene. October 6, 2025. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://inspirogene.com/cgt-report/
