New Lung Cancer Drug Beats Standard Immunotherapy

An experimental drug developed by Akeso, ivonescimab, has shown promising results in treating advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer. In a head-to-head study involving 532 patients in China, those receiving ivonescimab alongside chemotherapy lived an average of 27.9 months. This is a 15% increase compared to the 23.7 months average survival for patients treated with BeOne Medicines' Tevimbra and chemotherapy.

Ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody, works by blocking two key proteins: PD-1, which helps cancer evade the immune system, and VEGF, which promotes tumor growth. This dual-targeting approach has demonstrated a notable survival benefit, cutting the risk of death by more than one-third. While these results are encouraging, experts note that the trial's findings, conducted solely in China, may not directly translate to broader populations due to potential ethnic differences impacting drug efficacy.

Further global trials are underway, including a separate study comparing ivonescimab to Merck's Keytruda, with interim data anticipated this year. Summit Therapeutics holds rights for ivonescimab in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, while Akeso retains rights for China and the rest of the world. The drug's potential as a new standard of care is being closely watched.