Summit Therapeutics, in collaboration with its China-based partner Akeso, has reported promising results from a recent trial of its lung cancer drug, ivonescimab. The therapy showed a 15% improvement in survival rates for patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer compared to BeOne Medicines’ Tevimbra.

Trial Results and Implications

The head-to-head study, conducted in China, involved 532 patients with newly diagnosed advanced stage 3 or stage 4 squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Patients receiving ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy lived an average of 27.9 months, while those on Tevimbra lived 23.7 months. These results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.

Ivonescimab is part of a newer class of medicines known as bispecific antibodies, targeting both the PD-1 protein, which helps cancer evade the immune system, and the VEGF protein, which can promote tumor growth. Summit Therapeutics holds the rights to the drug in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan, with Akeso retaining rights for China and other regions.

Future Prospects

Despite the encouraging results, Jefferies analyst Faisal Khurshid noted that the study’s China-only scope means further trials are needed to confirm benefits in other regions, including the United States and Europe. A separate global trial comparing ivonescimab with Merck’s Keytruda is ongoing, with interim data expected later this year.

Summit Therapeutics’ shares saw a 2.7% increase to $18.01 in premarket trading following the announcement, reflecting investor optimism about the drug’s potential.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.