Latest news with #ivonescimab
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
NMPA Accepts sNDA for Ivonescimab in Combination with Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
HONG KONG, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso, Inc. ( ('Akeso' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted the supplementary New Drug Application (sNDA) for ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody) in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sq-NSCLC). This submission represents the third accepted application for ivonescimab in China, following previous filings for its combination therapy in EGFR-TKI resistant locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC (nsq-NSCLC), as well as its monotherapy for first-line treatment of PD-L1 positive advanced NSCLC. PD-1 combined with chemotherapy has become a cornerstone in cancer therapy. The sNDA for ivonescimab's new indication is based on the strong positive outcomes from its Phase III trial (AK112-306/HARMONi-6 study), which showed that ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy is superior to tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. Building on the success of its head-to-head comparison with pembrolizumab, ivonescimab's ability to outperform PD-1 combination therapy marks a significant step forward in the evolution of global cancer immunotherapy. Currently, ivonescimab is involved in over 12 registrational/Phase III clinical trials worldwide, including six head-to-head studies with PD-1/L1 inhibitors. These trials span a diverse range of malignancies, such as various subtypes of lung cancer, first-line colorectal cancer, first-line head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, first-line biliary tract cancer, first-line pancreatic cancer, and first-line triple-negative breast cancer, among others. Ivonescimab has established a broad and strategic footprint across key cancer immunotherapy indications. As part of the company's 'IO+ADC' 2.0 oncology strategy, ivonescimab is positioned as a cornerstone agent in immuno-oncology, being evaluated in combination with innovative therapies targeting novel mechanisms and pathways. Forward-Looking Statement of Akeso, Inc. This announcement by Akeso, Inc. ( 'Akeso') contains 'forward-looking statements'. These statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of Akeso's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any decision to purchase securities of Akeso. There can be no assurance that the drug candidate(s) indicated in this announcement or Akeso's other pipeline candidates will obtain the required regulatory approvals or achieve commercial success. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Akeso's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the Akeso's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. Akeso does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law. About Akeso Akeso (HKEX: is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world's first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 24 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 15 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific ADCs. Additionally, 7 new drugs are commercially available, and 2 new drugs with 2 new indications are under regulatory review for approval. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise. For more information, please visit and follow us on Linkedin. View original content: SOURCE Akeso, Inc.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Akeso Announces First Patient Enrolled in the Phase III Trial（AK112-312/HARMONi-GI6）of Ivonescimab for First-Line Treatment of Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
HONG KONG, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso, Inc. ( ("Akeso" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the first patient has been successfully enrolled in the registration Phase III clinical trial (AK112-312/HARMONi-GI6) of ivonescimab in first-line treatment for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This randomized, controlled, multi-center Phase III clinical trial for first-line treatment of mCRC is one of the company's key initiatives to address the significant unmet clinical need worldwide with ivonescimab. Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2022, over 1.9 million new cases were reported, with approximately 904,000 deaths. Of these, about 95% of mCRC cases are classified as microsatellite stable (MSS) or proficient mismatch repair (pMMR), which traditionally show poor responses to immunotherapy and the tumors are often referred to as an "immune desert." For first-line treatment of MSS/pMMR-type mCRC, which represents up to 95% of cases, several PD-1/L1 inhibitors have been explored in multiple international studies. However, the efficacy has been limited, and as of now, no first-line immunotherapy has been approved globally for patients with pMMR/MSS-type mCRC. Chemotherapy combined with targeted therapies (such as bevacizumab, cetuximab, etc.) remains the standard first-line treatment for mCRC, though its overall efficacy is limited, with a five-year survival rate for advanced patients of less than 20%. Bevacizumab is the most well-established and clinically impactful treatment in the mCRC space. It is also one of the core indications of bevacizumab. At the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, Professor Yanhong Deng from the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, presented promising Phase II efficacy data of ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of MSS/pMMR-type mCRC. The combination of ivonescimab with FOLFOXIRI demonstrated compelling anti-tumor activity in this hard to treat patient population, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 81.8% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 100%. After a median follow-up of 9 months, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was not reached, with a 9-month PFS rate of 81.4%. Regardless of KRAS/BRAF mutation status, patients can benefit from ivonescimab combination therapy. The results published at the 2024 ESMO suggest that ivonescimab may offer a significant improvement over existing treatment options for MSS/pMMR mCRC patients. The Phase III trial AK112-312/HARMONi-GI6 can potentially further validate the clinical benefits of ivonescimab in this setting, offering a novel first-line immunotherapy treatment option for patients with advanced mCRC. Forward-Looking Statement of Akeso, Inc. This announcement by Akeso, Inc. ( "Akeso") contains "forward-looking statements". These statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of Akeso's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any decision to purchase securities of Akeso. There can be no assurance that the drug candidate(s) indicated in this announcement or Akeso's other pipeline candidates will obtain the required regulatory approvals or achieve commercial success. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Akeso's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the Akeso's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. Akeso does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law. About Akeso Akeso (HKEX: is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world's first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 24 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 15 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific ADCs. Additionally, 7 new drugs are commercially available, and 2 new drugs with 2 new indications are under regulatory review for approval. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise. For more information, please visit and follow us on Linkedin. View original content: SOURCE Akeso, Inc. 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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Akeso Announces First Patient Enrollment in Phase III Trial of Ivonescimab for Pancreatic Cancer
HONG KONG, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso, Inc. ( ("Akeso" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the first patient has been enrolled in the pivotal/registration Phase III clinical trial (AK112-310/HARMONi-GI2) of ivonescimab, a first-in-class PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody developed by the company. The trial is investigating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy, with or without ligufalimab (CD47 monoclonal antibody), for the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging types of tumors to find effective treatments for. While immunotherapies have demonstrated significant efficacy in different types of of solid tumors, pancreatic cancer's unique immune evasion mechanisms and its highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) have rendered it resistant to current therapies. As a result, previous Phase III studies on using immunotherapies as first-line treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer have mostly failed. To date, no immunotherapy has been approved for first line metastatic pancreatic cancer. Ivonescimab, in combination with chemotherapy and/or ligufalimab, has the potential to address the current lack of effective options in first-line immunotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer. This randomized, controlled, multi-center Phase III trial is a key component of Akeso's broader strategy to address the significant unmet clinical needs in global oncology. Pancreatic cancer is an extremely aggressive form of malignancy that often result in poor patient prognosis. Its global incidence is on the rise, and the mortality rate closely mirrors the incidence, resulting in alarmingly low overall survival rates. In 2022, approximately 511,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed worldwide, and 467,000 deaths were recorded. Early diagnosis remains challenging, with around 80% of patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Even those diagnosed with early-stage or locally advanced disease may see progression to metastatic pancreatic cancer within a year following surgery or other treatments. Current first-line treatments are predominantly chemotherapies and have showed very limited success, with a median overall survival (OS) of less than one year. PD-1 and VEGF are often co-expressed in the tumor microenvironment. As a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, Ivonescimab can accumulate in the TME and effectively block both the PD-1 and the VEGF signaling pathways. While these pathways are independently active, they are also complementary. Inhibition of both PD-1 and VEGF enhances immune cells' ability to target and destroy tumor cells. In addition, ligufalimab binds to CD47 on tumor cells, disrupting the interaction with signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) on phagocytic cells. This process boosts phagocytosis and inhibits tumor growth. The combination of ivonescimab with ligufalimab is expected to synergistically enhance anti-tumor activity, offering a potential breakthrough in the first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Professor Yu Xianjun, Director of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Professor Ying Jie'er from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, and Professor Tai Sheng from Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital are the co-principal investigators of HARMONi-GI2 study. Forward-Looking Statement of Akeso, announcement by Akeso, Inc. ( "Akeso") contains "forward-looking statements". These statements reflect the current beliefs and expectations of Akeso's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any decision to purchase securities of Akeso. There can be no assurance that the drug candidate(s) indicated in this announcement or Akeso's other pipeline candidates will obtain the required regulatory approvals or achieve commercial success. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; Akeso's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the Akeso's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. Akeso does not undertake any obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law. About AkesoAkeso (HKEX: is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world's first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 24 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 15 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific ADCs. Additionally, 7 new drugs are commercially available, and 2 new drugs with 2 new indications are under regulatory review for approval. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise. For more information, please visit and follow us on Linkedin. View original content: SOURCE Akeso, Inc. 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Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Summit Therapeutics Reportedly Makes $15B AstraZeneca Licensing Talks for Lung Cancer Drug
Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) is one of the best hot stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On July 3, Bloomberg News reported that AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is in discussions with Summit Therapeutics for a licensing agreement concerning an experimental lung cancer drug, with a potential value of up to $15 billion. The proposed deal for the drug, which is known as ivonescimab, could involve an upfront payment of several billion dollars to Summit, in addition to future milestone payments. However, the talks are ongoing and could still fall apart. Summit might even choose to partner with a different company. Neither Summit nor AstraZeneca has officially commented on the report. A laboratory employee in a sterile environment inspecting a microscope focused on a Clostridioides difficile infection sample. Summit Therapeutics secured the rights to ivonescimab through a separate deal worth up to $5 billion with China-based Akeso in December 2022. Under that agreement, Summit gained exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ivonescimab in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan, while Akeso (OTC:AKESF) retained rights for other regions, including China. The deal included an upfront payment of $500 million to Akeso and potential regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $4.5 billion. Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes patient, physician, caregiver, and societal-friendly medicinal therapies. AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines. While we acknowledge the potential of SMMT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Revolution Medicines, Summit Therapeutics Partner on RAS Inhibitor/Ivonescimab Combinations for Solid Tumors
Revolution Medicines Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is one of the best high short interest stocks with huge upside potential. On June 30, Revolution Medicines and Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) announced a clinical collaboration to evaluate combinations of Revolution Medicines' investigational RAS(-ON) inhibitors with Summit Therapeutics' ivonescimab in multiple solid tumor settings. The collaboration will assess the safety and efficacy of these combinations in RAS mutant non-small cell lung cancer/NSCLC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma/PDAC, and colorectal cancer/CRC. Under the agreement, Summit Therapeutics will supply ivonescimab for clinical research, while Revolution Medicines will serve as the study sponsor. Both companies will retain commercial rights to their respective compounds. A researcher poring over test results, illustrating the breakthrough potential of biotechnology. The agreement is mutually non-exclusive, allowing each company to pursue additional partnerships. Revolution Medicines will contribute 3 of its clinical-stage RAS(-ON) inhibitors to the collaboration: daraxonrasib (RMC-6236), which is a multi-selective inhibitor; zoldonrasib (RMC-9805), which is a G12D-selective inhibitor; and elironrasib (RMC-6291), which is a G12C-selective inhibitor. Revolution Medicines Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) is a clinical-stage precision oncology company that develops novel targeted therapies for RAS-addicted cancers. Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SMMT) is a biopharmaceutical company. While we acknowledge the potential of RVMD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
