Breakthrough in Lung Cancer Treatment: Ivonescimab Shows Promise
The late-stage trial also showed a statistically significant four-month median survival gain, strengthening hopes for the PD-1/VEGF drug class.
- On Sunday, Akeso and Summit Therapeutics reported that ivonescimab, an experimental lung cancer drug, reduced the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage trial conducted in China involving patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
- Ivonescimab is a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, merging mechanisms of Merck's Keytruda and Roche's Avastin into a single drug. The investment frenzy reflects belief that such combinations may become the gold standard over Keytruda.
- In the HARMONi-6 trial, ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy kept patients alive for a median of 28 months versus 24 months for those receiving Tevimbra and chemotherapy. Investigators described the side effect profile as 'comparable' between groups.
- Dr. David Spiegel of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute cautioned that because the trial was conducted exclusively in China, it is 'too early to gauge the significance' of results beyond that population. Ethnicity differences may affect drug efficacy.
- The ongoing HARMONi-3 global study, which compares ivonescimab to Merck's Keytruda, is expected to report results later this year. This international trial will be watched closely to address ethnicity questions and broader clinical efficacy beyond China.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Chinese drug reduces lung cancer death risk by 34% in trial
A lung cancer drug reduced the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage trial, in the latest sign of China’s pharmaceutical ascendance. The results from the trial conducted in China showed the drug, when combined with chemotherapy, kept people with squamous non-small-cell lung cancer alive for a median of four months longer than the standard treatment, though scientists are debating the findings. “The Chinese biotech industry has arrived,” an oncolo…
Upfront Ivonescimab Plus Chemo Bests PD-1 Inhibitor Combo in Advanced NSCLC
(MedPage Today) -- CHICAGO -- A first-in-class bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF combined with chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according...
HARMONi-6 Demonstrates Significant Overall Survival Benefit (HR=0.66): Ivonescimab Plus Chemotherapy Superior to PD-1 Plus Chemotherapy in First-Line sq-NSCLC Landmark Results to Be Presented at ASCO 2026 Plenary Session
CHICAGO, May 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) ('Akeso' or the 'Company') today announced that ivonescimab, the Company's first-in-class PD-1/VEGF bispecific...
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