Ivonescimab

Akeso's Phase 2 results for ivonescimab, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, show significant tumor reduction in PD-L1-positive R/M HNSCC, with improved efficacy when combined with ligufalimab. A Phase 3 trial comparing ivonescimab plus ligufalimab to pembrolizumab has been initiated.

Research at WCLC 2024 highlights potential treatments for NSCLC and ES-SCLC, including ivonescimab, aumolertinib, sacituzumab govitecan, N-803, durvalumab-based combinations, amivantamab plus lazertinib, ifinatamab deruxtecan, and sacituzumab govitecan. Trials show improved PFS, OS, and ORR with these treatments.

Merck's stock has risen 72% in 5 years, driven by Keytruda's success, but faces uncertainty as Keytruda's patent expires in 2028. Merck forecasts 2024 revenue growth of 5-7% and seeks new blockbusters, while competition from biosimilars and alternative treatments poses risks.

Summit Therapeutics secured $235 million in a private stock sale, selling over 10 million shares at $22.70 each, equal to the closing price. Major internal figures and biotech investors participated, indicating strong confidence. Funds will advance clinical trials for ivonescimab, an investigational cancer treatment.

Ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, showed significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to pembrolizumab in a phase III HARMONi-2 study for first-line treatment of PD-L1–positive advanced NSCLC. Ivonescimab achieved a median PFS of 11.14 months vs 5.8 months for pembrolizumab, with consistent benefits across various patient subgroups. Safety profiles were comparable, with no new safety signals for ivonescimab.

Roivant acquires mosliciguat from Bayer for pulmonary hypertension; Viridian's thyroid eye disease treatment succeeds in Phase 3; Verily alums launch Highlander Health for clinical research optimization; House passes BIOSECURE Act restricting business with Chinese biotechs; Candid Therapeutics raises $370M for bispecific antibody therapies; Merck's Keytruda faces potential competition from Akeso's ivonescimab; Penn's gene therapy ATSN-101 shows promise for rare blindness.

Summit Therapeutics' ivonescimab reduced lung cancer progression or death risk by 49% compared to Keytruda in Phase III HARMONi-2 study, extending progression-free survival to 11 months vs. 6 months for Keytruda. The study involved 398 PD-L1-positive, advanced NSCLC patients in China, with ivonescimab showing higher severe side effects.

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Apple's 'It’s Glowtime' event to unveil iPhone 16 with AI capabilities, Summit Therapeutics shares soar on positive lung cancer drug trial results, Palantir jumps on S&P 500 inclusion news, Boeing stock surges after union deal, and futures point to higher open for major indexes.

Akeso's stock surged after announcing promising lung cancer treatment results, outperforming Merck's Keytruda in a phase III trial. Ivonescimab showed increased progression-free survival and is pending approval in China, with potential for significant commercial success.