Bemcentinib

On January 7, 2025, BerGenBio ASA announced the inclusion of the first patient in a clinical trial for bemcentinib, an AXL kinase inhibitor, combined with pacritinib for lung adenocarcinoma treatment. Led by Dr. Josephine A. Taverna at UT Health San Antonio, the study targets AXL and JAK-STAT3 pathways in lung cancer, funded by NCI/NIH.

BerGenBio ASA appoints Olav Hellebø as CEO, leveraging his 30 years of experience in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, including roles at ReNeuron Group PLC and Clavis Pharma ASA. Hellebø aims to advance BerGenBio's candidate drug, bemcentinib, for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with STK11 mutations.

CancerNetwork panel discussed immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC, focusing on combination therapies and dual vs. single-agent measures. A clinical scenario involving a KRAS G12D, STK11-positive, PD-L1-negative adenocarcinoma patient highlighted the debate on ideal treatment, with consensus leaning towards chemoimmunotherapy. The panel also explored the potential of AXL inhibitors to overcome STK11 mutations, with ongoing trials examining their use alongside immunotherapy.