Ivonescimab

HONG KONG , Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) ("Akeso" or the "Company") announced that AK158D1, its investigational next-generation bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting EGFR and TROP2, has secured Phase I clinical trial clearance from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) under China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The trial will assess the candidate in patients with advanced malignant solid tumors. AK158D1 is Akeso's fourth ADC to enter clinical development and joins the Company's growing clinical-stage ADC portfolio, which includes AK146D1 (TROP2/Nectin-4), AK138D1 (HER3), and AK157D1 (B7-H3). It is also Akeso's second bispecific ADC to reach the clinic, further advancing the Company's global strategy of combining next-generation immuno-oncology (IO2.0) approaches with next-generation ADC platforms (ADC2.0). EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and TROP2 (trophoblast cell surface antigen 2) constitute a highly promising target pair for bispecific ADC therapeutic development, with broad co-expression across a spectrum of solid tumor types. Each target has well-validated anti-tumor mechanisms of action, and their dual targeting holds significant synergistic anti-tumor potential. To date, single-target ADCs directed against either EGFR or TROP2 have been constrained by three key clinical limitations: narrow tumor coverage, off-target toxicity, and multidrug resistance. As a next-generation dual-targeting ADC, AK158D1 integrates the precise tumor recognition enabled by bispecific antibodies, a highly potent cytotoxic payload, and an enhanced safety pro create a potential breakthrough ADC to address the shortcomings of conventional single-target ADC modalities. Preclinical data for AK158D1 have demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity with a favorable safety profile, supporting its potential as a novel therapeutic option for a wide range of patients, including those who are refractory to, intolerant, or ineligible for existing standard of care regimens. Akeso is advancing its IO2.0 + ADC2.0 strategy, built on proprietary bispecific and multi-specific antibody technology and centered on cornerstone IO2.0 assets including ivonescimab and cadonilimab. Through this approach, the Company is elevating treatment standards for major diseases worldwide and building a broad oncology portfolio to create next-generation standard of care. Leveraging its technological leadership in bispecific and multi-specific antibodies, Akeso is systematically building a comprehensive global IO2.0 + ADC2.0 therapeutic matrix for major diseases worldwide. In the immuno-oncology field, Akeso has two approved bispecific antibodies for cancer treatment. The Company is actively evaluating ivonescimab and cadonilimab in combination with its proprietary next-generation ADC candidates. Increasingly, global partners recognize both ivonescimab and cadonilimab as preferred agents for combination regimens and breakthrough therapy explorations across a wide spectrum of tumor types. In the ADC space, Akeso has built a pipeline of highly differentiated next-generation candidates, including AK146D1, AK138D1, AK157D1 and AK158D1, which are already in clinical development. These agents are designed to address the narrow therapeutic window and safety limitations commonly associated with first-generation ADCs. About AK158D1 AK158D1 is a bispecific ADC developed by Akeso, featuring a humanized antibody that dually targets EGFR and TROP2. Preclinical pharmacodynamic studies have shown strong antigen-binding affinity and robust in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity. About Akeso Akeso (HKEX: 9926.HK) 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, Akeso has built a comprehensive R&D innovation ecosystem anchored by its proprietary Tetrabody antibody technology platform, AI-powered drug R&D platform, Dual-Shield ADC technology platform, Dual-Lock T-cell engager (TCE) technology platform, Tissue-Smart siRNA/mRNA technology platform, and cell therapy technology platforms. Backed by world-class GMP manufacturing facilities and a highly efficient, integrated commercialization system, Akeso has developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical enterprise. Leveraging its fully integrated, multi-functional platform, the Company maintains a robust pipeline of more than 50 innovative assets targeting cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and other major therapeutic areas. Of these, nearly 30 candidates have advanced into clinical trials, including 15 bispecific or multi-specific antibodies and bispecific ADCs. Eight innovative drugs are commercially available, and two additional drugs with three indications are currently under regulatory review for marketing approval. Akeso is committed to becoming a global leader in biopharmaceuticals through efficient and breakthrough innovation in R&D, developing novel therapies that are first-in-class or best-in-class, and providing better disease solutions for patients around the world. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement by Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK, "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 P.R. China, 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 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. View original content: SOURCE Akeso, Inc.

Ivonescimab Reduced the Risk of Death by 27% Compared to Pembrolizumab HARMONi-2 Demonstrated an Improvement in Median Overall Survival of 8.2 Months PD-L1 High Expression Subgroup: Hazard Ratio = 0.58 Summit is Conducting Global Phase III HARMONi-7 Study in Patients with PD-L1 High-Expressing NSCLC Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) today noted that its partner Akeso Inc. announced that updated data, including overall survival (OS), from the randomized, double-blind Phase III HARMONi-2 trial featuring the novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody ivonescimab is being presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s (IASLC) 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2026) in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The HARMONi-2 presentation entitled, Overall Survival Analysis From HARMONi-2: Ivonescimab vs Pembrolizumab as First-Line Treatment for PD-L1-Positive NSCLC, evaluated ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 Score >1%). HARMONi-2 (AK112-303) is a single-region, multi-center Phase III study conducted in China and sponsored by Akeso, with all relevant data exclusively generated, managed, and analyzed by Akeso. The trial results will be presented by Professor Caicun Zhou, MD, PhD, Chief Physician and Director of the Department of Medical Oncology at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, and President of IASLC, on Tuesday September 15, 2026. Clinically Meaningful Efficacy In this protocol-specified interim analysis of OS, a secondary endpoint in the HARMONi-2 study, ivonescimab monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy, achieving a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.95; p=0.009). A clinically meaningful benefit was demonstrated across important clinical subgroups, including those with PD-L1 low expression (PD-L1 Score 1-49%) and PD-L1 high expression (PD-L1 Score ≥ 50%), along with those with squamous and non-squamous histologies. In this analysis, ivonescimab continued to demonstrate an acceptable and manageable safety pro the HARMONi-2 study, which was consistent with previous Phase III studies of ivonescimab. No additional safety signals were noted in the HARMONi-2 study in this current data cut with longer treatment duration (median of 14 cycles of ivonescimab vs. 10 cycles of pembrolizumab) compared to the previous data cut. Global Phase III HARMONi-7 StudyBased on the primary analysis results of HARMONi-2, Summit initiated the global HARMONi-7 study (NCT06767514) in early 2025. HARMONi-7 is a randomized, double-blind, multi-regional Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy to pembrolizumab monotherapy in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 Score > 50%). The study is currently recruiting, with a target enrollment of 780 patients globally. The co-primary endpoints of HARMONi-7 are PFS and OS. The HARMONi-2 study is being conducted by Akeso in China, where ivonescimab is approved and commercially available for indications in NSCLC. Ivonescimab remains investigational and is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, and as AK112 outside of Summit’s license territories, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. By design, ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity to PD-1 when in the presence of VEGF. This design is intended to differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Summit believes ivonescimab’s specifically engineered tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the TME (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of ivonescimab’s design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days after the first dose (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025) and increasing to approximately 10 days at steady state dosing, is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, side effects, and safety profiles associated with prior approved drugs to these targets. Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently utilized in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Over 4,000 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally and over 70,000 patients when considering those treated in a commercial setting in China, as noted by Akeso. There are currently 16 Phase III clinical studies that are either announced, ongoing, or have been completed studying ivonescimab, five of which are Summit-sponsored global studies, one of which is a multiregional study sponsored by a cooperative group, and 10 of which are being or have been conducted in China by Akeso. Summit began its clinical development of ivonescimab in NSCLC, commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multiregional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3. In 2025, Summit began enrolling patients in HARMONi-7. Summit expanded its Phase III clinical development program into colorectal cancer (CRC) in the fourth quarter of 2025 by initiating enrollment in HARMONi-GI3. In 2026, Summit announced initiation of HARMONi-GU1, a Phase II/III study in urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) with global clinical trial site activations planned to begin by the fourth quarter of 2026. HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a third-generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib). Detailed results of the study were provided in September 2025, and a Biologics License Application (BLA) was submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing authorization, which the FDA accepted for filing in January 2026; the goal Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is November 14, 2026. HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic, squamous or non-squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. The clinical trial is evaluating the two histologies as individual, separately powered cohorts with independent statistical powering. HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-GI3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with first-line unresectable metastatic CRC. HARMONi-GU1 is a Phase II/III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab plus the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) enfortumab vedotin (EV) compared to pembrolizumab plus EV as first-line therapy in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC). ILLUMINE is a Phase III study being conducted by GORTEC, a cooperative group dedicated to Head and Neck Oncology, in recurrent / metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC). ILLUMINE is a three-arm Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy, as well as ivonescimab in combination with ligufalimab, Akeso’s proprietary anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, compared to monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1 positive r/m HNSCC. Five Phase III ivonescimab clinical trials have read out to date, all five with positive data. Four of these five studies are in NSCLC, and one is in biliary tract cancer (BTC). In addition to Summit’s positive HARMONi study, Akeso has had positive read-outs in three single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials in NSCLC, HARMONi-A, HARMONi-2, and HARMONi-6, including a statistically significant overall survival benefit in all three studies. Akeso has also reported a statistically significant OS benefit in the single-region (China), randomized Phase III HARMONi-GI1 trial in advanced BTC. HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI. HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-6 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-GI1 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with durvalumab plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced BTC. Akeso is actively conducting additional Phase III clinical studies in settings outside of NSCLC and biliary-tract cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was initially approved for marketing authorization in China in May 2024. Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of patient-, physician-, caregiver- and societal-friendly medicinal therapies intended to improve quality of life, increase potential duration of life, and resolve serious unmet medical needs. Summit was founded in 2003 and the company’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (symbol "SMMT"). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in Palo Alto, California, Princeton, New Jersey, Dublin, Ireland, and Oxford, UK. References: Xiong A, Wang L, Chen J, Wu L, Liu B, Yao J, et al. Ivonescimab versus pembrolizumab for PD-L1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (HARMONi-2): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 study in China. Lancet. 2025;405(10481):839-849. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02722-3. 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