Summit, Akeso Report Lung Cancer Survival Boost With Ivonescimab, A Rival To Merck's Keytruda Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise, Says Analyst

Core Insights - Ivonescimab, a PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibody developed by Summit Therapeutics and Akeso, has shown potential to extend overall survival (OS) in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after EGFR-TKI treatment [1][2] Group 1: Clinical Trial Results - The final analysis of the phase 3 HARMONi study indicated a "statistically significant and clinically meaningful" OS benefit for ivonescimab [2] - Ivonescimab, in combination with chemotherapy, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with a hazard ratio of 0.52 [4] - In a separate analysis, ivonescimab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 49% compared to Merck's Keytruda [4] Group 2: Market Implications - Analysts believe the market is underestimating the significance of Akeso's OS win in EGFR-mutant NSCLC, with a focus on the credibility of trial results from China aligning with previous findings [5] - The strong PFS advantage of ivonescimab over Keytruda positions it to challenge Keytruda's substantial market presence, valued at over $30 billion [6] - HC Wainwright has raised the price forecast for Summit Therapeutics from $44 to $50, reflecting an increased probability of approval in NSCLC to 85% [6] Group 3: Acquisition Potential - There is speculation that Summit Therapeutics could become an attractive acquisition target as global pharmaceutical companies seek to secure PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibodies to remain competitive in the evolving market [7]