Core Insights - Merus N.V. (MRUS) shares have increased by 29.9% over the past three months, driven by positive interim results from a phase II study of its bispecific antibody, petosemtamab (MCLA-158), in combination with Merck's Keytruda for treating PD-L1-positive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [1][4] Study Results - As of February 27, 2025, 45 patients were treated, with 43 deemed efficacy-evaluable, resulting in a confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 63%, which included six complete responses and 21 partial responses [2] - The ORR varied with PD-L1 expression levels, showing a 73% ORR in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) greater than 20 and 47% in those with CPS 1–19 [2] - Median progression-free survival was reported at nine months, with an overall survival rate of 79% at 12 months [3] Safety Profile - The safety profile of the combination therapy was manageable, with no significant overlapping toxicities reported with Keytruda; treatment-related adverse events occurred in all patients, with infusion-related reactions observed in 38% [5][6] Future Prospects - The promising data suggests that the petosemtamab combination therapy could become a new standard of care for HNSCC, a cancer type with poor prognosis [6] - Merus is also conducting a registrational phase III study (LiGeR-HN1) for the combination therapy and another study (LiGeR-HN2) for petosemtamab monotherapy [7][8] Market Context - Merck's Keytruda, a leading anti-PD-1 therapy, generated $7.21 billion in sales in Q1 2025, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, and continues to expand into new indications and markets [8][10]

Core Insights - Cue Biopharma, Inc. has reported promising results from its Phase 1 trial of CUE-101, showing an overall response rate (ORR) of 50% in treatment-naïve patients with recurrent metastatic HPV+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [3] - The 12-month overall survival (OS) rate is 88%, indicating a significant reduction in the risk of death compared to historical data [3] - The median overall survival (mOS) is currently estimated at 32 months [3] Company Overview - Cue Biopharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a novel class of therapeutic biologics aimed at selectively engaging and modulating disease-specific T cells for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer [2][7] - The company's proprietary platform, Immuno-STAT™, is designed to harness the body's immune system without the adverse effects associated with broad systemic immune modulation [7] Product Details - CUE-101 is the most advanced clinical stage drug candidate from the CUE-100 series, designed to activate and expand HPV16 tumor-specific T cells [6] - The mechanism of action involves presenting two signals to T cells: one from the HPV E7 protein and another from an engineered IL-2 variant [6] - The CUE-100 series consists of Fc-fusion biologics that selectively target and activate tumor-specific T cells while minimizing systemic activation and potential toxicities [5] Clinical Trial Insights - The Phase 1 trial of CUE-101 is fully enrolled and evaluates the drug as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) for HPV16+ driven recurrent/metastatic HNSCC [6] - The trial results indicate that CUE-101 may represent a breakthrough therapeutic approach for patients battling HNSCC, as stated by the company's chief medical officer [4]

"We are very pleased to reach this important milestone and with such an encouraging rate of enrollment in our CRB-701 program," said Dr. Dominic Smethurst, MA MRCP, Chief Medical Officer of Corbus. "CRB-701 data demonstrates differentiated safety, tolerability and efficacy profiles in HNSCC, cervical and mUC tumors." The three-part Phase 1 study (NCT06265727) is evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of CRB- 701 in participants with advanced solid tumors associated with high Nectin-4 expressio ...

Core Insights - Alvotech has partnered with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories to co-develop a biosimilar candidate to Keytruda, which is used for various cancer types [1][2] - Keytruda generated worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024, highlighting the potential market size for the biosimilar [2] - The collaboration aims to leverage both companies' strengths in biosimilars to expedite development and enhance global market access [2] Company Developments - The agreement stipulates that both parties will share responsibilities and costs associated with the development and manufacturing of the biosimilar candidate [2][3] - Alvotech recently acquired the R&D operations of Xbrane Biopharma for approximately SEK275 million (around $27 million), which includes a biosimilar candidate based on Cimzia [4] - HSBC has upgraded Dr. Reddy's Laboratories from Hold to Buy, increasing the price forecast from $14.44 to $16.9 [4] Market Performance - As of the latest update, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY) stock rose by 6.07% to $15.65, while Alvotech (ALVO) stock decreased by 2.49% to $10.56 [7] - Analysts often utilize earnings growth and fundamental research for valuation, while some traders rely on technical analysis for stock price predictions [5][6]

Core Insights - Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY) has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Alvotech (ALVO) to co-develop and commercialize a biosimilar candidate to Merck's Keytruda, a leading PD-L1 inhibitor [1][8] Group 1: Collaboration Details - The agreement entails that RDY and ALVO will jointly share all costs associated with the development and manufacturing of the biosimilar candidate [3] - Both companies will retain the rights to commercialize the product globally upon successful development [3][8] Group 2: Market Impact - The collaboration is expected to significantly enhance Dr. Reddy's biosimilar portfolio, particularly in emerging markets, and strengthen its capabilities in oncology [4][8] - Keytruda generated sales of $29.5 billion in 2024, with a year-over-year growth of 6% to $7.21 billion in Q1 2025, highlighting the potential market opportunity for the biosimilar [2] Group 3: Previous Agreements - RDY and ALVO had previously signed a license and supply agreement in 2024 for the commercialization of AVT03, a biosimilar candidate to Amgen's Prolia and Xgeva [9] - The FDA accepted a regulatory filing for AVT03 in March 2025, indicating progress in their biosimilar development efforts [9][10] Group 4: Strategic Focus - The introduction of AVT03 could enhance patient access to affordable treatment options for osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions, addressing a significant healthcare need [11][12] - Dr. Reddy's is actively diversifying its generics portfolio to strengthen its market position [12]

CTLA-4 inhibitor ADG126 can be dosed at 20 mg/kg Q6W in combination with pembrolizumab with <20% Grade 3 adverse events In combination with pembrolizumab, ADG126 showed a 29% confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer All six responders in the 20 mg/kg cohorts remain on treatment, with four patients on study for over forty weeks Median overall survival (OS) for the 10 mg/kg cohorts was 19.4 months, with a median follow-up of 17.8 months and only 1 out of 41 patients was ...

NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulatory, off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccines, announced today that Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, the company’s President and CEO, along with Amy Sullivan, the company’s CFO, and Qasim Ahmad, MD, the company’s CMO, will be participating in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen 6th Annual Oncology Summit: Insights for ASCO & EHA being held virtually May 27-28, 2025. Additionally ...

Core Insights - IO Biotech is advancing its pipeline of immune-modulatory cancer vaccines, with a pivotal Phase 3 trial expected to read out in Q3 2025 [1][5][6] - The company aims to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for its lead candidate, Cylembio, in 2025, with a potential launch in the US in 2026 [2][6] - IO Biotech was recognized as one of the most innovative biotechnology companies by Fast Company, ranking 9th in the biotechnology category [5][6] Financial Performance - For Q1 2025, the company reported a net loss of $22.4 million, compared to a net loss of $19.5 million in Q1 2024 [13] - Research and development expenses increased to $16.4 million in Q1 2025 from $14.3 million in Q1 2024 [13] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $37.1 million as of March 31, 2025, down from $60.0 million at the end of 2024 [13] Clinical Trials and Developments - The pivotal Phase 3 trial (IOB-013/KN-D18) is evaluating Cylembio in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA for advanced melanoma, with 407 patients enrolled [11] - Initial data from the perioperative Phase 2 trial (IOB-032/PN-E40) is expected in the second half of 2025 [6][13] - The company completed enrollment in its ongoing clinical trials, which include studies for various solid tumors [9][14][15] Upcoming Events - IO Biotech will participate in TD Cowen's 6th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit on May 27, 2025, and the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on June 4, 2025 [5][6]

Summit Therapeutics Inc. SMMT on Friday noted that Akeso, Inc. announced the Chinese Health Authorities, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved ivonescimab for a second indication based on the results of the Phase 3 trial, HARMONi-2 or AK112-303.On Friday, Summit Therapeutics stock closed almost 30% lower at around $23.47.HARMONi-2 evaluated monotherapy ivonescimab, PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, against monotherapy Merck & Co Inc’s MRK Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with locally ...

Core Insights - Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. presented updated clinical data for MDNA11, a long-acting IL-2 super-agonist, at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, highlighting its potential in treating advanced solid tumors, particularly in patients resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors [1][2][10] Clinical Activity - Ten patients achieved an objective response (5 confirmed) with MDNA11 alone or in combination with KEYTRUDA, showing an objective response rate (ORR) of 36% (5 of 14) in all tumor types and 31% (4 of 13) in cancers planned for the Phase 2 combination expansion cohort [1][5] - In the monotherapy dose expansion, patients treated at ≥ 60 µg/kg had an ORR of 29.4% (5 of 17) across all tumor types and 40% (4 of 10) in the Phase 2 monotherapy expansion cohort [1][7] - The highest ORR of 50% was observed among MSI-H patients receiving MDNA11 monotherapy and endometrial cancer patients receiving the combination treatment [1][6] Safety Profile - MDNA11 demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, with over 90% of treatment-related adverse events being Grade 1-2 and transient, and no dose-limiting toxicities observed at doses up to 120 µg/kg [3][5] Immunodynamics - The study showed robust expansion of immune effector cells in both monotherapy and combination settings, with notable increases in critical T cell populations necessary for sustained anti-tumor responses [6][9] Future Directions - Enrollment in the Phase 2 combination dose expansion arm is ongoing, with the recommended dose for expansion established at 90 µg/kg every 2 weeks alongside KEYTRUDA [1][10] - Additional clinical data from the ABILITY-1 study is expected to be shared at future medical conferences throughout the year [2][8]