Akeso's Ivonescimab Shows Survival Benefit in Lung Cancer Trial, Challenging Merck's Keytruda Franchise

Akeso and Summit Therapeutics reported that ivonescimab, a PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibody, extended patients' lives for EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The final overall survival analysis of the phase 3 HARMONi-A study showed that ivonescimab met the OS clinical endpoint. Detailed results will be presented at an upcoming medical conference. HC Wainwright raised Summit's price forecast from $44 to $50, citing a higher probability of approval in NSCLC to 85%.

Akeso and Summit Therapeutics have reported encouraging results for their drug, ivonescimab, in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The phase 3 HARMONi-A study showed that ivonescimab, a PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibody, extended patients' lives for EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. The final overall survival (OS) analysis demonstrated that ivonescimab met the OS clinical endpoint [1].

The study compared ivonescimab plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy to a placebo plus platinum-doublet chemotherapy. The results indicated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with a hazard ratio of 0.52 [2]. This data suggests that ivonescimab could challenge Merck's Keytruda, which previously failed to show an OS benefit in this setting.

The companies plan to present detailed results at an upcoming medical conference. Analysts have reacted positively to the news, with HC Wainwright raising Summit's price forecast from $44 to $50, citing a higher probability of approval in NSCLC to 85% [2].

References:
[1] https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/26/akeso-says-its-closely-watched-drug-improved-patient-survival-in-a-lung-cancer-trial/
[2] https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/08/47367794/summit-akeso-report-lung-cancer-survival-boost-with-ivonescimab-a-rival-to-mercks-keytruda-multi-billion-dollar-franchise-says-analyst