XtalPi AI Drug Discovery Collaboration Reaches Milestone as PharmaEngine’s Novel PRMT5 Inhibitor PEP08 Receives Clinical Trial Approvals

On September 9, 2025 XtalPi Inc. (Stock Code: 2228.HK) reported that PEP08, a next-generation PRMT5 inhibitor candidate developed through its AI drug discovery collaboration with PharmaEngine, Inc. (TWO:4162), has received regulatory clearances to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials in solid tumors (Press release, XtalPi, SEP 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234655890]). Approvals include Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), recognized by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and the food and drug authority of the Taiwan region (TFDA). This milestone triggered a payment to XtalPi under the partnership agreement.

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PRMT5 (Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5) is a validated synthetic lethality target in tumors harboring homozygous MTAP deletion, which is related to poor prognosis and present in 10-15% of human cancers, including small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, and bladder cancer. While PRMT5 inhibition offers a potent mechanism for targeted therapy, first-generation inhibitors face significant challenges in selectivity, resulting in dose-limiting toxicities and unmet medical needs.

Leveraging its integrated drug discovery platform that combines quantum physics, AI, and large-scale robotic experiments, XtalPi partnered with PharmaEngine’s scientific team to conduct de novo drug design. The AI platform generated a multi-million compound library for PRMT5, identifying novel lead series with exceptional potency and selectivity. Following iterative optimization through quantum physics and AI-powered ADMET screening, PEP08 emerged as the preclinical candidate (PCC) and advanced through IND-enabling studies by PharmaEngine.

As a second-generation PRMT5 inhibitor with a novel scaffold, PEP08 demonstrates superior activity and selectivity. Its MTA-cooperative binding mode stabilizes a ternary complex with PRMT5, enabling highly selective target inhibition. This mechanism drives potent synthetic lethality efficacy against MTAP-deleted tumor cells while minimizing off-target effects on normal cells, highlighting significant therapeutic potential.

Preclinical studies revealed PEP08’s markedly improved safety profile compared to first-generation PRMT5 inhibitors, alongside favorable blood-brain barrier penetration and overall developability characteristics. The compound achieved robust in vivo efficacy across multiple animal models. Compared to other clinical-stage second-generation candidates, PEP08 exhibits potential best-in-class properties and compelling combination therapy opportunities. PharmaEngine presented these findings at the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

PEP08’s successful regulatory clearance and milestone achievement underscore XtalPi’s platform-driven innovation capabilities and mark a pivotal advancement in its partnership with PharmaEngine. XtalPi remains committed to empowering partners to discover novel drug candidates addressing complex targets, accelerate the development of competitive pipeline projects, and deliver transformative medicines to patients worldwide.

Cadonilimab(PD-1/CTLA-4) plus Pulocimab (VEGFR-2) Combination Therapy Shows Promising Results in IO-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Oral Presentation at the 2025 WCLC

On September 9, 2025 Akeso Inc. (9926.HK) reported that data from a Phase Ib/II clinical study evaluating the combination of cadonilimab and pulocimab (an anti-VEGFR-2 antibody) in patients with immunotherapy (IO)-resistant NSCLC were presented in a Mini Oral session at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, SEP 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234655889]). This marks the first clinical data release for cadonilimab in IO-resistant lung cancer. The cadonilimab combination therapy for advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progressing after PD-(L)1 inhibitor treatment, has previously received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the NMPA.

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The combination of cadonilimab and pulocimab also offers a potentially chemo-free option for advanced IO resistant NSCLC patients. The data presented at the 2025 WCLC demonstrated that the cadonilimab plus pulocimab regimen shows encouraging efficacy and broad clinical potential in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC who progressed after first-line standard immunotherapy-based treatment, offering a promising effective and safe therapeutic option for IO-resistant lung cancer patients:

As of January 13, 2025, with a median follow-up of 16.7 months, the cadonilimab-based combination achieved a median overall survival (mOS) of 15.6 months and a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 5.8 months in IO-resistant NSCLC.
In the squamous NSCLC (sqNSCLC) subgroup, mOS was 16.7 months, mPFS was 7.1 months, the disease control rate (DCR) reached 96.2%, and the objective response rate (ORR) was 11.5%. In the non-squamous NSCLC (nsq-NSCLC) subgroup, mOS was 12.8 months, mPFS was 5.5 months, DCR was 95.2%, and ORR was 14.3%.
Based on the promising clinical efficacy and safety data, preparation is underway for a Phase III clinical study evaluating the combination of cadonilimab and pulocimab for IO-resistant lung cancer. Additionally, ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF), another novel bispecific antibody developed by Akeso, has shown unique efficacy and significant expansion potential in the IO-resistant NSCLC population. A registrational Phase III trial for ivonescimab has already been initiated.

As first-in-class bispecific antibodies, both cadonilimab and ivonescimab are showing increasing advantages across a broadening range of disease areas. By leveraging dual-targets with synergistic mechanisms, they both address critical clinical challenges, such as limited efficacy or resistance to single-target agents like PD-1 inhibitors. This positions the bispecific antibodies as superior treatment options for patients worldwide.

In recent years, immunotherapy has made significant progress in lung cancer treatment. PD-1/L1 inhibitors, either alone or with platinum-based chemotherapy, are the first-line treatment for driver-negative advanced NSCLC. However, 60%–70% of patients experience disease progression within a year. Docetaxel is the standard therapy for IO-resistant patients, but its effectiveness is limited. Improving outcomes for NSCLC patients after IO resistance remains a critical unmet need. Previous Phase III trials for IO-resistant lung cancer, including those with PD-1 inhibitors and ADCs, have not demonstrated meaningful clinical benefits. There is currently no approved standard treatment for NSCLC after resistance to IO therapies.

The combination of cadonilimab and pulocimab has shown strong clinical potential in IO-resistant lung cancer, notably extending patient survival. The cadonilimab and pulocimab combination has also shown promising clinical data in other treatment-resistant cancers, including IO-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer. Cadonilimab’s proven efficacy for patients across all levels of PD-L1 expression, positions it as a key solution for IO-resistant cancers. This breakthrough offers a potentially new option for NSCLC patients that currently have limited treatment options after resistance to cancer immunotherapies.

iOnctura Expands Roginolisib Trials to the US, Advancing Multi-Indication Strategy in Oncology

On September 9, 2025 iOnctura, a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, reported the expansion of its clinical trial program for lead candidate roginolisib into the United States (Press release, iOnctura, SEP 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234655888]). Several US trial sites are now enrolling patients in the OCULE-01 Phase II study in metastatic uveal melanoma, with an additional study, led by Dr Jennifer Brown, underway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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Catherine Pickering, CEO and co-founder of iOnctura said, "We are proud to begin the next phase of iOnctura’s global growth by making roginolisib available to US patients in our clinical studies. The enthusiastic response from US investigators, leading research centers, and patient communities highlights the significant opportunity to impact outcomes for individuals with limited treatment options."

Roginolisib, an orally dosed small molecule allosteric modulator of PI3Kδ, is being investigated in multiple randomized Phase II studies in solid and hematological malignancies. The global Phase II randomized OCULE-01 study (NCT06717126) will assess whether roginolisib improves overall survival in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma who have progressed on prior therapy. Patients from both the US and Europe are now being treated in the study, which started in March 2025.

Roginolisib is also being investigated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (NCT06879717) and myelofibrosis (NCT06887803). In these diseases, targeting the PI3Kδ pathway in combination with standard therapies has potential to reverse resistance[1],[2].

Seeing the promise of roginolisib as a combination therapy, the US Department of Defense (DoD) recently awarded a substantial grant to Dr. Jennifer Brown at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, to explore the potential of roginolisib in relapsed / refractory CLL in a Phase I / II study (NCT06644183).

Dr. Jennifer R Brown, M.D. Ph.D., Director of the CLL Center of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Principal Investigator on the study and grant said, "We are enthusiastic about the potential of roginolisib in enhancing treatment outcomes for CLL patients who have relapsed after prior Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. We feel roginolisib offers a promising avenue to improve remission depth and duration in combination with venetoclax and rituximab, whilst minimizing treatment-related side effects."

Recently published preclinical evidence by Sasi, Tarantelli et al. supports the synergistic potential of roginolisib and venetoclax in the treatment of CLL[3].

Taiho Oncology and Cullinan Therapeutics Present Data on Zipalertinib at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer

On September 9, 2025 Taiho Oncology, Inc., and Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc., reported new data from the REZILIENT1 and REZILIENT2 trials of zipalertinib, an oral EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Taiho, SEP 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234655887]). These data will be presented at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer as mini oral presentations on September 9 during the "MA08 – Common and Uncommon EGFR Mutations, New Treatments in the Horizon" session, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. CEST.

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A mini oral presentation will highlight updated data from the pivotal Phase 2b REZILIENT1 trial of zipalertinib, focused on patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations, who have been previously treated with amivantamab.1

A second mini oral presentation will highlight Phase 2b preliminary efficacy and safety results from the ongoing, uncommon non-ex20ins EGFR mutations cohort of the REZILIENT2 trial of zipalertinib in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC harboring ex20ins and uncommon non-ex20ins EGFR mutations.2

"We’re pleased to share longer-term follow-up data from the REZILIENT1 study of zipalertinib for patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations who have been previously treated with amivantamab," said Zofia Piotrowska, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and lung cancer clinical oncologist at the Mass General Cancer Center. "Despite recent treatment advancements, a significant medical need exists for this patient population, underscoring the importance of these data."

"Uncommon non-exon 20 insertion EGFR mutations represent a significant clinical challenge, as they exhibit variable and often suboptimal responses to currently approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors," said Hibiki Udagawa, MD, PhD, thoracic medical oncologist, National Cancer Hospital East, Japan. "We are pleased to present the interim data from the uncommon non-ex20ins EGFR mutations cohort from the REZILIENT2 trial, potentially demonstrating the need for novel, targeted therapeutic approaches for this patient population."

Authors reported results from the REZILIENT1 study of zipalertinib from the cohort of NSCLC patients with EGFR ex20ins mutations who received prior amivantamab therapy1

Summary of Efficacy – by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR):
As of the June 2025 data cutoff, 84 post-amivantamab patients were enrolled in REZILIENT1 and received at least one dose of 100 mg zipalertinib. Patients had received a median of 3 prior lines of therapy, and 54.8% of patients had a history of brain metastases.

With follow-up of more than 9 months, zipalertinib demonstrated:

In all patients (n=84), confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 27.4% with median duration of response (mDOR) of 8.5 months, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 84.5%.

In patients with prior amivantamab only (n=54), ORR was 31.5% with mDOR of 9.5 months, and the DCR was 87.0%.

In patients with prior amivantamab and other ex20ins-targeted therapy (n=30), ORR was 20.0% with mDOR of 8.3 months, and the DCR was 80.0%.

In patients with brain metastases who received prior amivantamab only (n=31), the systemic ORR was 29%.
Summary of Safety and Tolerability
The safety analysis population included all post-amivantamab patients in REZILIENT1 who received at least one dose of 100 mg zipalertinib (n=84). The results showed that zipalertinib 100 mg twice daily demonstrated a manageable safety profile in patients who progressed on prior chemotherapy and amivantamab with no new safety signals.

The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs, all-grade) were paronychia (41.7%), anemia (38.1%), rash (34.5%), nausea (28.6%), diarrhea (22.6%), dry skin (21.4%), dermatitis acneiform (21.4%) and dyspnea (20.2%).

The most common grade ≥3 TEAEs were anemia (15.5%), pneumonia (10.7%), dyspnea (6.0%), rash (3.6%), diarrhea (2.4%) and stomatitis (2.4%).

Authors reported results from the REZILIENT2 study of zipalertinib from the cohort of patients with NSCLC harboring uncommon non-exon 20 insertion EGFR mutations2

Summary of Preliminary Efficacy –by Investigator
As of the March 2025 data cutoff, 40 patients were enrolled in the REZILIENT2 Cohort D and received zipalertinib 100 mg orally twice daily. Previously treated patients had received a median of 2 prior lines of therapy, and 30% of all patients enrolled, including treatment-naïve, had a history of brain metastases.

As of the data cut-off, zipalertinib demonstrated:

In the overall efficacy population (n=40), confirmed ORR was 30% with a mDOR of 7.75 months, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 70%.
In the treatment-naïve population (n=8), ORR was significantly higher (62.5%) compared to the previously treated patient population (n=32, ORR 21.9%).
Summary of Preliminary Safety and Tolerability
The safety analysis population included all REZILIENT2 patients in Cohort D who received at least one dose of 100 mg zipalertinib (n=40). The results showed that zipalertinib 100 mg twice daily demonstrated a manageable safety and tolerability profile with no new safety signals.

The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs, all-grade) were paronychia (47.5%), dermatitis acneiform (37.5%), stomatitis (32.5%), anemia (30.0%), diarrhea (22.5%), rash (20.0%), and dry skin (15.0%). The majority of TRAEs were grade 1 or 2.

The most common grade ≥3 TRAEs were paronychia (5.0%), pneumonitis and anemia (5.0%).

About REZILIENT1
REZILIENT1 (Researching Zipalertinib In EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumors) is a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT04036682) to evaluate efficacy and safety of zipalertinib in adult patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations who have received prior therapy. Patients were treated with oral zipalertinib 100 mg twice daily. The primary endpoints were ORR and DOR as assessed by blinded independent central review (ICR) per RECIST v1.1. Adverse events were characterized and graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5.0).

About REZILIENT2
REZILIENT2 is a Phase 2b clinical trial (NCT05967689), evaluating zipalertinib in patients with locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC harboring ex20ins and uncommon single or compound EGFR mutations. Patients were treated with oral zipalertinib 100 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was ORR and confirmed per investigator-assessed Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) v1.1 and the secondary endpoints included DOR, DCR and safety.

About Zipalertinib
Zipalertinib (development code: CLN-081/TAS6417) is an orally available small molecule designed to target activating mutations in EGFR. The molecule was selected because of its ability to inhibit EGFR variants with ex20ins mutations, while sparing wild-type EGFR. Zipalertinib is designed as a next generation, irreversible EGFR inhibitor for the treatment of a genetically defined subset of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Zipalertinib has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA. Zipalertinib is investigational and has not been approved by any health authority.

Zipalertinib is being developed by Taiho Oncology, Inc., its parent company, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and in collaboration with Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc. in the U.S.

Dizal Showcases Robust Portfolio of Lung Cancer Studies at 2025 WCLC

On September 9, 2025 Dizal (SSE:688192), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel medicines for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, reported the presentation of new findings on its leading assets, ZEGFROVY (sunvozertinib) and golidocitinib, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), held September 6–9 in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Dizal Pharma, SEP 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234655886]).

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ZEGFROVY: Targeting EGFR exon20ins and a wide spectrum of EGFR mutations

The latest data from the multinational pivotal WU-KONG1 Part B (WU-KONG1B) study for ZEGFROVY were presented in an oral session at the conference and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Based on results from WU-KONG1B, ZEGFROVY received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2025 as the only targeted oral therapy for NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations (exon20ins).

ZEGFROVY demonstrated a favorable benefit/risk profile in patients with platinum-based chemotherapy pretreated NSCLC with EGFR exon20ins. The study showed robust and durable antitumor activity with a manageable safety profile. (#MA08.01).

In addition to the oral presentation, multiple studies of ZEGFROVY were presented at the WCLC, highlighting its potential across a broad range of NSCLC patients, including those with EGFR exon20ins across all lines of therapy, uncommon EGFR and HER2 mutations, EGFR-sensitive mutation and co-mutations, and EGFR mutations resistant to EGFR TKIs. Both monotherapy and combination regimens were evaluated.

In EGFR exon20ins NSCLC, ZEGFROVY demonstrated promising antitumor efficacy and a tolerable safety profile across first- and second- line, as well as adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment settings.

ZEGFROVY combined with anlotinib achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of over 80% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 100% in treatment-naïve EGFR exon20ins NSCLC (#P3.12.43).
In previously treated patients, ZEGFROVY combined with bevacizumab achieved a DCR of 100%, with target tumor lesion shrinkage observed in 85.7% of patients. With a median follow-up of 15.2 months, the median duration of response (DoR) was 19.1 months, and three patients (3/14) remained in response at the data cut-off (#P2.10.13).
Real-world cases supported the potential of ZEGFROVY in early- and advanced- stage NSCLC patients with EGFR exon20ins.

As a neoadjuvant therapy, ZEGFROVY showed encouraging clinical benefit, with all 3 patients achieving an obvious partial response (PR) before surgery. (#EP.07.49).
In the adjuvant setting, ZEGFROVY showed sustained efficacy and tolerable safety profiles, helping patients successfully pass the 1-year after surgery, a peak period for disease recurrence (#EP.07.55).
In the first-line maintenance setting, ZEGFROVY showed sustained efficacy and safety in lung adenocarcinoma patients who were intolerant to immunotherapy and chemotherapy (#EP.12.47).
In NSCLC patients harboring uncommon EGFR mutations, ZEGFROVY combined with anlotinib demonstrated promising efficacy, including one patient who achieved complete remission of intracranial lesions (#P3.12.43). In a separate real-world case series, ZEGFROVY exhibited clinical efficacy in advanced NSCLC with HER2 exon20ins, with tumor shrinkage obviously observed post-prior treatment failures (#EP.12.46).

In treatment-naïve NSCLC patients with EGFR-sensitive mutation and co-mutations, ZEGFROVY in combination with anlotinib achieved an ORR of 77.8% and a DCR of 100% (#P3.12.22). In NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations who failed prior EGFR-TKI therapies, ZEGFROVY, both as monotherapy (#EP.12.43) and in combination with chemotherapy (#P3.12.47), was well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity.

Golidocitinib: Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) only inhibitor Plus Anti-PD-1 in Anti-PD-1 Treated Advanced NSCLC

Resistance to first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) leads to limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Preclinical and early clinical data have shown synergistic effects between JAK inhibitors and anti-PD-1, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy in this population. Golidocitinib in combination with anti-PD-1 was being evaluated in immune-resistant NSCLC patients. The study showed a well-tolerated profile, with no DLTs observed in the dose-escalation phase. Ongoing enrollment and data collection will provide deeper insights into clinical utility of golidocitinib (#P1.11.74).

Dr. Xiaolin Zhang, CEO of Dizal, remarked, "Dizal is advancing therapies for patients with NSCLC across EGFR exon 20 insertion, uncommon and EGFR-sensitizing mutations to address significant unmet medical needs. Through scientific innovation, we aim to deliver safe, effective and transformative treatments to patients worldwide."