Incyte Announces Positive Topline Results from Pivotal Study of Tafasitamab (Monjuvi®/Minjuvi®) as a First-line Treatment for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

On January 5, 2026 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported positive topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 frontMIND trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of tafasitamab (Monjuvi/Minjuvi), a humanized Fc-modified cytolytic CD19 targeting monoclonal antibody, and lenalidomide in addition to R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) compared to R-CHOP alone as a first-line treatment for adults with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of three to five (3-5) for patients >60 years of age, or age-adjusted IPI (aaIPI) of two to three (2-3) for patients ≤60 years of age.

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The trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) by investigator assessment (Hazard Ratio 0.75 [0.59,0.96]; p-value 0.019), according to Lugano 2014 criteria. The trial also met its key secondary endpoint of event-free survival (EFS) by investigator assessment. No new safety signals were observed.

"The frontMIND study results highlight the potential benefit of combining tafasitamab and lenalidomide with R-CHOP as an effective treatment option, offering the possibility of cures for more newly diagnosed DLBCL patients," said Steven Stein, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Incyte. "Despite improvement in treatment for patients with DLBCL, outcomes for many high-risk patients are not optimal. We look forward to working with regulatory authorities globally and to providing a new treatment option for patients in the future."

DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in adults worldwide, representing 40% of all cases.1 It is characterized as an aggressive, fast-growing type of lymphoma that can emerge in lymph nodes or extranodal sites such as the gastrointestinal tract, skin and brain.2 Each year, approximately 24,000 people in the U.S. and up to 36,000 people in Europe are diagnosed with DLBCL.3,4,5,6 With about 40% of these patients not responding to initial therapy or relapsing thereafter7,8, there is a high medical need for new, effective therapies.

Based on these positive results, Incyte expects to file a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for tafasitamab for the first-line treatment of adults with newly diagnosed DLBCL in the first half of 2026. The frontMIND data will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming scientific meeting.

Tafasitamab was approved in combination with lenalidomide by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2020 and 2021 respectively, for adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL not otherwise specified including DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant. Additionally, tafasitamab was approved in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab by the FDA in June 2025 for adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL). In November 2025, the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use issued a positive opinion recommending the approval of tafasitamab for patients with relapsed or refractory FL.

About frontMIND

The frontMIND trial (NCT04824092) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase 3 study in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

The study has enrolled approximately 900 adults (≥18 to ≤80 years) and is evaluating the efficacy and safety of tafasitamab and lenalidomide in addition to R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) compared with R-CHOP alone.

The primary endpoint of the study is investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) using the Lugano 2014 criteria. Key secondary endpoints include event-free survival (EFS) by investigator assessment and overall survival (OS).

For more information about the frontMIND trial, please visit View Source

About Tafasitamab (Monjuvi/Minjuvi)

Tafasitamab (Monjuvi/Minjuvi) is a humanized Fc-modified cytolytic CD19-targeting monoclonal antibody. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb engineered Fc domain, which mediates B-cell lysis through apoptosis and immune effector mechanism including Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis (ADCP). Incyte licenses exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc.

In the U.S., Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL).

Monjuvi is not indicated and is not recommended for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma outside of controlled clinical trials.

Additionally, Monjuvi received accelerated approval in the United States in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

In Europe, Minjuvi (tafasitamab) received conditional Marketing Authorization from the European Medicines Agency in combination with lenalidomide, followed by Minjuvi monotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who are not eligible for ASCT.

XmAb is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.

Monjuvi, Minjuvi, the Minjuvi and Monjuvi logos and the "triangle" design are registered trademarks of Incyte.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What are the possible side effects of MONJUVI?

MONJUVI may cause serious side effects, including:

Infusion reactions. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for infusion reactions during your infusion of MONJUVI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get fever, chills, flushing, headache, or shortness of breath during an infusion of MONJUVI.
Low blood cell counts (platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells). Low blood cell counts are common with MONJUVI, but can also be serious or severe. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood counts during treatment with MONJUVI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or any bruising or bleeding.
Infections. Serious infections, including infections that can cause death, have happened in people during treatment with MONJUVI and after the last dose. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or develop any signs and symptoms of an infection.
The most common side effects of MONJUVI include:

Feeling tired or weak
Diarrhea
Cough
Fever
Swelling of lower legs or hands
Respiratory tract infection
Decreased appetite
These are not all the possible side effects of MONJUVI. Your healthcare provider will give you medicines before each infusion to decrease your chance of infusion reactions. If you do not have any reactions, your healthcare provider may decide that you do not need these medicines with later infusions. Your healthcare provider may need to delay or completely stop treatment with MONJUVI if you have severe side effects.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before you receive MONJUVI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have an active infection or have had one recently.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. MONJUVI may harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with MONJUVI. Do not receive treatment with MONJUVI in combination with lenalidomide if you are pregnant because lenalidomide can cause birth defects and death of your unborn baby.
You should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 3 months after your final dose of MONJUVI.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think that you may be pregnant during treatment with MONJUVI.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MONJUVI passes into your breastmilk. Do not breastfeed during treatment for at least 3 months after your last dose of MONJUVI.
You should also read the lenalidomide Medication Guide for important information about pregnancy, contraception, and blood and sperm donation.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Monjuvi, including Patient Information, for additional Important Safety Information.

(Press release, Incyte, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661735])

Zai Lab to Present at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 5, 2026 Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) reported that members of the Company’s senior management team will participate in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST.

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investor Relations page of Zai Lab’s website at ir.zailaboratory.com/webcasts-presentations, and an archived replay will be available for up to 30 days following the completion of the event.

(Press release, Zai Laboratory, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661734])

Natera Presents Updated Analyses From ALTAIR Clinical Trial at ASCO GI

On January 5, 2026 Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA and precision medicine, reported that new data from the ALTAIR trial will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI), taking place January 8-10, 2026.

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A new analysis will be presented from the randomized, double-blind, phase III ALTAIR clinical trial (NCT04457297). ALTAIR examined treatment on molecular recurrence (TOMR) with Trifluridine/Tipiracil (FTD/TPI) in Signatera-positive patients with stage I-IV colorectal cancer (CRC). This investigator-initiated analysis, based on a post-hoc blinded central radiographic review that resulted in the reclassification of a subset of cases, showed a statistically significant DFS benefit of FTD/TPI vs. placebo in all patients (median DFS 9.23 vs 5.55 months; HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.55-0.98; P=0.0406). Importantly, these findings represent a substantial update from the previously reported overall ALTAIR analysis, which showed a numerical DFS improvement that did not reach statistical significance in the full study population.

In addition to ALTAIR, Natera’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI presentations include a large-scale study on Signatera velocity as a prognostic marker for relapse risk stratification. In the study, CRC patients whose Signatera levels doubled in one month or less experienced ~40% shorter recurrence free survival (RFS) vs patients with slower doubling time. The prognostic association between the rate of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) increase and recurrence risk remained significant for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, as well as those who did not. This data is specific to Natera’s quantification method, which uses mean tumor molecules (MTM) per mL of plasma.

"Natera’s unmatched scale of evidence across tumor types uniquely positions the company to define ctDNA dynamics and translate them into meaningful biological insight and clinical action," said Adham Jurdi, M.D., senior medical director of GI oncology at Natera. "We believe these capabilities, including TOMR approaches, can ultimately support more precise risk stratification and cancer management."

The full list of 14 presentations at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI includes:

January 8, 11:30 AM PT | Abstract # 440
Presenter: Sahar Forootan Sedigh
Tumor-informed ctDNA monitoring during surveillance for early detection of recurrence in patients with stage II/III esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiation

January 8, 11:30 AM PT | Abstract # 843
Presenter: Axel Grothey, M.D.
AI-assisted automated abstraction for enhanced patient insights in gastrointestinal cancers

January 8, 11:30 AM PT | Abstract # 814
Presenter: Gladys Magaly Rodriguez, M.D., MS
Characterization of DPYD variants across ancestries in a large real-world cohort of cancer patients

January 9, 11:30 AM PT | Abstract # 778
Presenter: Elishama Kanu, M.D., MA
Prognostic value of ctDNA monitoring in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma during surveillance

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 163
Presenter: George Q. Zhang, M.D., MPH
Physical activity and molecular residual disease (MRD) in stage III colon cancer: Findings from CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 216
Presenter: Saori Mishima, M.D., Ph.D.
Assessing adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in younger and older molecular residual disease-positive patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 221
Presenter: Naoya Akazawa, M.D.
Prognostic value of presurgical circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels and other clinical factors in colon cancer

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 220
Presenter: Koji Ando
Correlation between the timing of recurrence and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) doubling time in patients (pts) with resected colon cancer

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 153
Presenter: Kozo Kataoka, M.D., Ph.D.
Adjuvant mFOLFOXFIRI after curative-intent resection of oligometastatic colorectal cancer: Phase II FANTASTIC trial

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # TPS268
Presenter: Anwaar Saeed, M.D.
NSABP FC-13 (EMPIRE): A phase II platform study of cemiplimab monotherapy or cemiplimab-based combinations in patients with colorectal cancer and minimal residual disease (MRD) after definitive therapy

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 138
Presenter: Jun Watanabe, M.D., Ph.D.
Post-hoc central radiological review of the ALTAIR study in patients with molecular residual disease (MRD) following curative resection of colorectal cancer (CRC)

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # TPS245
Presenter: Sarah Sawyer, Ph.D.
Design of a hybrid site and decentralized clinical research study of an early detection blood test for colorectal cancer

January 10, 7:00 AM PT | Abstract # 217
Presenter: Yoshiaki Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.
Quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using a methylation-based, tissue-free colorectal cancer (CRC) test for the detection of molecular residual disease (MRD)

January 10, 11:30 AM PT | Abstract # 12 (Oral Presentation)
Presenter: Hideaki Bando, M.D., Ph.D.
Impact of postoperative ctDNA dynamics on eligibility for the ALTAIR randomized trial in patients with colorectal cancer: Implications for clinical trial enrollment

(Press release, Natera, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661733])

Kelun-Biotech Announces Breakthrough Therapy Designation Granted in China for Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (sac-TMT) in Combination with Immunotherapy Pembrolizumab for First-Line Treatment of PD-L1-Positive NSCLC

On January 5, 2026 Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Kelun-Biotech" or the "Company," 6990.HK) reported that its TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, also known as SKB264/MK-2870) (佳泰莱) in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA[1]) was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS)≥1% and are EGFR-negative and ALK-negative.

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BTD is granted for treatment regimens that provide effective treatment or prevention for conditions with no currently available therapy, or that demonstrate significant clinical advantages over currently available treatments. For drugs included in the breakthrough therapy process, if relevant conditions are met, applications for conditional approval and priority review and approval can be submitted when applying for marketing authorization.

Previously, the company announced that results from the Phase III clinical trial of OptiTROP-Lung05, evaluating sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive NSCLC, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). A positive trend was also observed in overall survival (OS). OptiTROP-Lung05 is the first Phase III study of an immunotherapy and ADC combination to meet its primary endpoint in the first-line treatment of NSCLC. Granting of BTD for the first-line treatment of PD-L1-positive NSCLC indication offers pathways to expedite the review and potential approval process of sac-TMT for this indication.

To date, sac-TMT has received five BTDs for:

locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in July 2022;
locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC after progression on EGFR-TKI therapy in January 2023;
locally advanced or metastatic hormone-receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC) in patients who have previously received at least two lines of systemic chemotherapy in June 2023;
first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic PD-L1 negative TNBC in March 2024;
In combination with anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody tagitanlimab for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations in June 2025.
About sac-TMT

Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, BC, gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases the payload KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells.

In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (which includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).

To date, three indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for: EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy; Unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting); EGFR mutant-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy. The first two indications listed above have been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). This inclusion is expected to bring clinical benefits to a greater number of cancer patients.

Sac-TMT is the world’s first TROP2 ADC drug approved for marketing in lung cancer. In addition, the sNDA for sac-TMT for second-line and above treatment of HR+/HER2- BC was accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration, and was included in the priority review and approval process.

As of today, Kelun-Biotech has initiated 9 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD has initiated 15 ongoing Phase 3 global clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or with pembrolizumab or other anti-cancer agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD.

(Press release, Kelun, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661732])

IDEAYA Biosciences Announces Participation at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 5, 2026 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDYA), a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics, reported its participation at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

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44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Monday, January 12th, 2026, at 3:45 PM PT (6:45 PM ET)

Presentation by Yujiro S. Hata, Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences, followed by analyst-hosted Q&A with Anupam Rama, Managing Director, US SMID Biotechnology Equity Research, J.P. Morgan
A live audio webcast of the presentation and Q&A session will be available under the "Investors/Events" section of the IDEAYA website at View Source and/or through the conference host. A replay of the webcast will be accessible for 30 days following the live event.

(Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661731])