On May 31, 2026 GRAIL, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRAL), a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, reported that positive performance and safety results from the analysis of the full 35,878 cohort of its registrational PATHFINDER 2 study are being presented during an oral session at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The PATHFINDER 2 study evaluated the safety and performance of the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test when used alongside standard-of-care cancer screenings in the U.S. and Canada. The prospective PATHFINDER 2 study is the largest interventional study of an MCED in North America to date and includes 35,878 participants in a broad, intended-use population of adults aged 50 and older with no clinical suspicion of cancer.

"Cancer outcomes depend not only on better treatments, but on finding cancer before it advances and spreads. Earlier detection can open the door to more treatment options at any stage and increase the chance for cure," said Josh Ofman, MD, MSHS, President and CEO-Elect at GRAIL. "These PATHFINDER 2 results add to the growing body of clinical evidence in a large, representative intended-use population showing that the Galleri test can meaningfully increase cancer detection beyond recommended screening with strong performance and a highly favorable safety profile. Along with the NHS-Galleri trial results, these findings reinforce the clinical benefit of Galleri and its potential to transform early cancer detection at population scale."

Galleri Increases the Number of Cancers Detected and Can Detect Them Early

While effective screening improves early cancer detection, in the U.S., only 14% of all cancers are detected by guideline-recommended screening tests[2]. In PATHFINDER 2, 60% of diagnosed cancers were screen-detected (264/440). Adding Galleri to recommended screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers (USPSTF A and B recommendations) led to a 6.5 fold increase in the number of cancers found by screening. Galleri detected nearly three times as many cancers when added to standard-of-care screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers (USPSTF A, B, and C recommendations).

More than half (53.0%) of the new cancers detected by Galleri were stage I or II, and 71.3% of these have no USPSTF A and B recommended screening. More than two-thirds (70.9%) of the new cancers detected by Galleri were detected at stages I-III, when treatment with curative intent is more often possible.

"PATHFINDER 2 provides important additional data on the performance and safety of MCED testing," said Karthik Giridhar, M.D., assistant professor of oncology at Mayo Clinic and a principal investigator on the PATHFINDER 2 study. "MCED tests are not a replacement for existing screening, but they have the potential to complement current approaches by helping detect cancer signals across multiple cancer types, including some for which routine screening is not currently available."

Robust Performance Metrics Consistent with Previous Studies

The Galleri test detected a cancer signal in 287 participants, and of those, cancer was diagnosed in 173 participants. The likelihood of receiving a cancer diagnosis following a positive test result (positive predictive value or PPV) was 60.3%, consistent with previously reported initial results of PATHFINDER 2 and higher than the first PATHFINDER study.

Since PATHFINDER 2 is a prospective clinical trial where the cancer status of participants is unknown at the outset, episode sensitivity – the ability to detect cancer that could be confirmed within 12 months after the blood draw – is evaluated in the study. Galleri demonstrated strong performance, with 69.8% episode sensitivity for the 12 cancers responsible for two-thirds of cancer deaths in the U.S. For all cancers, episode sensitivity was 39.3%.

Specificity was 99.6%, translating to a false positive rate of less than 0.4%.

"The up to 6.5 fold improvement in screen-detected cancers with Galleri in PATHFINDER 2 study, coupled with the greater than 20% reduction in Stage 4 cancers observed in the NHS-Galleri trial, is really exciting data that help support Galleri’s performance in a diverse and representative population," said Nima Nabavizadeh, MD, Associate Professor of Radiation Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. "As an oncologist, I have seen too many patients diagnosed only after their cancer has spread, when treatment decisions become more difficult. By helping find more cancers earlier, when more treatment options may be available, there is great potential for multi-cancer early detection to transform cancer screening."

Galleri Pinpoints Cancer Signal Origin Allowing Efficient Diagnostic Workups

A key benefit of the Galleri test is its ability to predict where in the body the cancer signal is coming from. The PATHFINDER 2 study demonstrated that the test correctly identified the Cancer Signal Origin (CSO) 91.3% of the time, leading to efficient diagnostic workups. Diagnostic resolution took a median of 48 days, and only 0.6% of all safety-analyzable participants had an invasive procedure (213/35,335) following a positive MCED test result. A total of 90.5% of invasive procedures were nonsurgical.

Screening with the Galleri test had a favorable safety profile, with a low false-positive rate and a low rate of invasive procedures. There were five study-related adverse events reported during diagnostic evaluation, only in those with cancer diagnosis. Anxiety temporarily increased for participants with a positive MCED test and subsequent cancer diagnosis, and returned to baseline by 12 months, as has been observed for other screening tests. One serious adverse event related to the diagnostic work-up was identified after the data lock. Follow-up is ongoing; this and any other findings after data lock will be reported in full in the next interim analysis.

About PATHFINDER 2 (NCT05155605)
PATHFINDER 2 is a prospective, multi-center, interventional study evaluating the safety and performance of Galleri in approximately 35,000 individuals aged 50 years and older who are eligible for guideline-recommended cancer screening in the United States. The primary objectives of the study are 1) to evaluate the safety and performance of the Galleri MCED test based on the number and type of diagnostic evaluations performed in participants who receive a cancer signal detected test result, and 2) to evaluate the performance of the Galleri MCED test across various measures, including PPV, negative predictive value (NPV), episode sensitivity, specificity, and CSO prediction accuracy. Participants who receive a cancer signal detected result undergo additional diagnostic testing based on the predicted CSO to determine if a cancer is present. Secondary objectives include utilization of guideline-recommended cancer screening procedures after use of the MCED test, and participant reported outcomes over several time points, including an assessment of participants’ anxiety and satisfaction with the MCED test.

(Press release, Grail, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666272])

On May 31, 2026 Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) reported positive overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III HARMONi-6 trial, conducted in China and sponsored by Summit’s partner Akeso, Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK), will be presented today as part of the Plenary Session at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The presentation is entitled "Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus tislelizumab plus chemotherapy in previously untreated advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer: Overall survival results of the phase 3 HARMONi-6 trial." HARMONi-6 is evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared to tislelizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) irrespective of PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-6 is a single region, multi-center, Phase III study conducted in China and sponsored by Akeso, with all relevant data exclusively generated, managed, and analyzed by Akeso. The trial’s primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), and OS is a key secondary endpoint.

The trial results will be presented by Dr. Shun Lu, MD, PhD, Chief of Shanghai Lung Cancer Center at Shanghai Chest Hospital, Professor of Medicine at Shanghai Jiaotong University, and associate editor for the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

In major markets globally, first-line therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC without driver mutations is most commonly a PD-1 inhibitor plus platinum-based chemotherapy. Prior to HARMONi-6, there were no known Phase III clinical trials in advanced NSCLC which have shown a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS when compared to PD-(L)1 inhibitor therapy in combination with chemotherapy in a head-to-head setting. Examples of PD-(L)1 inhibitors include pembrolizumab, nivolumab, tislelizumab, and atezolizumab.

Clinically Meaningful Efficacy

In the HARMONi-6 planned interim analysis of OS, ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement when compared to tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.87; p=0.0017). A clinically meaningful benefit was demonstrated across clinical subgroups, including those with either PD-L1 negative or positive expression. OS rates at 24 months were 64.7% for those patients receiving ivonescimab plus chemotherapy compared to 48.6% for those receiving tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. Median follow-up time of the current data cut was 21.4 months.

HARMONi-6 ITT (n=532):

Median Follow-up: 21.36 mos.

Ivonescimab + Chemo

(n=266)

Tislelizumab + Chemo

(n=266)

Median OS

27.89 mos.

(95% CI: 27.89, NE)

23.69 mos.

(95% CI: 20.11, NE)

24-Month OS Rates

64.7%

48.6%

OS Stratified HR

0.66

(95% CI: 0.50, 0.87; p= 0.0017)

mos.: months; NE: not established

HARMONi-6 PD-L1 Subgroup Analyses

Ivonescimab + Chemo vs. Tislelizumab + Chemo

PD-L1 Negative (PD-L1 TPS <1%) OS stratified HR

Ivonescimab + Chemo n=105; Tislelizumab + Chemo n=105

0.64

(95% CI: 0.43, 0.96)

PD-L1 Positive (PD-L1 TPS >1%) OS stratified HR

Ivonescimab + Chemo n=161; Tislelizumab + Chemo n=161

0.68

(95% CI: 0.46, 0.99)

"For the first time, a Phase III clinical study has demonstrated a statistically significant overall survival benefit in front-line driver-mutation-negative non-small cell lung cancer compared to anti-PD-1 therapy in combination with chemotherapy," said Dr. Maky Zanganeh, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Summit. "While this represents another study where ivonescimab has demonstrated a significant OS benefit, these data represent the answer to the question regarding ivonescimab and its ability to translate PFS benefits into the extension of lives for patients with cancer in the front-line setting compared to immunotherapy-based regimens."

The HARMONi-6 study met its primary endpoint as announced in April 2025, showing a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS. Detailed results for efficacy and safety were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2025 Congress (ESMO 2025) last October and published in The Lancet simultaneously.

Safety Profile

In this analysis, ivonescimab continued to demonstrate an acceptable and manageable safety profile in the HARMONi-6 study, which was consistent with previous Phase III studies of ivonescimab plus chemotherapy. No additional safety signals were noted in the HARMONi-6 study in this current data cut compared to the previous data cut presented.

Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 41.4% of patients receiving ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy and 34.3% of patients receiving tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy. Most of the possibly VEGF-related adverse events occurring in the ivonescimab-plus-chemotherapy arm were classified as Grade 1 or 2; Grade 3 or higher hemorrhage events were observed in 2.6% of patients in the ivonescimab-plus-chemotherapy arm compared to 0.8% of patients in the tislelizumab-plus-chemotherapy arm in this study. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) leading to discontinuation in this study occurred in 5.3% of patients receiving ivonescimab plus chemotherapy compared to 4.5% for those receiving tislelizumab plus chemotherapy.

In squamous NSCLC, VEGF-A monoclonal antibodies have had limited clinical development based on historical data demonstrating significant risks of toxicity, including life-threatening hemorrhage and other bleeding complications. The results of this study further validate the unique mechanism of action of ivonescimab, including apparent key differences as compared to historical clinical studies where an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody and an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody were administered separately.

HARMONi-6 Clinical Trial Results Published in The Lancet

The Lancet simultaneously published these findings in a manuscript titled, "Ivonescimab plus Chemotherapy for Squamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer."

"A heartfelt congratulations to our partner, Akeso, for their continuing, tremendous efforts to make a significant difference in the lives of patients with cancer," said Robert W. Duggan, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Summit. "The decision we made in December 2022 to enter into a partnership specifically with Akeso and accelerate the global clinical development plan of this potentially landscape-changing compound in ivonescimab is further validated with these groundbreaking results for patients facing high unmet medical needs. We look forward to continuing this positive momentum."

Conference Call

Summit will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss recent updates related to ivonescimab, including data released at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. ET. Conference call and webcast information is accessible through the company’s website, www.smmttx.com. An archived edition of the webcast will be available on the website later in the day on Monday.

About Ivonescimab
Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, and as AK112 outside of Summit’s license territories, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. By design, ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity to PD-1 when in the presence of VEGF.

This is intended to differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Summit believes ivonescimab’s specifically engineered tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the TME (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days after the first dose (Zhong, et al, iScience, 2025) increasing to approximately 10 days at steady state dosing, is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, side effects, and safety profiles associated with prior approved drugs to these targets.

Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently utilized in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Over 4,000 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally, and over 70,000 patients when considering those treated in a commercial setting in China, as noted by Akeso.

There are currently 15 Phase III clinical studies that are either announced, ongoing, or have been completed studying ivonescimab, four of which are Summit-sponsored global studies, one of which is a multiregional study sponsored by a cooperative group, and 10 of which are being or have been conducted in China by Akeso. Summit began its clinical development of ivonescimab in NSCLC, commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multiregional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3. In 2025, Summit began enrolling patients in HARMONi-7. Summit expanded its Phase III clinical development program into CRC in the fourth quarter of 2025 by initiating enrollment in HARMONi-GI3.

HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial is evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a third-generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib). Detailed results of the study were provided in September 2025, and a Biologics License Application (BLA) was submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing authorization, which the FDA accepted for filing in January 2026; the goal Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is November 14, 2026.

HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic, squamous or non-squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression. The clinical trial is evaluating the two histologies as individual, separately powered cohorts with independent statistical powering.

HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-GI3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with first-line unresectable metastatic CRC.

ILLUMINE is a Phase III study being conducted by GORTEC, a cooperative group dedicated to Head and Neck Oncology, in recurrent / metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC). ILLUMINE is a three-arm Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy, as well as ivonescimab in combination with ligufalimab, Akeso’s proprietary anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, compared to monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1 positive r/m HNSCC.

In addition, Akeso has recently had positive read-outs in three single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi-A, HARMONi-2, and HARMONi-6, for ivonescimab in NSCLC, including a statistically significant overall survival benefit in both the HARMONi-A and HARMONi-6 studies, and a manageable safety profile in each study.

HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI.

HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-6 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

Akeso is actively conducting multiple Phase III clinical studies in settings outside of NSCLC, including biliary-tract cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was initially approved for marketing authorization in China in May 2024.

(Press release, Summit Therapeutics, MAY 31, 2026, View Source [SID1234666258])

On May 30, 2026 BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") and Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY, "BMS") reported interim Phase 2 data from the global Phase 2/3 ROSETTA Lung-02 clinical trial (NCT06712316) evaluating the investigational PD-L1xVEGF-A bispecific immunomodulator pumitamig (also known as BNT327 or BMS-986545) plus chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC").

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The data showed encouraging anti-tumor activity, with high response rates observed in both non-squamous and squamous NSCLC and at each PD-L1 expression level (TPS ˂ 1%, TPS 1 – 49%, and TPS ≥ 50%). The data are being presented today as a rapid oral presentation (abstract #8513) at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ("ASCO") Annual Meeting in Chicago.

"Despite significant immuno-oncology advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, most advanced diseases relapse on or after a PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitor treatment,1 indicating that targeting this immunologic pathway alone is insufficient to achieve durable responses," said Solange Peters, M.D., Ph.D., Lead Investigator and Director of Oncology at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. "I am encouraged by the efficacy signal with this bispecific approach, showing robust responses across subtypes and PD-L1 levels, supporting the continued investigation of pumitamig and its potential to deliver improved outcomes for a broad range of patients with NSCLC."

The Phase 2 part of the ROSETTA Lung-02 trial evaluated pumitamig in two dose levels, in combination with chemotherapy. At this interim analysis at the April 13, 2026 data cut-off, among 40 response-evaluable patients with a median follow-up of 9.0 months, pumitamig plus chemotherapy showed a confirmed objective response rate ("cORR") of 57.1% in patients with non-squamous NSCLC and 68.4% with squamous NSCLC with a disease control rate ("DCR") of 100%. Encouraging anti-tumor activity was observed at both dose levels, with higher response rates at the lower dose showing a cORR of 63.6% for non-squamous and 72.7% for squamous NSCLC. Results were high at each PD-L1 expression level (cORR: 47.6% TPS ˂ 1%; 77.8% TPS 1 – 49 %; 100% TPS ≥ 50%).

Pumitamig plus chemotherapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile with a low discontinuation rate. Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events ("TRAEs") were reported in 48.8% of patients and were considered pumitamig-related in 23.3%, leading to treatment discontinuation in four (9.3%) patients. Immune-related AEs ("irAEs") occurred in 16 (37.2%) patients and grade ≥ 3 irAEs in two (4.7%) patients. Bleeding events were reported in nine (20.9%) patients, with only one event being grade 3.

"The data we are presenting today provide further evidence of the potential of pumitamig to enhance anti-tumor responses in advanced lung cancer, one of the most challenging indications, by simultaneously targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A with a single molecule," said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at BioNTech. "Pumitamig has consistently shown efficacy in three global Phase 2 trials across PD-L1 expression levels. Together with our partner BMS, we are continuing to advance pumitamig in ongoing pivotal and novel-novel combination trials with the goal of delivering better outcomes for more patients."

"We are committed to advancing the science of lung cancer with pumitamig and improving on the standard of care for people with this challenging disease," said Anne Kerber, Senior Vice President, Head of Development, Hematology, Oncology, Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb. "With one of the broadest registrational programs in the class, we are focused on accelerating the development of pumitamig together with BioNTech, with the goal of delivering meaningful benefit to patients, including those who have been left behind by current therapies."

BioNTech and BMS are advancing a broad development plan for pumitamig in non-small cell lung cancer across disease stages and subgroups. In addition to the ongoing global ROSETTA Lung-02 trial, which is currently recruiting for the Phase 3 part of the trial, there are two additional global Phase 3 clinical trials in NSCLC currently enrolling. These include ROSETTA Lung-201 (NCT07361497), evaluating pumitamig compared to durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiation therapy in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC; and ROSETTA Lung-202 (NCT07361510), evaluating pumitamig compared to pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced PD-L1 ≥ 50% NSCLC. Pumitamig is also being investigated in combination with other novel investigative treatments for NSCLC, including in combination with investigational antibody-drug conjugates ("ADCs") and other modalities.

About ROSETTA Lung-02
The global Phase 2/3 ROSETTA Lung-02 trial (NCT06712316) is evaluating pumitamig (BNT327/ BMS986545) in combination with chemotherapy in patients with first-line treatment of non-squamous and squamous non-small cell lung cancer without actionable genomic alterations and with any level of PD-L1 expression. In the Phase 2 dose-optimization part of the trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to 1400 mg or 2000 mg pumitamig plus histology-specific chemotherapy Q3W (non-squamous: carboplatin + pemetrexed; squamous: carboplatin + paclitaxel). The primary endpoints of the Phase 2 part of the trial are objective response rate (ORR) per investigator’s assessment (RECIST 1.1), best percentage change in tumor size from baseline, and safety. Key secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR) and disease control rate (DCR). The Phase 3 part of the trial will evaluate pumitamig plus chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy. Based on the totality of the data, a pumitamig 1500 mg flat dose Q3W plus chemotherapy was selected for further evaluation in the Phase 3 part. The primary endpoint of the Phase 3 part of the trial is progression free survival (PFS) assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). Key secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), ORR, DOR.

About Pumitamig
Pumitamig is an investigational bispecific immunomodulator, jointly developed by BioNTech and BMS, designed to cooperatively bind to PD-L1 and VEGF-A. It is aimed at restoring the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells while simultaneously cutting off the blood and oxygen supply that feeds tumor cells (anti-angiogenesis effect), preventing them from growing and proliferating. By anchoring to PD-L1 receptors on tumor cells, we believe pumitamig localizes VEGF-A blockade within the tumor microenvironment, potentially enhancing antitumor activity while minimizing systemic exposure.

More than 2,000 patients have been treated with pumitamig in clinical trials to date. Seven global Phase 3 trials with registrational potential are currently ongoing, evaluating pumitamig plus chemotherapy compared to standard of care treatments, in first-line small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA LUNG-01, NCT06712355); first-line non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA LUNG-02, NCT06712316); unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-201, NCT07361497); first-line advanced PD-L1 ≥ 50% non-small cell lung cancer (ROSETTA Lung-202, NCT07361510); first-line triple-negative breast cancer (ROSETTA BREAST-01, NCT07173751); first-line microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (ROSETTA CRC-203, NCT07221357); and first-line gastric cancer (ROSETTA GASTRIC-204, NCT07221149). Pumitamig is also being explored in 10+ novel-novel combination trials with ADCs and other novel modalities, with the aim of expanding its role across tumor types and identifying additional pivotal opportunities.

About NSCLC
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) covers all epithelial lung cancers other than small cell lung cancer and includes squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. It is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of cases, and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.2 Scientific advances have transformed the treatment of NSCLC, improving outcomes for many patients. However, NSCLC remains an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis and a 5-year survival rate of 18 to 22% in advanced stages.3 Patients with low levels of PD-L1 expression typically do not respond well to checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens creating a significant unmet need for new treatment options that provide durable responses to a broad range of patients.

(Press release, BioNTech, MAY 30, 2026, View Source [SID1234666242])

On May 30, 2026 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported detailed clinical data from the primary analysis of the PEAK Phase 3 trial of bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib in patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) who have received prior treatment with imatinib.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The presentation titled Primary Results of the Phase 3 Peak Study of Bezuclastinib + Sunitinib vs Sunitinib Monotherapy in Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) ​will be presented by Andrew Wagner, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Physician, Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting and will be available on the Cogent website at View Source

"We are thrilled with the results from the PEAK Phase 3 trial demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival and objective response rate with bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib compared to sunitinib alone," said Andrew Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogent Biosciences. "Importantly, there was a clear benefit across all mutational patient subgroups, coupled with a safety profile generally consistent with the known profile of single agent sunitinib. Building on our announcement that the bezuclastinib combination was granted FDA Priority Review earlier this week, we plan to launch bezuclastinib later this year and are well prepared to ensure bezuclastinib combination access for GIST patients in need."

"The results presented today clearly demonstrate that the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib provides impressive clinical activity for patients with KIT-driven gastrointestinal stromal tumors," said Andrew Wagner, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Physician, Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. "I am very excited about the potential for this combination and expect it will be rapidly adopted as the new standard of care for patients with second-line GIST."

PEAK Phase 3 Trial Results

As reported in November 2025, PEAK is a global, randomized Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating bezuclastinib in combination with sunitinib vs. sunitinib monotherapy in patients with imatinib-resistant or intolerant GIST. As of the cutoff date, September 30, 2025, the bezuclastinib combination demonstrated a substantial and highly statistically significant clinical benefit on the primary endpoint of PFS, reducing risk of disease progression or death compared to the current standard of care by 50% (hazard ratio of 0.50, 95% CI: 0.39 – 0.65). mPFS, as assessed by blinded independent central review, was 16.5 months for the bezuclastinib combination vs. 9.2 months for sunitinib monotherapy. Additionally, the bezuclastinib combination demonstrated an unprecedented ORR in imatinib-resistant patients, with 46% of patients treated with the bezuclastinib combination achieving an objective response compared to 26% of patients treated with sunitinib. Data for overall survival remains immature.

Based on the ongoing patients receiving treatment on the bezuclastinib arm as of March 31, 2026, the mean duration of treatment for the bezuclastinib combination is now estimated to be 21.4 months.

Results of Genotype Subgroup Analysis

Using all genotyping information available at baseline, a comparative analysis of PFS was performed across several patient subgroups based on their primary and secondary KIT mutation status. Across all subgroups, the bezuclastinib combination demonstrated a clear advantage over sunitinib monotherapy.

Cogent_Genotype Subgroup

PFS2 Results

Additional data presented today demonstrate impressive benefit for patients receiving the bezuclastinib combination when measuring PFS2, defined as the time from randomization to progression on the next line of therapy or death. Median PFS2 was not reached versus 21 months (HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.41-0.78) for patients initially treated with the bezuclastinib combination compared with sunitinib monotherapy. This finding reinforces the durability of clinical benefit for patients receiving the bezuclastinib combination.

Safety Data

As of the data cutoff, the bezuclastinib combination was generally well tolerated, and no unique risks were observed with the novel combination when compared to the known safety profile of sunitinib. The most commonly reported Grade 3+ treatment emergent adverse events in either arm (bezuclastinib combination vs. sunitinib) included: Hypertension (29.4% vs. 27.4%), Neutropenia (15.2% vs. 15.4%), ALT/AST increased (10.8% vs. 1.4%), Anemia (9.3% vs. 4.8%) and Diarrhea (7.8% vs. 7.2%). 7.4% of patients on the bezuclastinib combination and 3.8% of patients on sunitinib monotherapy discontinued study treatment(s) due to treatment related adverse events. Hepatic adverse events were predominantly transient and manageable lab abnormalities; the majority of which were asymptomatic, low grade, non-serious and reversible. In the combination arm, ALT/AST elevations led to bezuclastinib dose reductions in 12.7% of patients with only 3 subjects (1.5%) discontinuing bezuclastinib for ALT/AST elevations. All Grade 3 ALT/AST elevations resolved, and no Grade 4 elevations were reported.

Bezuclastinib Combination in Exon 9 First Line GIST Patients

Cogent also announced today the initiation of a single-arm, 40 patient extension cohort of the PEAK trial investigating the safety and efficacy of the bezuclastinib combination in first-line GIST patients with KIT exon 9 primary mutations who have received limited or no imatinib treatment. This cohort is designed to prospectively measure ORR and PFS in this patient population, building upon the 25.1 mPFS reported in a subgroup of 32 patients with detectable exon 9 mutations treated with the bezuclastinib combination in the Phase 3 PEAK trial.

Bezuclastinib – Expanded Access Program

Working with the FDA, Cogent has established active Expanded Access Programs (EAPs) for U.S. patients with GIST or SM who meet disease-specific criteria and could benefit from treatment with bezuclastinib or the combination of bezuclastinib and sunitinib. For more information please visit: View Source

(Press release, Cogent Biosciences, MAY 30, 2026, View Source [SID1234666243])

On May 30, 2026 Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) reported results from a subgroup analysis of the phase 3 CABINET pivotal trial, which showed that CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) provided significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in patients with previously treated advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) regardless of functional status. These data will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held from May 29 – June 2 in Chicago.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Understanding the effects of oral pathway inhibitors in patients with both functional and non-functional NET is critical in informing appropriate treatment-sequencing decisions," said Nikolaos A. Trikalinos, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center. "Patients with hormone-producing tumors may require approaches that not only control tumor growth but also help mitigate challenging hormone-related symptoms. It is encouraging that our results reinforce cabozantinib as a meaningful treatment option for patients with advanced NET regardless of functional status. In both non-functional and functional NET, cabozantinib delivered substantial improvements in disease control compared to placebo, with median progression-free survival increasing threefold in non-functional NET and more than doubling in functional NET compared to placebo."

In the phase 3 CABINET study, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic NET (pNET) or extra-pancreatic NET (epNET) were randomized 2:1 in separate cohorts to receive CABOMETYX 60 mg daily versus placebo. Of the 298 patients enrolled in both cohorts, 179 had non-functional NET (cabozantinib, n=123; placebo, n=56), 74 had functional (i.e., hormone-releasing) NET (cabozantinib, n=47; placebo, n=27); and 45 had unknown functional status (cabozantinib, n=28; placebo, n=17).

These subgroup results presented today at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 show cabozantinib demonstrated improvements in PFS regardless of functional status. In patients with non-functional NET, the hazard ratio (HR) was 0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.41; p<0.001); median PFS was 9.4 months with cabozantinib (95% CI: 8.5–13.8) versus 3.1 months with placebo (95% CI: 2.9–5.7). In patients with functional NET, the HR was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.20–0.82; p=0.012); median PFS was 12.7 months (95% CI: 8.4–17.9) with cabozantinib versus 5.4 months with placebo (95% CI: 3.7–not estimable).

"Following last year’s U.S. and EU approvals of CABOMETYX for the treatment of previously treated advanced NET, these subgroup findings from the CABINET trial reinforce its ability to delay disease progression for a broad and heterogenous population of these patients," said Dana T. Aftab, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research & Development, Exelixis. "CABOMETYX is now the leading oral therapy for previously treated advanced NET, helping to address a significant unmet need for patients who have limited options. We are committed to further improving standards of care for this disease and look forward to learning about the potential of zanzalintinib, our investigational oral kinase inhibitor, to improve outcomes in an early line of treatment compared to everolimus in our ongoing STELLAR-311 pivotal trial."

The safety profile of CABOMETYX observed in patients with functional and non-functional NET was consistent with its known safety profile; no new safety signals were identified. The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events with cabozantinib in patients with functional NET were hypertension (21%) and diarrhea (9%); in non-functional NET, they were hypertension (21%) and fatigue (18%).

About CABINET (Alliance A021602)

CABINET (Randomized, Double-Blinded, Phase III Study of CABozantinib versus Placebo In Patients with Advanced NEuroendocrine Tumors After Progression on Prior Therapy) is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and is being led and conducted by the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology with participation from the NCI-funded National Clinical Trials Network, as part of Exelixis’ collaboration through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.

CABINET is a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that enrolled a total of 298 patients in two separate cohorts (pNET and epNET) in the U.S. at the time of the final analysis. Patients were randomized 2:1 to cabozantinib (60 mg) or placebo; each cohort was randomized separately and had its own statistical analysis plan. The trial was stopped early after an interim analysis showed superior efficacy associated with cabozantinib as compared to placebo in each of the two cohorts. Patients with epNET had primary tumors arising in the GI tract, lung, unknown primary sites and other organs. Patients must have had measurable disease per RECIST 1.1 criteria and must have experienced disease progression or intolerance after at least one U.S. FDA-approved line of prior systemic therapy other than somatostatin analogs. The primary endpoint in each cohort was PFS per RECIST 1.1 by blinded independent central review. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate and safety. More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.

About NET

NET are cancers that begin in the specialized cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system.1 These cells have traits of both hormone-producing endocrine cells and nerve cells.2 It is estimated that 161,000 to 192,000 people in the U.S. are living with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NET.2 The number of people diagnosed with NET has been increasing in recent decades.3 Functional NET release peptide hormones that can cause debilitating symptoms, like diarrhea, hypertension and flushing, while symptoms of non-functional NET are related primarily to tumor growth.4,5,6,7,8 Most NET take years to develop and grow slowly, but eventually all patients with advanced or metastatic NET will develop refractory and progressing disease.9,10

NET can start in the pancreas (pNET), where they tend to be more aggressive, with a five-year survival rate of only 19% for advanced disease.2,11 NET can also develop in any part of the body, but most commonly start in the GI tract or in the lungs, where they have historically been referred to as carcinoid tumors and are more recently called epNET.2 The five-year survival rate for advanced GI NET is 68%.12 For advanced NET patients, treatment options include somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy and peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy.13

About CABOMETYX (cabozantinib)

In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and in combination with nivolumab as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced RCC; for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible; for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated pNET; and adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated epNET. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in over 65 countries outside the U.S. and Japan, including the EU. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen Pharma SAS exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage: CABOMETYX can cause severe and fatal hemorrhages. The incidence of Grade 3-5 hemorrhagic events was 5% in CABOMETYX patients in RCC, HCC, and DTC studies. Discontinue CABOMETYX for Grade 3-4 hemorrhage and before surgery. Do not administer to patients who have a recent history of hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, hematemesis, or melena.

Perforations and Fistulas: Fistulas, including fatal cases, and gastrointestinal (GI) perforations, including fatal cases, each occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor for signs and symptoms, and discontinue CABOMETYX in patients with Grade 4 fistulas or GI perforation.

Thromboembolic Events: CABOMETYX can cause arterial or venous thromboembolic events. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 7% (including 4% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism in 2% of CABOMETYX patients. Fatal thrombotic events have occurred. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or serious arterial or venous thromboembolic events.

Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX can cause hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. Hypertension was reported in 37% (16% Grade 3 and <1% Grade 4) of CABOMETYX patients. In CABINET (n=195), hypertension occurred in 65% (26% Grade 3) of CABOMETYX patients. Do not initiate CABOMETYX in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Monitor blood pressure regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled; when controlled, resume at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with antihypertensive therapy or for hypertensive crisis.

Cardiac Failure: CABOMETYX can cause severe and fatal cardiac failure. Cardiac failure occurred in 0.5% of patients treated with CABOMETYX as a single agent, including fatal cardiac failure in 0.1% of patients. Consider baseline and periodic evaluations of left ventricular ejection fraction. Monitor for signs and symptoms of cardiovascular events. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on the severity.

Diarrhea: CABOMETYX can cause diarrhea and it occurred in 62% (10% Grade 3) of treated patients. Monitor and manage patients using antidiarrheals as indicated. Withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to ≤ Grade 1; resume at a reduced dose.

Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): CABOMETYX can cause PPE and it occurred in 45% of treated patients (13% Grade 3). Withhold CABOMETYX until PPE resolves or decreases to Grade 1 and resume at a reduced dose for intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE.

Hepatotoxicity: CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab in RCC can cause hepatic toxicity with higher frequencies of Grades 3 and 4 ALT and AST elevations compared to CABOMETYX alone. With the combination of CABOMETYX and nivolumab, Grades 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST were seen in 11% of patients. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of treatment and periodically. Consider more frequent monitoring as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. Consider withholding CABOMETYX and/or nivolumab, initiating corticosteroid therapy, and/or permanently discontinuing the combination for severe or life-threatening hepatotoxicity.

Adrenal Insufficiency: CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 4.7% (15/320) of patients with RCC who received CABOMETYX with nivolumab, including Grade 3 (2.2%), and Grade 2 (1.9%) adverse reactions. Withhold CABOMETYX and/or nivolumab and resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose depending on severity.

Proteinuria: Proteinuria was observed in 8% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor urine protein regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 proteinuria, withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to ≤ Grade 1 proteinuria; resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): CABOMETYX can cause ONJ and it occurred in <1% of treated patients. Perform an oral examination prior to CABOMETYX initiation and periodically during treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures. Withhold CABOMETYX for development of ONJ until complete resolution; resume at a reduced dose.

Impaired Wound Healing: CABOMETYX can cause impaired wound healing. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of CABOMETYX after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): CABOMETYX can cause RPLS. Perform evaluation for RPLS and diagnose by characteristic finding on MRI any patient presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.

Thyroid Dysfunction: CABOMETYX can cause thyroid dysfunction, primarily hypothyroidism, and it occurred in 19% of treated patients (0.4% Grade 3). Assess for signs of thyroid dysfunction prior to the initiation of CABOMETYX and monitor for signs and symptoms during treatment.

Hypocalcemia: CABOMETYX can cause hypocalcemia, with the highest incidence in DTC patients. Based on the safety population, hypocalcemia occurred in 13% of CABOMETYX patients (2% Grade 3 and 1% Grade 4).

Monitor blood calcium levels and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue CABOMETYX depending on severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CABOMETYX can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with CABOMETYX and for 4 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions are:

CABOMETYX as a single agent: diarrhea, fatigue, PPE, decreased appetite, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, weight decreased, and constipation.

CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab: diarrhea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, PPE, stomatitis, rash, hypertension, hypothyroidism, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, dysgeusia, abdominal pain, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers: If coadministration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid St. John’s wort.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the final dose.

Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid CABOMETYX in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Pediatric Use: Physeal widening has been observed in children with open growth plates when treated with CABOMETYX. Physeal and longitudinal growth monitoring is recommended in children (12 years and older) with open growth plates. Consider interrupting or discontinuing CABOMETYX if abnormalities occur. The safety and effectiveness of CABOMETYX in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age have not been established.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information View Source

(Press release, Exelixis, MAY 30, 2026, View Source [SID1234666245])