On June 1, 2025 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported that the clinical data of IBI363 (first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein) monotherapy and combo-therapy with bevacizumab in advanced colorectal cancer were orally presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Innovent Biologics, JUN 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234653564]). IBI363 demonstrated encouraging response and overall survival benefit in the context of colorectal cancer, which is typically considered an immunologically ‘cold’ tumor, supports its unique mechanism of actions (MoA) of turning "cold tumor" into "hot tumor".

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Innovent Biologics is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States, and Australia to explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 for multiple tumor indications, including immune resistance, cold tumors, and front-line treatments. At this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, IBI363 reported encouraging Phase 1/2 clinical data in the first three indications explored—non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and melanoma—focusing on IO-resistant and cold tumors. The data comprehensively demonstrated the breakthrough clinical outcomes of IBI363 across these indications, from robust tumor response to long-term survival benefits. These findings provide strong support of the drug’s novel mechanism of action translating effectively into clinical outcomes, and imply its potential for broader clinical development, offering new hope in areas of immunotherapy where treatment options remain limited.

PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein IBI363 monotherapy and combined with bevacizumab in participants with advanced colorectal cancer: results from Phase 1 studies

Two Phase 1 studies (NCT05460767, NCT06717880) were conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of IBI363 monotherapy and combined with bevacizumab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

IBI363 monotherapy has demonstrated breakthrough antitumor therapeutic potential, showing a significant extension of overall survival compared to data of standard-of-care therapies

As of the data cutoff date (Apr 7th, 2025), a total of 68 participants with advanced colorectal cancer received IBI363 monotherapy at the dose levels from 0.1 mg/kg to 3mg/kg. No patients were confirmed as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or deficient mismatch repair (dMMR). 86.8% of patients were microsatellite stable (MSS) or proficient mismatch repair (pMMR). 61.8% of patients had liver metastases. 63.2% of patients had previously received 3 or more lines of systemic anti-tumor treatments. 23.9% of patients had received prior immunotherapy.
Notably, among patients receiving monotherapy with IBI363 (n=68), with a median follow-up time of 20.1 months, the median overall survival (OS) reached 16.1 months, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the historical data of standard treatments (ranging from 6.4 to 9.3 months1-3).
Subgroup analyses revealed that patients with or without liver metastasis both showed excellent overall survival (OS), indicating significant clinical benefit. The median OS were 14.4 months (with liver metastasis) and 17.0 months (without liver metastasis).
Among patients treated with monotherapy of IBI363 1 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) (n=22), the confirmed objective response rate (cORR) was 13.6%.

Liver metastasis
(n = 42)

without liver metastasis
(n = 26)

Total

(n = 68)

Median OS, month (95% CI)

14.4 (8.0, 18.8)

17.0 (9.9, NC)

16.1 (10.1, 18.8)

6-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

81.3 (64.6, 90.6)

80.0 (58.4, 91.1)

80.7 (68.5, 88.6)

12-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

54.8 (36.9, 69.5)

59.5 (37.8, 75.8)

56.6 (43.0, 68.1)

18-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

37.6 (21.3, 53.9)

44.8 (24.0, 63.6)

40.3 (27.2, 53.0)

OS median follow-up time, month (95% CI)

20.2 (17.9, 20.7)

20.1 (16.8, 21.7)

20.1 (17.7, 20.6)

The combination of IBI363 and bevacizumab demonstrated encouraging efficacy signals and a manageable safety profile, with excellent data on objective response rate and progression-free survival

As of the data cutoff date (Apr 7th, 2025), a total of 73 patients with advanced colorectal cancer received IBI363 （dose levels from 0.6 mg/kg to 3mg/kg） and bevacizumab combination therapy. No patients were confirmed as MSI-H or dMMR. 91.8% of patients were MSS or pMMR. 56.2% of patients had liver metastases. 54.8% of patients had previously received 3 or more lines of systemic anti-tumor treatments. 16.4% of patients had received prior immunotherapy.
In all participants treated with IBI363 in combination with bevacizumab (n=73), the cORR was 15.1% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 61.6%. With a median follow-up time of 9.9 months, the median progression free survival (PFS) reached 4.7 months. With a median follow-up time of 9.4 months, OS was not mature, with events in only 13 participants (17.8%).
As for the combination therapy in patients without liver metastases (n=32), the confirmed ORR was 31.3%, with a DCR of 81.3%. The median PFS reached to 7.4 months.
In those participants who received IBI363 at 3 mg/kg Q3W plus bevacizumab (n=31), confirmed ORR and DCR increased to 19.4% and 71.0%, respectively. The median PFS increased to 5.6 months.

IBI363 3 mg/kg Q3W +Bevacizumab

(n = 31)

Without liver metastasis
(n = 32）

Total

(n = 73)

Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI)

19.4 (7.5, 37.5)

31.3 (16.1, 50.0)

15.1 (7.8, 25.4)

DCR, % (95% CI)

71.0 (52.0, 85.8)

81.3 (63.6, 92.8)

61.6 (49.5, 72.8)

Median PFS, month (95% CI)

5.6 (2.5,6.8)

7.4 (4.1, 9.8)

4.7 (2.5,6.7)

PFS median follow-up time, month (95% CI)

8.6 (7.2, 10.2)

9.9 (7.2, 13.1)

9.9 (7.2, 13.9)

In terms of safety, among participants receiving monotherapy and combination therapy, 19 (27.9%) and 26 (35.6%) reported treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of Grade 3 or higher, respectively. The most common TRAEs were arthralgia, anemia, rash, and hypothyroidism. No new safety signals were observed, with a manageable risk-benefit profile in IBI363 alone or in combination with bevacizumab.
Tumor immune cell infiltration analysis supports the IBI363 MOA of turning "cold tumor" into "hot tumor", demonstrating enrichment of PD1+CD25+CD8+ cells in baseline tumor tissue association with clinical efficacy

In baseline tumor tissues, elevated infiltration of CD8+ cells, CD25+CD8+ cells, and PD1+CD25+CD8+ cells were associated with improved clinical response to IBI363 monotherapy (partial response or stable disease). This supports the potential anti-tumor effects of IBI363 in the treatment of colorectal cancer from the perspective of its mechanism of action.
Professor Tao Zhang, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, stated: "Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type globally and ranks fourth in cancer-related mortality4. About 86% of colorectal cancer are in an immune ‘desert’ or immune-inflamed suppressed state, rendering traditional immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) ineffective5. For colorectal cancer that has failed standard treatments, there are limited therapeutic options with short survival periods, representing a significant unmet clinical need6. IBI363, as a PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific fusion protein, has demonstrated robust antitumor efficacy in preclinical studies through the effective expansion of tumor-specific CD8⁺ T cells (TST cells). Its ability to block PD-1 and stimulate TST cells holds the potential to transform ‘cold’ tumors into ‘hot’ tumors. As a monotherapy, IBI363 achieves a median survival of 16.1 months in later-line treatments, which represents a significant improvement compared to the median survival of current standard therapies and also confirms its potential with a strong ‘tail effect’ as a PD1 plus cytokine bispecific immunotherapy. The combination of IBI363 with bevacizumab is still under continuous follow-up, having shown promising efficacy and tolerable safety, with unique efficacy characteristics particularly in the subgroup without liver metastasis. Overall, clinical data suggest that IBI363 combined with bevacizumab holds significant promise for colorectal cancer and warrants further exploration."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "On top of the preliminary data reported at 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and 2024 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), we are presenting more updated follow-up data and combination therapy results of IBI363 at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Congress this year. From a comprehensive body of clinical evidence that includes ORR, PFS, OS, IBI363 demonstrated robust antitumor activity of both monotherapy and combination therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who are non-MSI-H/dMMR. We are eyeing on long-term survival data from high dose in longer follow-up period. And the pivotal study of IBI363 targeting advanced CRC is in plan. Observing such results in the context of colorectal cancer, which is typically considered an immunologically ‘cold’ tumor, further highlights the broad development potential of IBI363. It offers hope for expanding into areas where immunotherapy has been less effective or even unresponsive."

About IBI363 (First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein)

IBI363 is a first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein independently developed by Innovent Biologics. It functions by both blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activating the IL-2 pathway. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 is designed to maintain its affinity for IL-2Rα while reducing binding to IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγ, thereby minimizing toxicity. The PD-1 binding arm not only blocks PD-1 but also selectively delivers IL-2. This approach targets and activates tumor-specific T cells that express both PD-1 and IL-2α, leading to more precise and effective activation of this T cell subpopulation. IBI363 has demonstrated robust antitumor activity in various tumor-bearing pharmacological models, but also showed outstanding efficacy in PD-1 resistance and metastasis models.

In response to urgent clinical needs, Innovent is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States and Australia to further explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 in various tumor indications, including immune-resistant, cold tumors, and front-line treatments. The first pivotal trial of IBI363 was initiated in 2025 for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic mucosal or acral melanoma who have not received prior systemic therapy.

IBI363 has received two fast track designations (FTD) from the U.S. FDA and two breakthrough designations (BTD) from the China NMPA, for the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, respectively.

On June 1, 2025 Innovent Biologics, Inc (Suzhou) (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported the data from Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies of IBI363, first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein, for the treatment of "immune cold tumor" —immunotherapy-pretreated melanoma (acral and mucosal subtypes) were orally presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. IBI363 has shown breakthrough efficacy in patients with heavily-treated melanoma subtypes – which are traditionally treatment-resistant "cold" tumors, and a pivotal registration trial for IBI363 is currently ongoing (Press release, Innovent Biologics, JUN 1, 2025, View Source;bias-bispecific-antibody-fusion-protein-from-phase-1-and-2-clinical-studies-on-immunotherapy-treated-advanced-malignant–302470081.html [SID1234653565]).

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Innovent Biologics is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States, and Australia to explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 for multiple tumor indications, including immune resistance, cold tumors, and front-line treatments. At this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, IBI363 reported encouraging Phase 1/2 clinical data in the first three indications explored—non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and melanoma—focusing on IO-resistant and cold tumors. The data comprehensively demonstrated the breakthrough clinical outcomes of IBI363 across these indications, from robust tumor response to long-term survival benefits. These findings provide strong support of the drug’s novel mechanism of action translating effectively into clinical outcomes, and imply its potential for broader clinical development, offering new hope in areas of immunotherapy where treatment options remain limited.

A Phase 1/2 clinical study of PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein (IBI363) in the treatment of advanced "cold" tumor subtypes (acral and mucosal) malignant melanoma

The data presented at this ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting are from two multi-center Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies (registration no.: NCT05460767, NCT06081920) designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IBI363 monotherapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma. As of April 7, 2025, a total of 31 patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic acral and mucosal melanoma who had previously received immunotherapy were enrolled and treated at the dosage of 1 mg/kg Q2W, and 64.5% of them had ≥2 lines of prior treatment.

Breakthrough efficacy of IBI363 monotherapy has been achieved in patients with "immune-cold" melanoma, with notable durable response and prolonged survival benefit:

In patients with at least one post-baseline tumor assessment (n=30), the confirmed objective response rate (cORR) was 23.3%, including 25.0% for mucosal type and 20.0% for acral type. The disease control rate (DCR) reached 76.7%, with 85.0% in mucosal type and 60.0% in acral type.
In patients treated with 1 mg/kg Q2W with confirmed responses (n=7), a durable response was observed with a median duration of response (DoR) of 14.0 months and events of 42.9%.
In patients treated with 1 mg/kg Q2W (n = 31) had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.7 (2.7, 6.8) months, which was significantly longer than data from previous studies (PFS less than 3 months[1] ). The median follow-up time was 14.7 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 14.8 (9.9, NC) months, and the median OS of patients with mucosal subtype was 19.3 (9.9, NC) months. The overall 12-month OS rate was 61.5%.
In terms of safety, IBI363 was generally well tolerated. Among the subjects treated with 1 mg/kg Q2W (n = 31), the treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) with an incidence > 30% were arthralgia, rash, and hyperthyroidism, most of which were Grade 1 or 2. The overall incidence of Grade ≥ 3 TRAEs was 29.0%, and only 3.2% of subjects discontinued treatment due to TRAEs. Overall safety was manageable, and no new safety risks were found.

Acral+Mucosal

(1mg/kg Q2W)

N=31

Confirmed ORR, % (95% CI)

23.3 (9.9, 42.3)

DCR, % (95% CI)

76.7 (57.7, 90.1)

Median PFS, months (95% CI)

5.7 (2.7, 6.8)

Median OS, months (95% CI)

14.8 (9.9, NC)

12-month OS rate, % (95% CI)

61.5 (39.8, 77.3)

Median OS follow-up, months

14.7

A pivotal Phase 2 registrational study of IBI363 in the treatment of advanced acral and mucosal malignant melanoma has been initiated

Innovent Biologics announced a trial in progress (TiP) . It is a randomized, open-label, multi-center Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of IBI363 monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic mucosal and acral melanoma who have not received prior systemic treatment. As the first pivotal registration trial of IBI363, this study is designed to directly compare IBI363 monotherapy with pembrolizumab in this patient population. A total of 180 patients are planned to be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC).

The first patient was dosed in March 2025, marking a significant step in advancing IBI363’s development in melanoma. Additional studies exploring IBI363 in combination therapies across other cancer types are also ongoing.

Professor Guo Jun from Peking University Cancer Hospital and the Principal Investigator of Melanoma Studies on IBI363 said: "Although melanoma is a relatively rare malignant tumor in China, it has a high mortality rate, and its incidence continues to rise each year. Historically, patients with melanoma who have not received immunotherapy have had a median PFS of only about 3 months, which highlights a significant unmet clinical need. Notably, non-cutaneous melanoma (especially mucosal melanoma) accounts for a large proportion of cases in China and is considered a ‘cold tumor’, typically unresponsive to traditional immunotherapy. In these cases, the response rate to PD-1 monotherapy is often below 15%, offering limited clinical benefit. More effective treatments are urgently needed[2]. IBI363 addresses this challenge by transforming ‘cold tumors’ into ‘hot tumors’ through dual activation of the PD-1 and IL-2 pathways. The data presented in this study showed that IBI363 delivers significantly improved efficacy compared to previous studies in cold tumor subtypes and standard of care therapies, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. IBI363 has the potential to become a new standard in immunotherapy for malignant melanoma in China, providing a long-needed treatment option for patients with acral and mucosal malignant melanoma."

Dr. Zhou Hui, Senior Vice President of Innovent Biologics, said: "At present, there is a huge unmet clinical need for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic mucosal and acral melanoma in China. Approved PD-1 therapies have not substantially improved first-line outcomes in melanoma, and the clinical benefits remain limited[3]. IBI363 is leading the evolution of next-generation immunotherapy. By leveraging a dual-mechanism of ‘PD-1 blockade + IL-2 directed activation’, IBI363 enhances T cell function and expands T cell populations to reshape the tumor immune microenvironment. IBI363 has shown excellent efficacy and safety results in the treatment of patients with immune-cold melanoma subtypes. A Phase 2 pivotal registrational study is currently underway. Positive results in patients with mucosal and acral melanoma are highly anticipated, offering hope for a more effective treatment option. Meanwhile, we are accelerating the global development of IBI363 across multiple tumor types, with the goal of making this innovative treatment accessible to patients around the world."

About Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that develops from melanocytes. While it accounts for only 3% of all skin cancers, it has the highest mortality rate and is the most prone to metastasis. In China, both the incidence and mortality rates of melanoma are rising annually. Based on tumor location, melanoma is classified into cutaneous, acral, and mucosal subtypes. Melanoma in Chinese populations differs significantly from that in Caucasian populations in Europe and the United States with regard to pathogenesis, biological behavior, histological morphology, treatment methods, and prognosis[4]. For patients with advanced cutaneous and acral melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation, a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is the preferred treatment. For those without this mutation, chemotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic drugs is often considered as first-line treatment. Although pembrolizumab was approved in Sep. 2024 for first-line treatment of melanoma, the clinical benefit of PD-1 inhibitors in this setting remains modest. In second-line treatment, agents different from those used in the first line are generally preferred. For patients not previously treated with a PD-1 inhibitor, it can be considered as a second-line option. In advanced mucosal melanoma, median PFS for patients without prior immunotherapy is only about 3 months. Given the limited efficacy of current treatments for non-cutaneous melanomas, especially mucosal subtypes, which are more prevalent in China, there is an urgent need for more effective therapies.

About IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2 α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein)

IBI363 is the world’s first PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific fusion protein independently developed by Innovent Biologics. It integrates two key functions: blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activation of the IL-2 signaling pathway. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 has been engineered to retain affinity for IL-2 Rα while reducing binding to IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγ, thereby minimizing toxicity. The PD-1 binding arm enables simultaneous PD-1 blockage and selective delivery of IL-2. This differential targeting strategy exploits the fact that newly activated tumor-specific T cells co-express PD-1 and IL-2α, which allows for more precise and efficient targeting and activation of this T cell subset. IBI363 not only showed good anti-tumor activity in a variety of tumor-bearing pharmacological models but also showed prominent anti-tumor efficacy in PD-1 resistance and metastasis models.

Driven by urgent clinical needs, Innovent Biologics is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States, and Australia to assess the efficacy and safety of IBI363 across multiple tumor types. The first pivotal registration trial of IBI363 has been initiated for the treatment of mucosal and acral melanoma without immunotherapy.

IBI363 has been granted two fast track designations by the FDA for the treatment of advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, respectively. IBI363 has also been granted Two Breakthrough Therapy Designations by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of advanced melanoma and squamous NSCLC.

On June 1, 2025 Taiho Oncology, Inc., and Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc., reported the publication of positive results from the REZILIENT1 trial in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO). REZILIENT1 is a Phase 1/2, global, multicenter study of zipalertinib (development code: CLN-081/TAS6417) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations (ex20ins) who have received prior therapy (Press release, Taiho, JUN 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234653566]). Results from the REZILIENT1 trial will be presented in a simultaneous oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Abstract #8503).

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The full publication, titled Zipalertinib in Patients With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Exon 20 Insertion-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy With or Without Amivantamab, can be found here.

Highlights of the REZILIENT1 Phase 1/2 trial in the authors’ conclusions include:

Zipalertinib demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy in the primary efficacy population (n=176), including 51 patients who had received prior amivantamab.
The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 35.2% overall, and median duration of response (mDOR) and progression-free survival were 8.8 months and 9.4 months, respectively.
In patients treated after prior platinum-based chemotherapy only (n=125), ORR was 40% with mDOR of 8.8 months.
The safety profile of zipalertinib was manageable and consistent with previously reported data.¹
In exploratory subgroup analyses:
Patients who had received prior amivantamab without other ex20ins-targeted therapy showed a confirmed ORR of 30% and mDOR of 14.7 months.
Patients with brain metastases showed a confirmed ORR of 30.9% and a mDOR of 8.3 months.
"Despite recent treatment advances for patients with EGFR ex20ins-mutant NSCLC, there is a lack of oral targeted therapies for patients whose tumors harbor these mutations," said principal investigator Zofia Piotrowska, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School and a clinical researcher and lung cancer medical oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. "Findings from the Phase 1/2 REZILIENT1 trial support our understanding of zipalertinib as a potential targeted therapy option for patients living with previously treated recurrent or metastatic NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations."

Taiho Oncology is actively recruiting patients in the Phase 3 REZILIENT3 trial (NCT05973773).

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 exon 20 insertion mutations who have received prior therapy. 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 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 exon 20 insertion 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.

About EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations
NSCLC is a common form of lung cancer and up to 4% of all cases have EGFR exon 20 insertions, which makes them the third most common EGFR mutation subtype.2 In the United States, approximately 16% of patients with NSCLC harbor EGFR mutations,3 with insertions at exon 20 accounting for up to 12% of these mutations.

On June 1, 2025 Johnson & Johnson reported new data from a Phase 1 study evaluating pasritamig (JNJ-78278343), a first-in-class bispecific antibody that activates T-cells to harness the body’s immune system against prostate cancer cells, showing promise in patients with advanced disease who have progressed after multiple lines of therapy (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, JUN 1, 2025, View Source;johnson-unveils-first-in-human-results-for-pasritamig-showing-early-anti-tumor-activity-in-prostate-cancer-302470142.html [SID1234653567]). These first data on pasritamig, from the first-in-human study, demonstrate that pasritamig appears well-tolerated and exhibits a promising antitumor activity in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), highlighting the potential of KLK2 as a novel target for T-cell engagement in advanced disease.1 These data were presented as an oral presentation (Abstract #5017) at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and published simultaneously in The Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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Pasritamig is a novel T-cell engager designed to bind both CD3 on T-cells and KLK2—a prostate-specific antigen with minimal expression outside of the prostate. Pasritamig activates T-cells by binding to CD3 and directing them to KLK2- expressing tumor cells, engaging the body’s immune system to specifically target these cancerous cells. This differentiated approach aims to deliver a targeted treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer, while potentially reducing the high-grade toxicities historically associated with T-cell engagers.

"These first-in-human results for pasritamig are highly encouraging, demonstrating that KLK2 is a viable target for T-cell engagers in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer," said Capucine Baldini*, M.D., Ph.D., Drug Development Department (DITEP), Institut Gustave Roussy, and presenting author. "The data show a promising safety profile, with manageable adverse events and no AEs leading to treatment discontinuations or ICANS observed, with 40 percent of patients having no treatment-related AEs at all. Given the limited treatment options for mCRPC, these findings support further investigation of pasritamig and the role of KLK2-targeted T-cell therapies as a potential new approach for patients with aggressive disease."

"Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains one of the most difficult stages of prostate cancer to treat, particularly for patients who haven’t responded well to previous treatments," said Jeff Infante, M.D., Vice President of Early Clinical Development and Translational Research at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "This investigational approach underscores our commitment to developing innovative and practice-changing medicines that are well-tolerated and can be easily administered in community practice settings."

The Phase 1 first-in-human study (NCT04898634) evaluated 174 patients with ages ranging from 36 to 89 years old and on average having received four prior therapies (range 1-13). The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of pasritamig was 3.5mg on day 1, 18mg on day 8, 300mg intravenously on day 15 and then once every six weeks. The RP2D safety group also included patients treated once every three weeks as the toxicity profiles were very similar. The RP2D efficacy group only included patients treated at the RP2D once every six weeks.1

Within the RP2D safety group (n=45), treated once every three or six weeks, 100 percent had previously received androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, 75.6 percent had undergone taxane chemotherapy, and 37.8 percent had been treated with Lutetium 177 vipivotide tetraxetan prostate-specific membrane antigen radioligand therapy.1 The most common treatment- related adverse events (TRAEs) were Grade 1/2 infusion-related reactions (24.4 percent), Grade 1 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) presenting as fever only (8.9 percent, no steroid or tocilizumab was administered) and no reports of higher grade CRS. No TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation or dose reduction were reported and no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was observed. Grade 3 TRAEs were infrequent with 4.4 percent of patients reporting transient AST/ALT increases and neutropenia. There were no dose-limiting toxicities reported. The favorable safety profile of the RP2D regimen enabled convenient outpatient administration on a patient-friendly, once-every-six-weeks schedule.1

Of the patients in the RP2D efficacy group (n=33), treated once every six weeks, 42.4 percent achieved a 50 percent or greater reduction in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels with a median rPFS of 7.9 months (95 percent confidence interval [CI] 2.9, not estimable [NE]) and 21.2 percent of patients continuing therapy. Treatment with pasritamig showed durable disease control and rPFS that compares favorably to historical data in heavily pretreated patients with mCRPC.1

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer occurs in a significant portion of prostate cancer patients, with many progressing despite initial therapies.2 Overall survival from diagnosis of mCRPC patients ranges from 13.5 to 31.6 months, and lower in patients who have progressed on therapy.3 Treatment options remain limited, underscoring the urgent need for safer and more effective therapies.4

About Pasritamig (JNJ-78278343)
Pasritamig (JNJ-78278343) is an investigational T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody (bsAb) targeting human kallikrein 2 (KLK2) on prostate cancer cells and CD3 on T-cells. This approach is being evaluated in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a patient population with limited treatment options.

About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a challenging and aggressive stage of prostate cancer where the disease progresses despite androgen deprivation therapy.2 Patients often experience metastasis to bones and lymph nodes, leading to poor outcomes and limited treatment options, including chemotherapy and second-line hormone therapies.5 The median overall survival ranges from 13.5 to 31.6 months depending on the site of metastasis, with a typical range of 15–36 months across the broader population.3,6 Survival rates can vary significantly depending on factors such as prior treatment history, disease burden, and response to therapy. The need for more effective treatments is critical, as the disease continues to impact a large number of men globally, with mCRPC being responsible for a substantial number of prostate cancer-related deaths.

On June 1, 2025 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel oncolytic immunotherapies, reported two posters highlighting data updates for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place May 30-June 3 in Chicago (Press release, Replimune, JUN 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234653551]).

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"The new analyses we presented from the IGNYTE clinical trial of RP1 plus nivolumab in anti-PD-1 failed melanoma confirms our belief in the systemic activity of the combination, and also shows robust responses in injected liver and lung lesions with an acceptable safety profile," said Kostas Xynos, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Replimune. "Additional data also presented at the meeting shows that RP1 can be handled safely with no additional biosafety protocols required confirming that standard disinfection procedures are sufficient for clean up."

Key findings are outlined below.

Poster Presentation: Response analysis for injected and non-injected lesions and the safety and efficacy of superficial and deep RP1 injection in the registrational cohort of anti-PD-1-failed melanoma patients of the IGNYTE trial (Track: Melanoma/Skin Cancers; June 1, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT; Location: Hall A, Board 20; Abstract: 9537)

The poster included an analysis from the IGNYTE clinical trial of RP1 plus nivolumab in the cohort of anti-PD-1 failed melanoma patients (n=140). In the trial, the objective response rate (ORR) was 32.9% using RECIST 1.1. The complete response rate was 15.0% and landmark overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 75.3%, 63.3%, and 54.8% respectively. Median OS has not been reached.
Patients experienced numerically higher objective response rates after receiving deep injections (± superficial) compared with superficial injections only. Deep responses were observed in injected and non-injected lesions.
The ORR by injection type using RECIST 1.1 was 29.8% when only superficial lesions were injected, 42.9% for deep/visceral plus superficial injections injected, and 40.9% when only deep/visceral lesions were injected.
There was a ≥30% reduction in 93.6% (73/78) of injected lesions and 79.0% (94/119) of non-injected lesions. The kinetics of response were similar in injected vs non-injected lesions.
Of the non-injected visceral organ lesions in responding patients, 96.2% (50/52) showed reduction from baseline, with 65.4% reduced by ≥30%.
RP1 injections directly into the lung and liver were generally well tolerated and resulted in few organ-specific adverse events that were easily managed.
Liver and lung injections had a tolerable safety profile.
No bleeding events were reported after liver injection.
Lung injections were associated with low rates of pneumothorax events, which were typically of low grade and manageable.
Overall, these data support the safety and efficacy of deep/visceral injections and demonstrate the development of a robust systemic anti-tumor response following treatment with RP1 plus nivolumab.
Poster Presentation: Biosafety analysis from the skin cancer cohorts in the IGNYTE clinical trial of RP1 (Track: Melanoma/Skin Cancers; June 1, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm CDT; Location: Hall A, Board 17; Abstract: 9534)

RP1 was assessed in various samples taken from patients.
This demonstrated that RP1 DNA is primarily detected at the injection site, consistent with RP1 replication in the tumor, and much more rarely on dressings, in blood, on mucous membranes or in urine.
In all cases, live RP1 was only rarely if ever detected, demonstrating that while residual RP1 DNA may be present, this does not indicate the presence of live RP1
There were no systemic herpetic infections in patients or reports of HSV-1 infections in contacts.
RP1 is completely neutralized using standard disinfectants within 30 seconds of contact, confirming that standard disinfection procedures are sufficient for RP1 clean-up.
Collectively these data demonstrate that the likelihood of transmission of RP1 to patients’ contacts or into the external environment is minimal, with no transmission having been reported to date.
Both posters will be available on the Company website under Events and Presentations.

About RP1
RP1 is Replimune’s lead product candidate and is based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP-R-) and GM-CSF intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response.

About RP2
RP2 is based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP-R-) and GM-CSF intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response. RP2 additionally expresses an anti-CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule, as well as GALV-GP-R- and GM-CSF. RP2 is intended to provide targeted and potent delivery of these proteins to the sites of immune response initiation in the tumor and draining lymph nodes, with the goal of focusing systemic-immune-based efficacy on tumors and limiting off-target toxicity.