Akeso’s Ivonescimab Secures Fourth Breakthrough Therapy Designation in China for First-Line Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

On November 2, 2025 Akeso (9926.HK) reported that its first-in-class bispecific antibody, ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody), in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

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The Phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial (HARMONi-BC1/AK112-308) for this combination therapy is ongoing in China. The BTD designation is expected to further expedite the clinical development and regulatory approval process of ivonescimab for the treatment of TNBC. This marks the fourth BTD granted by the CDE for ivonescimab. The previous three designations include:

Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC resistant to EGFR-TKI therapy, which has now been approved for marketing in China and added to China’s National Reimbursement Drug List.

First-line treatment of PD-L1-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, which has also been approved for marketing in China.

Ivonescimab combined with docetaxel for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients who have failed previous PD-1/L1 inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. The Phase III clinical trial for this indication in China is currently ongoing.
Receiving four Breakthrough Therapy Designations affirms ivonescimab’s substantial clinical benefit across multiple major cancer types and reinforces Akeso’s commitment to addressing critical unmet medical needs. The therapy is currently advancing in 14 Phase III clinical trials worldwide, including four international multicenter studies. These large pivotal studies, backed by repeated regulatory recognition, position ivonescimab to deliver transformative, life-saving outcomes for patients worldwide.

(Press release, Akeso Biopharma, NOV 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234659227])

OncoHost to Present Two Posters Highlighting Advances in Plasma Proteomics Monitoring and Prediction for NSCLC at ISLB 2025

On November 2, 2025 OncoHost, a global leader in precision oncology and proteomics-based biomarker development, reported the presentation of two new research posters at the 2025 International Society for Liquid Biopsy (ISLB) Annual Congress. The studies underscore the transformative potential of plasma proteomics in improving clinical decision-making and real-time disease monitoring for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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Poster 1: Plasma Proteomics as a Systemic Monitoring Approach in NSCLC Immunotherapy: Comparative Analysis with ctDNA

Presenter: Michal Harel, Ph.D., VP Translational Medicine, OncoHost
Presentation Time: Sunday, November 2, 10:45–11:45, Tuesday, November 3, 9:00-10:00

This study introduces a comparative analysis between plasma proteomic signatures and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to evaluate immunotherapy response in advanced NSCLC.

Leveraging aptamer-based proteomic profiling of approximately 7,000 plasma proteins per sample, researchers identified three key proteomic signatures reflecting:

Soluble PD-1/PD-L1 drug bioavailability,
T-cell activation and immune engagement, and
Intracellular proteins indicating lung tissue damage.
Notably, the tissue-damage signature enabled early detection of non-responders up to 6.6 months before standard imaging. While ctDNA tumor load correlated modestly with this signature, only the proteomic analysis effectively distinguished clinical response groups.

"These results demonstrate the unique systemic insight offered by plasma proteomics – capturing the full tumor-immune interaction beyond what is achievable with ctDNA alone," said Dr. Harel. "This approach has the potential to revolutionize real-time treatment monitoring for immunotherapy patients."

Poster 2: A Plasma Proteomics Test Predicts Immunotherapy Benefit in NSCLC Independent of Genomic Alterations

Presenter: Anna Manasherov, MSN-FNP, MPH, Director, Scientific Affairs, OncoHost
Presentation Time: Sunday, November 2, 10:45–11:45, Tuesday, November 3, 9:00-10:00

The second study evaluated the performance of PROphetNSCLC, OncoHost’s commercially available liquid biopsy proteomics test, in predicting immunotherapy benefit across major genomic subgroups.

Analyzing pre-treatment plasma samples from 308 NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the study revealed that a PROphet-POSITIVE result predicted significantly longer overall survival (HR=0.39, p<0.0001) – a benefit consistently observed across KRAS, STK11, TP53, and KEAP1 mutation subgroups.

Importantly, the predictive power of PROphetNSCLC was maintained independent of mutational status and PD-L1 expression, establishing it as a universal biomarker for immunotherapy benefit prediction.

"The data reinforce the value of PROphetNSCLC as an independent, mutation-agnostic tool supporting oncologists in selecting optimal first-line treatments," said Ofer Sharon, MD, CEO at OncoHost. "Our findings highlight the power of proteomics to transcend genomic boundaries and provide actionable clinical insights."

(Press release, OncoHost, NOV 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234659228])

Newly Established Samsung Epis Holdings to Drive Growth for Samsung Bioepis and a New Subsidiary

On November 2, 2025 Samsung Epis Holdings Co., Ltd. reported its establishment as a new investment holding company, following the spin-off of Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. from Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS). Samsung Epis Holdings will be listed on Korea Exchange (KRX) on November 24, 2025, after establishment of a new subsidiary company on November 14, 2025. Samsung Bioepis will continue to operate its biosimilar business as a 100% owned subsidiary of Samsung Epis Holdings.

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Kyung-Ah Kim will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Samsung Epis Holdings, in addition to her current role as the President and CEO of Samsung Bioepis. "The new investment holding company will focus on discovering and securing investment opportunities in biotechnology for the company and its subsidiaries’ long-term growth, with scientific innovation remaining the source of our value creation. In the meantime, Samsung Bioepis will remain committed to ensuring the continued development, manufacturing, and distribution of quality-assured biosimilar medicines to patients around the world," said Kyung-Ah Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Epis Holdings. "By establishing an independent decision-making structure, we see the potential for further growth and investment. Progress is being made to secure next-generation therapeutic technology on the back of the capabilities accumulated through our biosimilar business. With the spin-off, we expect to have more opportunities to explore next-generation growth drivers."

(Press release, Samsung Epis Holdings, NOV 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234659229])

Quarterly Activities and Cash Flow Report Period Ending 30 September 2025

On October 31, 2025 Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, reported its Quarterly Cash Flow report (Appendix 4C) for the quarter ended 30 September 2025.

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CLINICAL UPDATES

Azer-cel Phase 1b clinical trial records overall response rate of 81% in relapsed/refractory DLBCL

Late in the quarter, the Company reported an overall response rate (ORR) of 81% in its ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of azer-cel (azercabtagene zapreleucel), an allogeneic, offthe-shelf CD19 CAR T-cell therapy being developed for patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Of the sixteen patients treated so far, thirteen have responded to therapy, including seven complete responses (CRs) and six partial responses (PRs). This marks an increase from the previously reported 79% ORR in August 2025, following two new patients achieving partial responses and one transitioning from partial to complete response at the Day 90 scan. Importantly, responses have been both rapid and durable, with the average time to best response occurring within one to three months, and ongoing durability data continuing to strengthen.

The first patient dosed with azer-cel and IL-2 in 2024 remains cancer-free for more than eighteen months, while additional responders are maintaining outcomes beyond five, five, six, and fifteen months, highlighting the long-lasting clinical activity of azer-cel. Patients enrolled in this trial represent a heavily pre-treated population, having typically failed at least three prior lines of therapy, and in many cases up to four to six, including autologous CAR T-cell treatments. These results reinforce the potential of azer-cel to provide a new therapeutic option for patients who have exhausted existing avenues.

Two patients who achieved a complete (CR) or partial response (PR) following azer-cel treatment became eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT). This approach using azer-cel as a bridge to allo-SCT has the potential to consolidate response and deliver long-term disease control. The sequence of azer-cel followed by allo-SCT may yield durable remission rates that exceed those typically observed with conventional salvage regimens.

Azer-cel is being administered in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine known to enhance the survival and cancer-killing function of CAR T-cells, with the combination appearing to be contributing to both the depth and durability of responses.

Azer-cel aims to address key limitations of autologous CAR T therapies, including long manufacturing times, logistical constraints, and limited accessibility to treatment centres, by offering a readily available, on-demand cell therapy manufactured from healthy donor T-cells. Imugene continues to enrol patients at ten US and five Australian sites.

During the period the study also expanded to include and treat CAR T naïve patients diagnosed with a broad range of Non-Hodgkins lymphomas including primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), follicular lymphoma (FL) and leukemias such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/ small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

Following quarter end, the company also provided a positive update to the market on the CAR T naïve patient expansion:
• 83% Overall Response Rate (ORR) in six evaluable heavily pretreated, CAR T naïve patients (no prior CAR T treatment). 5/6 responders, with results from the sixth patient pending
• 50% Complete Response (CR) rate, 3/6 patients
• Ten patients treated to date across multiple CD19+ B-cell malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) and primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL)
• Enrolment progressing significantly faster than the CAR T-relapsed DLBCL cohort, supporting a potential expedited clinical path

Following an internal portfolio review, Imugene is refining its investment focus toward programs with near-term clinical and commercial milestones.

In light of the recent encouraging azer-cel results and broader capital considerations, the Company is exploring alternative development pathways for the CF33 programs, including potential collaborations with external partners who are encouraged by its potential.

As part of this approach, Imugene will moderate internal funding for CF33 and onCARlytics, while assessing partnership, out-licensing, or joint venture opportunities to support continued advancement of these programs.

FINANCIAL

$24.9 million institutional Placement and Share Purchase Plan

During the quarter, the Company successfully completed a $22.5 million institutional Placement and a $2.42 million Share Purchase Plan (SPP) for eligible shareholders, both priced at $0.33 per share. The Placement was strongly supported by new Australian and international institutional and sophisticated investors.

Participants in both the Placement and SPP received three free, attaching listed options for every four new shares subscribed, exercisable at $0.43 by 30 March 2026. Upon exercising these options, investors will receive one additional "piggyback" option per option exercised, with an exercise price of $0.86 and expiry on 30 June 2028.

Proceeds from the capital raising will primarily fund Imugene’s azer-cel (azercabtagene zapreleucel) program through initiation of a pivotal clinical trial in calendar year 2026, while also extending the company’s funding runway into mid-2027 and supporting general working capital needs.

(Press release, Imugene, OCT 31, 2025, https://mcusercontent.com/e38c43331936a9627acb6427c/files/7ce28d9c-c2ac-c33f-0f13-955286db572b/03017251.pdf [SID1234657171])

Zai Lab Announces Participation in Investor Conferences in November and December 2025

On October 31, 2025 Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) reported that members of the Company’s senior management team will participate in the following investor conferences in November and December 2025:

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Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in London
Fireside Chat: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 8:30AM GMT
Location: London

Citi’s 2025 Global Healthcare Conference
Fireside Chat: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 1:00PM ET
Location: Miami, Florida

Live webcasts will be available on the Investor Relations page of Zai Lab’s website at ir.zailaboratory.com/webcasts-presentations and archived replays will be available for up to 90 days following the completion of the events.

(Press release, Zai Laboratory, OCT 31, 2025, View Source [SID1234659215])