Alvotech Announces Licensing and Commercialization Agreement with Lotus Pharmaceutical for proposed biosimilars to durvalumab and emicizumab in the U.S. and Selected Asian Markets

On August 21, 2026 Alvotech (NASDAQ: ALVO; ALVO-SDB), a global biotechnology company specializing in the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines for patients worldwide, reported a strategic licensing and commercialization agreement with Lotus Pharmaceutical (TWSE Stock Code: 1795) covering two of Alvotech’s candidates in the United States and selected Asian markets: AVT34, a proposed biosimilar to Imfinzi (durvalumab), and AVT87, a proposed biosimilar to Hemlibra (emicizumab).

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!

Imfinzi is an oncology biologic used in the treatment of multiple cancers, which generated global sales of approximately $6.1 billion in 2025¹. Hemlibra is a biologic for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A that generated global sales of approximately CHF4.8 billion (approximately $5.8 billion) in 2025².

Under a semi-exclusive agreement in the United States, Alvotech retains the right to commercialize both products directly alongside Lotus, while Lotus will commercialize the products through Alvogen, its U.S.-based wholly owned subsidiary. Alvotech will retain responsibility for product development, and for obtaining and maintaining marketing authorizations in the United States, and will serve as the exclusive supplier of the products for all markets.

In Asia, Lotus will have exclusive commercialization rights in eight selected markets: South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Lotus will be responsible for local regulatory submissions and commercialization in these markets.

The agreement has a potential value to Alvotech of up to approximately $150 million in upfront and milestone payments, in addition to ongoing revenues from the supply of commercial product.

"This agreement represents an important evolution of Alvotech’s commercial strategy," said Lisa Graver, Chief Executive Officer of Alvotech. "For the first time, we will have the opportunity to participate directly in the future commercialization of our products in the United States, allowing us to retain a greater share of the value we create through our development and manufacturing platform. At the same time, our partnership with Lotus extends the potential reach of these two important pipeline assets across key Asian markets. We look forward to working together to bring these medicines to patients and broaden access to high-quality biologics."

"We are pleased to partner with Alvotech on two important biosimilar candidates that meaningfully advance Lotus’ global growth strategy," said Petar Vazharov, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus. "By combining Alvotech’s integrated biosimilar development and manufacturing capabilities with Alvogen’s established U.S. commercial platform and Lotus’s deep market presence across Asia, we are building a strong foundation for the future commercialization of AVT34 and AVT87 across key global markets. These candidates expand the scale and reach of our biosimilar portfolio in oncology and rare diseases, and reinforces our commitment to broadening access to high-quality medicines."

Imfinzi and Hemlibra are registered trademarks and the property of their respective owners.

(Press release, Alvotech, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670279])

European Commission approves Johnson & Johnson’s TECVAYLI® (teclistamab) plus daratumumab for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, offering a potential new standard of care

On August 21, 2026 Johnson & Johnson reported that the European Commission (EC) has approved an indication extension for TECVAYLI (teclistamab) in combination with daratumumab for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least one prior therapy. The approval introduces a new treatment option as early as second line for patients living with RRMM.

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!

Complementary mechanisms of action underpin this immunotherapy doublet

Teclistamab and daratumumab work in a complementary manner, with daratumumab modulating the immune system to enhance T-cell fitness and activation, thereby amplifying teclistamab-mediated killing of myeloma cells.1,2

Expert and company perspectives on advancing the standard of care in RRMM

"Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma often experience shorter remissions and diminishing responses with each subsequent line of therapy, making earlier access to the most effective treatments increasingly important," said María-Victoria Mateos, M.D., Director of the Myeloma Unit at the University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain. "Today’s approval of teclistamab in combination with daratumumab marks an important advance by providing physicians with an off-the-shelf, steroid-sparing, immunotherapy option that has demonstrated meaningful improvements in progression-free and overall survival, with the potential to redefine treatment expectations as early as second line."

"This new indication for teclistamab plus daratumumab brings forward a new standard of care for patients in Europe living with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma," said Ester in ‘t Groen, EMEA Therapeutic Area Head, Haematology, Johnson & Johnson. "By combining the complementary mechanisms of teclistamab, a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody, with daratumumab, a well-established standard of care that helps modulate the immune system, we can deliver meaningful long-term outcomes earlier in the treatment journey, where they have the greatest opportunity to influence the disease trajectory and redefine expectations for patients."

"Today’s approval reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing the diverse needs of patients with multiple myeloma, giving them more options at every stage of their disease," said Yusri Elsayed, M.D., M.H.Sc., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson. "By continuing to invest in scientific innovation and practice-changing research, we aim to redefine what is possible for patients today, while moving closer to a future where long-term disease control, and ultimately cure, becomes an achievable goal."

Unprecedented Phase 3 study data demonstrate significant survival benefits versus standard of care, representing a potential new benchmark in RRMM

The EC approval is supported by data from the Phase 3 MajesTEC-3 study (NCT05083169), which evaluated the efficacy and safety of teclistamab plus daratumumab subcutaneous (SC) formulation versus investigator’s choice of daratumumab SC and dexamethasone with either pomalidomide or bortezomib (DPd/DVd) in patients with RRMM who have received 1–3 prior lines of therapy.3

Source: Costa L, et al. Teclistamab plus Daratumumab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. The New England Journal of Medicine 2025; Full article and supplementary material. Available at: View Source Last accessed: August 2026.

The study demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).1 At nearly three years of follow-up, teclistamab plus daratumumab SC reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 83.4% compared to standard of care (hazard ratio [HR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.23; p<0.001).1 More than 90% of patients who remained progression-free at six months (n=249) remained progression-free at three years, highlighting the durability of response observed with this regimen.1 OS favoured teclistamab plus daratumumab SC (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.32-0.65; p<0.0001), with treatment benefit observed across all prespecified subgroups.1,2 At three years, OS rates were 83.3% for the combination compared with 65.0% for standard of care.1

Teclistamab combination demonstrated manageable safety profile

The safety profile of teclistamab plus daratumumab SC was consistent with the well-known profiles of the individual therapies and no new safety signals were identified.1,4,5 All cases of cytokine release syndrome were Grade 1/2 and did not lead to treatment discontinuation.1 Cytopenia and infection were the most commonly observed Grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).1 Treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs were low and occurred at similar rates between study arms (4.6% [teclistamab] vs. 5.5% [DPd/DVd]).1

About the MajesTEC-3 Study

MajesTEC-3 (NCT05083169) is an ongoing, Phase 3 randomised study evaluating the safety and efficacy of teclistamab plus daratumumab subcutaneous (SC) (n=291) versus investigator’s choice of daratumumab SC and dexamethasone with either pomalidomide or bortezomib (n=296) (DPd/DVd) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received 1–3 prior lines of therapy.1,3 The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints include complete response or better (≥CR), overall response rate (ORR), minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity (10⁻⁵ by next-generation sequencing), overall survival (OS), time to worsening of symptoms (MySIm-Q), and safety.3 The MajesTEC-3 study is a part of the MajesTEC clinical programme, which includes exploring the potential of teclistamab as a combination regimen.3

About Teclistamab

Teclistamab received European Commission (EC) approval in August 2022 for the treatment of patients with RRMM who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.6 In August 2023, the EC approved a Type II variation application for teclistamab, providing the option for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5mg/kg every two weeks in patients who have achieved a complete response (CR) or better for a minimum of six months.7

Teclistamab is an off-the-shelf (or ready-to-use) bispecific antibody.4,8 Teclistamab, a subcutaneous injection, redirects T-cells through two cellular targets (BCMA and CD3) to activate the body’s immune system to fight cancer.1,5 Teclistamab is currently being evaluated in several combination studies.4,9,10,11

To date, more than 30,700 patients have been treated worldwide with teclistamab.12

For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using teclistamab, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics at: View Source

In line with EMA regulations for new medicines and those given conditional approval, teclistamab is subject to additional monitoring.4

About Daratumumab and Daratumumab SC

Johnson & Johnson is committed to exploring the potential of daratumumab for patients with multiple myeloma across the spectrum of the disease.

In August 2012, Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Johnson & Johnson an exclusive licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise daratumumab. Since launch, daratumumab has become a foundational therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma, having been used in the treatment of more than 830,000 patients worldwide.13 Daratumumab was the first CD38-directed antibody approved to be given subcutaneously to treat patients with multiple myeloma.5,14 Daratumumab SC was also the first oncology injectable approved for administration by patients living with multiple myeloma or their caregivers from the fifth dose, if determined to be appropriate by their healthcare professional and following proper training.5,15 Daratumumab SC is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology.5

CD38 is a surface protein that is present in high numbers on multiple myeloma cells, regardless of the stage of disease.5,16 Daratumumab binds to CD38 and inhibits tumour cell growth causing myeloma cell death.5 Daratumumab may also have an effect on normal cells.5 Data across ten Phase 3 clinical trials, in both the frontline and relapsed settings across all newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, have shown that daratumumab-based regimens resulted in significant improvement in progression-free survival and/or overall survival.17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26

For further information on daratumumab, please see the Summary of Product Characteristics at: View Source

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a complex blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.27,28 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells continue to proliferate, accumulating in the body and crowding out normal blood cells, as well as often causing bone destruction and other serious complications.29,30 In the European Union, it is estimated that more than 35,000 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2024, and more than 21,900 patients died.31 Patients living with multiple myeloma experience relapses which become more frequent with each line of therapy, while remissions become progressively shorter.32,33,34 Whilst some patients with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, others can have common signs and symptoms of the disease, which can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, high calcium levels, infections, or kidney damage.

(Press release, Johnson & Johnson, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670280])

Werewolf Therapeutics and Ambros Therapeutics Announce Merger Agreement and Concurrent Oversubscribed $150 million Private Placement

On August 21, 2026 Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOWL) and Ambros Therapeutics, Inc., reported that they entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine the companies in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will focus on advancing Ambros Therapeutics’ neridronate development program in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 ("CRPS-1", formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). Upon completion of the merger, the combined company will operate as Ambros Therapeutics, headquartered in San Diego, California, and is expected to trade under the Nasdaq ticker symbol "AMBX".

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!

In connection with the proposed merger, the companies secured commitments for an oversubscribed concurrent private placement of $150 million from a syndicate of leading healthcare-dedicated investors co-led by RA Capital Management and Janus Henderson Investors. The private placement includes participation from Aberdeen Investments, Adage Capital Partners, L.P., ADAR1 Capital Management, Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC, Arkin Bio Capital, Balyasny Asset Management, Patient Square Capital’s platform Enavate Sciences, SilverArc Capital, Sphera Healthcare, and Woodline Partners LP as well as other new and existing investors. The private placement is expected to close concurrently with the proposed merger, at which time Werewolf Therapeutics will issue common stock and pre-funded warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $150 million. Ambros Therapeutics expects the combined company to be fully funded through topline results from the pivotal CRPS-RISE Phase 3 clinical trial expected in 2028 and a planned New Drug Application ("NDA") submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for potential approval of neridronate in patients with CRPS-1, with cash runway into the first half of 2029.

"We are uniquely positioned to be advancing neridronate, a differentiated bisphosphonate with extensive prior clinical experience, in an FDA-aligned single Phase 3 trial supporting potential regulatory approval in patients with CRPS-1, a debilitating orphan disease with no currently FDA-approved therapy," said Jay Hagan, Chief Executive Officer of Ambros Therapeutics. "With the capital raised through this financing from a leading investor syndicate, we expect to be fully funded through potentially value-generating topline results of our pivotal CRPS-RISE Phase 3 trial and have the resources to advance a potential NDA submission and commercial preparations. Our strengthened foundation resulting from today’s transformative announcement positions us to deliver value on behalf of patients, investors and all other stakeholders."

"Following a comprehensive review of strategic options, management and the board of directors believe a merger with Ambros Therapeutics is in the best interest of Werewolf Therapeutics’ stockholders. The Ambros management team’s extensive track record, drug development expertise and the potential of neridronate to deliver a meaningful treatment to patients with CRPS-1 is very compelling," said Daniel J. Hicklin, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Werewolf Therapeutics. "Neridronate, which has received the FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, and Orphan Drug designations, is a differentiated bisphosphonate with the potential to redefine the standard of care for patients with CRPS-1."

Proceeds from the proposed transaction will be used to advance the clinical development of neridronate, a differentiated bisphosphonate that has demonstrated lasting pain reduction along with improvement in other CRPS-related symptoms.

Neridronate is advancing in the pivotal CRPS-RISE Phase 3 clinical trial ("CRPS-RISE"), a multicenter, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of neridronate in patients with warm CRPS-1. CRPS-RISE leverages a precision medicine approach focused on diagnosed CRPS-1 patients in the warm-phase of the disease with positive triple-phase bone scans ("TPBS"), whose disease biology most closely aligns with neridronate’s proposed mechanism and where prior clinical evidence suggests the treatment effect may be greatest. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in pain intensity from baseline to week 12 as measured on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. Key secondary endpoints include other measures of pain reduction and patient reported outcomes. The program includes a registry for long-term outcomes and an opportunity for CRPS-RISE participants with active disease who completed the study to receive neridronate. Based on interactions with the FDA, Ambros Therapeutics believes that positive results from a single pivotal trial such as CRPS-RISE could support potential U.S. approval. Ambros Therapeutics anticipates reporting topline data from CRPS-RISE in 2028. Along with Orphan Designation, Ambros Therapeutics’ intellectual property portfolio supports the potential for neridronate’s U.S. market exclusivity through 2045.

About the Proposed Merger

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Werewolf Therapeutics will issue to pre-merger Ambros Therapeutics stockholders shares of Werewolf Therapeutics common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) as merger consideration in exchange for the cancellation of shares of capital stock of Ambros Therapeutics, and Ambros Therapeutics will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Werewolf Therapeutics. Stockholders of Ambros Therapeutics will receive newly issued shares of Werewolf Therapeutics common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) pursuant to a formula set forth in the merger agreement. The exchange ratio is based on an implied value of Ambros Therapeutics of $500 million (before giving effect to the concurrent private placement) and an implied value of Werewolf Therapeutics of $47.5 million. Pre-merger Werewolf Therapeutics stockholders (other than those investors participating in the private placement) are expected to own approximately 6.8% of the combined company, pre-merger Ambros Therapeutics stockholders are expected to own approximately 71.7% of the combined company and investors participating in the private placement are expected to own approximately 21.5% of the combined company. The percentage of the combined company that pre-merger Ambros Therapeutics stockholders and pre-merger Werewolf Therapeutics stockholders will own upon the closing of the merger is further subject to adjustment based on the amount of Werewolf Therapeutics’ net cash at the time of closing. In connection with the closing of the proposed transactions, Werewolf Therapeutics stockholders (other than those investors participating in the private placement) will also be issued a contingent value right representing the right to receive certain payments from net proceeds received by the combined company, if any, related to dispositions of Werewolf Therapeutics’ pre-transaction legacy assets.

The merger agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The transaction is expected to close by the first quarter of 2027, subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval by the stockholders of each company, the shares of Werewolf Therapeutics common stock issuable in the transaction having been approved for listing on Nasdaq, effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Form S-4") and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Additional information about the transaction will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed by Werewolf Therapeutics with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and will be available at www.sec.gov.

Leerink Partners, Piper Sandler, Cantor and Wells Fargo Securities are serving as placement agents for the concurrent private placement. LifeSci Capital is also serving as a placement agent. Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel to Ambros Therapeutics. Piper Sandler is serving as the exclusive financial advisor, and Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel, to Werewolf Therapeutics. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal counsel to the placement agents.

Management and Organization

Upon closing of the proposed transaction, the combined company will be led by current members of the Ambros Therapeutics leadership team including:

Joseph (Jay) Hagan, Chief Executive Officer
Cris Calsada, Chief Financial Officer
Gail Cawkwell, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer
Christopher Aker, General Counsel
Kunal Kishnani, SVP of Corporate Development
Members of Ambros Therapeutics’ existing board of directors will become directors of the combined company.

About Neridronate

Neridronate is a differentiated bisphosphonate that was developed by Abiogen Pharma S.p.A. Neridronate is approved and marketed in Italy for the treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ("CRPS"); clinical studies have demonstrated lasting pain reduction along with improvements in other CRPS related symptoms. Beyond CRPS, neridronate is also approved in Italy for osteogenesis imperfecta and Paget’s disease and has been administered to approximately 600,000 patients across approved indications. Its well-established safety and tolerability profile and therapeutic benefits make it a potential promising treatment for patients with CRPS-1 worldwide. Recognizing its potential, the FDA has granted neridronate Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, and Orphan Drug designations for the treatment of CRPS.

About CRPS-1

CRPS-1 is a severely painful, debilitating orphan disease typically following a limb injury affecting an estimated 65,000 newly diagnosed people in the United States each year. There are currently no FDA-approved medicines available to treat this high unmet need patient population. The condition is characterized by intense pain that can be continuous in the affected limb such as the arm, leg, hand or foot. Patients with CRPS-1 often experience an evolving condition commencing with a "warm" phase that typically predominates in the first year after onset where inflammation and other mechanisms cause the affected limb to become red, swollen, warm, and hypersensitive to pain. In many patients, the disease progresses to a chronic "cold" phase, where the affected limb changes its presentation and patients face ongoing, debilitating pain.

About CRPS-RISE

CRPS-RISE is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of neridronate in patients with warm CRPS-1. The trial will evaluate approximately 270 participants randomized 1:1 to receive either intravenous ("IV") neridronate or placebo. To be eligible for the trial, participants must have a confirmed CRPS-1 diagnosis per the Budapest Clinical Criteria, a known precipitating event (e.g. fracture, sprain, contusion), CRPS-1 duration of 6 months or less and moderate to severe pain. Additionally, participants must have characteristics that Ambros Therapeutics believes make them more likely responders to neridronate treatment: a positive triple phase bone scan and specific attributes of the warm CRPS-1 subtype. Following an initial screening period of two to six weeks, participants will receive four IV infusions over 10 days of either 100 mg neridronate (400 mg total dose) or placebo followed by a post-treatment period through week 12. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in pain intensity from baseline to week 12 as measured on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale. Key secondary endpoints include other measures of pain reduction and patient reported outcomes. The program includes a registry for long-term outcomes and an opportunity for CRPS-RISE participants with active disease who completed the study to receive neridronate.

(Press release, Werewolf Therapeutics, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670281])

Ipsen completes acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, strengthening late-stage Oncology pipeline

On August 21, 2026 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported it has completed the acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company adding late-stage MDM2 inhibitor navtemadlin in Phase III clinical development in myelofibrosis.

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!

About navtemadlin
Navtemadlin is an investigational oral MDM2 inhibitor being developed as an add-on therapy to ruxolitinib for patients with myelofibrosis who have a suboptimal response to ruxolitinib. The Phase III POIESIS study is evaluating whether the addition of navtemadlin could improve clinical outcomes compared with ruxolitinib alone in this patient population. Early clinical data demonstrate navtemadlin has the potential to transform suboptimal responses to standard of care ruxolitinib into clinically meaningful responses in patients with intermediate and high risk TP53wt myelofibrosis, to provide both enhanced clinical outcomes and potential disease-modifying benefit.

About myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm, frequently linked to alterations in the JAK/STAT pathway, in which patients develop bone marrow fibrosis due to the abnormal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and secretion of fibrogenic cytokines. As marrow function declines, blood production shifts to other organs, most often the spleen, leading to splenomegaly. Myelofibrosis is characterized by bone marrow failure, fibrosis, splenomegaly and a high symptom burden that can significantly affect quality of life, including fatigue, night sweats and other progressive symptoms. It also carries a risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. The median age at diagnosis is approximately 67–69 years and the condition affects around 1.5 per 100,000 people in the U.S. and Europe. Approximately 75–89% of patients are intermediate- or high-risk at diagnosis and more than 95% are TP53wt. Ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, is the first-line standard of care; however, it is estimated that a significant proportion of patients have an initial suboptimal response and approximately 50%-75% discontinue treatment after three years. Median overall survival is typically one to two years after treatment discontinuation, underscoring the need for new strategies that can increase the number of patients that can achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

(Press release, Ipsen, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670270])

AbbVie to Present New Data at WCLC 2026 Showcasing Innovation Across Lung Cancer Pipeline

On August 21, 2026 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported new data highlighting research programs across its lung cancer portfolio being presented at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The presentations span clinical, translational and real-world data across next-generation immunotherapies and targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), designed to generate insights into treatment burden, patient experience and biomarker identification that may help inform future research.

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!

"Our strategy in lung cancer is focused on building a complementary pipeline that brings together next-generation immunotherapies and targeted antibody-drug conjugates with the potential to address different aspects of tumor biology," said Daejin Abidoye, M.D., vice president and therapeutic area head of oncology, solid tumor and hematology at AbbVie. "Exploring the PD-1/VEGF approach represented by ABBV-1480 and the c-Met targeting by Temab-A are important elements of that strategy and may provide a foundation for potential novel combinations as we work to develop more tailored treatment approaches for people living with lung cancer."

Advancing Novel Therapies Across Various Modalities in NSCLC
Multiple presentations across AbbVie’s NSCLC portfolio will showcase new studies and data analyses spanning multiple treatment modalities, highlighting first-line treatment approaches, patient experience and biomarker-informed research.

ABBV-1480 (RC148): AbbVie, in partnership with RemeGen, will present Phase 1b data evaluating the investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, ABBV-1480, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy as a potential first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC. At the 10 mg/kg dose, identified as the recommended Phase 3 dose for further development in combination regimens in both squamous and non-squamous NSCLC, the primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR) was 90.0% in squamous NSCLC (n=27/30) and 75.9% (n=22/29) in non-squamous NSCLC. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were a decrease in white blood cells, neutrophil, platelet counts and anemia. No grade ≥3 hemorrhages with the 10 mg combinations were observed. This overall manageable safety profile supports ongoing Phase 3 development for this novel investigational asset.1

Telisotuzumab adizutecan (Temab-A), an investigational c-Met-directed ADC with a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (Top1i) payload: Building on encouraging preliminary activity2 observed in heavily pretreated patients, AbbVie initiated a Phase 1b/2 M24-536 study (NCT06772623). The study is evaluating a platinum-free combination of Temab-A and a PD-1 inhibitor, as a potential first-line treatment for advanced non-squamous NSCLC. The study includes analyses of c-Met and PD-L1 expression to identify the patients most likely to benefit from treatment.3 Temab-A is also being studied in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC as monotherapy or in combination with osimertinib (NCT07155187).
Clinical Data Showcasing the Potential of ABBV-706 in SCLC
ABBV-706 is an investigational SEZ6-targeted ADC with a Top1i payload, being evaluated in SCLC. Presentations at WCLC include research that further characterizes the program and the potential role of SEZ6 in SCLC.

As previously reported, ABBV-706 demonstrated an ORR of 82% in patients with relapsed/refractory SCLC post platinum-based chemotherapy (n=17).4 New safety analyses from 240 patients who received ABBV-706 monotherapy showed generally manageable hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities, with the most common gastrointestinal events, including nausea (35.8%), vomiting (17.5%) and diarrhea (10.8%), being largely low grade and most requiring no dose adjustments.5 Grade ≥3 treatment-related pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease was reported in 1.7% of patients receiving ABBV-706 monotherapy.6 Hematologic toxicities, including anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, were among the most common TRAEs.5 Serious TRAEs occurred in 12.5% of patients. ABBV-706 is being evaluated as monotherapy in a Phase 3 study (NCT07365241) and in combination with atezolizumab in the Phase 2 study (NCT07155174), in SCLC.

Real-world research demonstrated that SEZ6 is broadly expressed in 91% of SCLC patients overall and in more than 96% of patients with brain or liver metastases. These findings further support SEZ6 as a potential therapeutic target in SCLC and other SEZ6-expressing tumors. 7
Additional details on key presentations are available below, and the full WCLC 2026 abstracts are available online.

For information about AbbVie’s clinical trial efforts in lung cancer, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Title

Date/Time

Session

Abstract Number

Radiomic Biomarkers on Baseline CT

Scans for Predicting Response to

Teliso-V in NSCLC: A Machine

Learning Approach

Monday,
September 14

10:30AM-12:00PM KST

Poster

Session: P2.077-248.

Pathology and
Biomarkers

P2.137.

Telisotuzumab Adizutecan and PD-1 Inhibitor

in Untreated Advanced Non-Squamous

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase

1b/2 Study

Monday,
September 14

10:30AM-12:00PM KST

Poster

Session: P2.304-390.

Clinical Trials in
Progress

P2.374.

Efficacy and Safety of ABBV-706 Versus

Standard of Care in Relapsed/Refractory

Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase 3 Study

Monday,
September 14

10:30AM-12:00PM KST

Poster

Session: P2.304-390.

Clinical Trials in
Progress

P2.377.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial

of RC148 (ABBV-1480) Plus Chemotherapy

in First-Line Squamous Non-Small-Cell

Lung Cancer

Monday,

September 14

10:30AM-12:00PM KST

Poster

Session: P2.304-390.

Clinical Trials in
Progress

P2.379.

Peripheral Neuropathy With Teliso-V in

c-Met- Protein Overexpressing NSCLC

in LUMINOSITY: Clinical Characteristics

and PROs

Monday,

September 14

2:17-2:25 PM KST

Poster

Session: PT2.01.

Metastatic
NSCLC –
Antibody-Drug
Conjugate and
Cytotoxic
Therapy

PT2.01.05.

Telisotuzumab vedotin Demonstrates Potent

Antitumor Efficacy in Preclinical Models of

Diffuse Pleural Mesothelioma

Monday,

September 14

2:17-2:25 PM KST

Poster

Session: PT2.05.

Mesothelioma,
Thymoma, and
Other Thoracic
Tumors

PT2.05.05.

Hematologic and Gastrointestinal Toxicity of

ABBV-706 in Advanced Solid Tumors: Safety

Profile from the First-in-Human Study

Tuesday,

September 15

9:30-11:00 AM KST

Poster

Session: P3.282-354.

Small Cell Lung
Cancer and
Neuroendocrine
Tumors

P3.316.

SEZ6 Is Expressed Across Major Clinical and

Demographic Groups of SCLC Patients:

Evidence From a US Clinicogenomic

Database

Tuesday,

September 15

9:30 AM-11:00 AM KST

Poster

Session: P3.282-354.

Small Cell Lung
Cancer and
Neuroendocrine
Tumors

P3.340.

RC148 (ABBV-1480, PD-1/VEGF Bispecific

Antibody) Plus Chemotherapy in First-Line

Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small-

Cell Lung Cancer

Tuesday,

September 15

12:52-1:02 PM KST

Oral Presentation

Session: OA14.

The Breakthrough
Immunotherapy
for Advanced
NSCLC

OA14.01.03.

High Burden and Limited Evidence in Late-

Line ES-SCLC: A Structured Review of

Clinical and Humanistic Outcomes

E-Poster

EP13 Small Cell
Lung Cancer and
Neuroendocrine
Tumors

EP13.05.

Pneumonitis/Interstitial Lung Disease in the

First-in-Human ABBV-706 Study: Incidence,

Management, and Risk Factors

E-Poster

EP13 Small Cell
Lung Cancer and
Neuroendocrine
Tumors

EP13.32.

Telisotuzumab adizutecan (Temab-A) and ABBV-706 are investigational medicines and are not approved by any health authorities worldwide. The safety and efficacy of these investigational medicines are under evaluation as part of ongoing clinical studies.

AbbVie holds exclusive rights from RemeGen to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ABBV-1480 outside of the Greater China territory.

Emrelis (telisotuzumab vedotin-tllv) is an approved medicine being investigated for additional uses. Safety and efficacy have not been established for these unapproved additional uses.

(Press release, AbbVie, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670272])