Hengrui Medicine won NMPA clearance for a Phase II NSCLC trial combining SHR-A2009 ADC with adebrelimab or EGFR-TKI, and with partner Kailera reported up to 12.1% weight loss in a Phase II obesity study of oral ribupatide. SHR-A2009 monotherapy NDA is under review for NSCLC, and cumulative R&D on SHR-A2009 has reached RMB 330 million.
Akeso reported overall survival benefit for ivonescimab plus chemotherapy in Phase III lung cancer study. The company enrolled first patient in Phase Ib/II trial of next-generation HER3 ADC AK138D1 for advanced breast cancer. Akeso also received China approval to start Phase II trials for AK139 bispecific antibody.
BioNTech presented phase 2 data for HER2-directed ADC Trastuzumab Pamirtecan showing 47.9% response rate in endometrial cancer, with FDA submission planned for 2026. BioLineRx dosed first patient in phase 1/2a GLIX1 trial for glioblastoma and reported new preclinical data. Both companies presented at ASCO 2026.
European biotechs are exploring new immunotherapy targets beyond PD-1/PD-L1, including BTLA, TIGIT, and SLAMF6. Lund University researchers discovered a SLAMF6-mediated immune evasion mechanism. BioNTech and GenMab are advancing next-generation ICIs and bispecific antibodies through strategic partnerships.
Multiple phase 3 breast cancer trials reported significant findings in early 2026, including positive results for novel therapies across different subtypes. Key data includes progression-free survival benefits for palbociclib in HR-positive, HER2-positive advanced breast cancer and investigations of antibody-drug conjugates and combination therapies. Full trial findings are expected to be presented at upcoming medical meetings.
Over 20 pharmaceutical companies are developing therapies for HER2-positive gastric cancer, with multiple Phase III trials launched in March 2026 testing novel combination treatments for advanced disease.
Recent developments in breast cancer treatment include new clinical trials for advanced disease, findings on CDK4/6 inhibitor sequencing, and discovery of genetic markers explaining drug resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.
Izalontamab brengitecan demonstrated statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with previously treated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, marking the third Phase III success for the bispecific ADC.
Former Novartis executive John Tsai has been appointed global head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, replacing Ken Takeshita effective April 1. Tsai brings over 25 years of leadership experience in drug development.
