Akeso's Ivonescimab Shows 34% Death Risk Cut at ASCO | Pharma and Biotech Daily
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into a range of fascinating advancements in the industry, each with significant implications for future patient care and drug development.
At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 conference, Akeso's ivonescimab, a pioneering PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibody, demonstrated a 34% reduction in death risk when combined with chemotherapy for first-line lung cancer treatment. This marks a pivotal moment in cancer therapeutics, illustrating how bispecific antibodies can enhance treatment efficacy. The evolving landscape of cancer treatment continues to highlight the importance of these innovative approaches.
Johnson & Johnson's Erleada has shown promising results in prostate cancer, achieving positive outcomes in its Phase 3 Proteus study. The trial emphasized the efficacy of Erleada when administered perioperatively to prostate cancer patients, indicating a shift towards more personalized and comprehensive care that incorporates targeted therapies before and after surgery.
In another significant breakthrough, Lilly's Retemvo exhibited dramatic results in early-stage lung cancer with RET fusion-positive markers, reducing disease progression or death by 83% as adjuvant therapy. This underscores the critical role of molecularly targeted therapies for patients with specific genetic profiles, offering hope for improved survival outcomes.
On the frontlines of infectious diseases, Shionogi’s COVID-19 antiviral Xocova has received FDA approval as a post-exposure prophylactic. This milestone highlights the challenging yet dynamic landscape of antiviral drug development, offering a new tool in managing COVID-19 exposures after previous challenges in demonstrating effectiveness as a treatment.
MannKind's inhaled insulin, Afrezza, has been approved for pediatric use. This approval could rejuvenate its market presence by providing a more convenient insulin delivery system aimed at improving adherence and glycemic control among younger patients.
In oncology news, Pfizer’s Talzenna combination therapy received broader FDA approval for castration-sensitive prostate cancer. This positions it as a competitive option against Johnson & Johnson's PARP inhibitor combination therapy. Additionally, AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi and Imjudo combination showed promise in early-stage liver cancer by reducing disease progression risks by 30%, broadening immunotherapy applications.
The market dynamics are also shifting with significant strategic movements like Eli Lilly’s acquisition of Kelonia Therapeutics for $3.2 billion. This decision is driven by promising in vivo CAR-T data demonstrating unprecedented response rates and reflects the increasing importance of innovative CAR-T therapies in oncology. Eli Lilly's Kelonia Therapeutics' cell therapy showcased an impressive 100% response rate in a Phase 1 trial for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This CAR-T therapy targets the BCMA antigen and could revolutionize treatment paradigms by offering more effective responses.
Meanwhile, Pfizer's transformative research on RAS inhibitors holds potential to redefine treatment paradigms in pancreatic cancer—a notoriously difficult-to-treat type due to its complex biology. Revolution Medicines aims to maintain its leadership within this space amidst growing competition. Revolution Medicines also reported compelling results with their KRAS inhibitor, which nearly doubles survival rates for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients harboring KRAS mutations. Given the historically poor prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer, these findings represent a significant advancement in managing this aggressive type.
In ovarian cancer research, Gilead’s TUB-040 demonstrated a 61% tumor response rate for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in a Phase 1 trial. This highlights the potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve outcomes in difficult-to-treat cancers.
Regulatory updates include Johnson & Johnson receiving FDA label expansion for Tremfya to inhibit structural joint damage in active psoriatic arthritis patients. This expansion provides broader treatment options for patients suffering from debilitating conditions by reinforcing the role of IL-23 inhibitors in autoimmune disease management.
Strategic partnerships are also shaping drug development's future landscape. Notably, Servier's acquisition of Edgewise Therapeutics' muscular dystrophy unit underscores growing focus on rare diseases and neuromuscular disorders. Eli Lilly’s agreements with Haisco Pharmaceutical and Hanmi Pharm reflect ongoing R&D investments aimed at expanding therapeutic portfolios across various indications.
These developments illustrate a broader trend toward personalized medicine and targeted therapies that enhance treatment efficacy by leveraging specific genetic or molecular characteristics. Despite advancements, challenges remain as exemplified by Oculis' OCS-01 failing Phase 3 trials for diabetic macular edema—highlighting inherent risks in drug development.
Overall, these updates underscore significant scientific progress and promise improvements in patient outcomes through novel therapeutic approaches and collaborative efforts within this vibrant industry landscape.