A hotly debated lung cancer drug cut the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage trial in China Ivonescimab, an experimental bispecific antibody drug for lung cancer, demonstrated a 34% reduction in the risk of death and a median survival increase of four months when combined with chemotherapy in a late-stage trial conducted in China. While these results are encouraging, experts highlight the need for further investigation into its efficacy in global patient populations, given historical differences in treatment responses between China and Western countries. The drug’s safety profile appears comparable to existing treatments, though bleeding events were more frequent in the ivonescimab group.

• Ivonescimab, developed by Akeso and Summit Therapeutics, reduced the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage lung cancer trial in China.
• The drug, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, extended median survival by four months when combined with chemotherapy compared to standard treatment.
• Experts are cautiously optimistic but question the applicability of the China-specific trial results to global patient populations.
• Concerns exist about potential safety issues, particularly increased bleeding events, although the drug’s safety is described as comparable to existing treatments.
• The success of ivonescimab could impact the market dominated by drugs like Merck’s Keytruda, though many believe it won’t fully replace current mainstays.