On August 13, 2024 Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Candel or the Company) (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing multimodal biological immunotherapies to help patients fight cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Candel Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234645800]).

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!

"The second quarter of 2024 represented a pivotal period for Candel, characterized by robust clinical advancements and key regulatory successes, that further validate our innovative approach to cancer immunotherapy," said Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Candel. "Our encouraging overall survival phase 2 data for CAN-2409 highlights the potential of our lead candidate to address a significant unmet need for non-small cell lung cancer patients, who are non-responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, and for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, the FDA granting orphan drug designation for CAN-3110 in recurrent high-grade glioma underscores the promise of this first-in-class, novel asset developed for difficult-to-treat cancers."

Dr. Tak continued, "Our inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index also marks a significant milestone in Candel’s growth and offers an opportunity to increase our recognition within the investment community. These achievements, coupled with a successful R&D event at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), have set a strong foundation as we approach several key readouts in the latter half of 2024."

Second Quarter 2024 & Recent Highlights

•
Program Updates
o
CAN-2409 – Pancreatic Cancer

▪
In early April, announced positive updated survival data from the phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial of CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir (prodrug), together with standard of care (SoC) chemoradiation, in borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

▪
Data showed notable improvements in estimated median overall survival (mOS) of 28.8 months after experimental treatment with CAN-2409 versus 12.5 months in control group.

▪
At 24 months, survival rate was 71.4% in CAN-2409 treated patients after chemoradiation and prior to surgery versus 16.7% in the control group. At 36 months, estimated survival was 47.6% in the CAN-2409 group after chemoradiation and prior to surgery versus 16.7% in the control group.

▪
No new safety signals were observed, providing further support that multiple injections of CAN-2409 have been generally well-tolerated to date, with no dose-limiting toxicities and no cases of pancreatitis reported.

▪
Analysis of resected tumors showed the formation of dense aggregates of immune cells, including CD8+, cytotoxic tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and dendritic cells, within the tumor microenvironment after CAN-2409 administration, confirming the activation of a robust antitumoral immune response.

▪
Received orphan drug designation from the FDA for CAN-2409 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

o
CAN-2409 – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer ▪
Presented topline overall survival data from the phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir in combination with continued immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC inadequately responding to ICI therapy at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
▪
Data showed mOS of 20.6 months in patients with progressive disease despite ICI treatment compared to published results of less than 12 months with SoC docetaxel-based chemotherapy in similar patient populations.1
▪
CAN-2409 treatment resulted in activation of the systemic immune response after two administrations of CAN-2409, including increased numbers of circulating cytotoxic and memory T cells associated with subsequent prolonged survival.
▪
As of the April 1, 2024 data cut-off date, CAN-2409 treatment in NSCLC continued to exhibit a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
o
CAN-3110 – Recurrent High-Grade Glioma
▪
Received orphan drug designation from the FDA for CAN-3110 for the treatment of rHGG.
▪
Presented a Trial-in-Progress poster at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on the ongoing phase 1b clinical trial exploring multiple doses of CAN-3110 in patients with rHGG.
o
enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform
▪
Presented preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting unveiling the second candidate from the enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform, a first-in-class multimodal immunotherapy candidate to induce tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), being developed as a novel therapeutic for solid tumors.
•
Corporate Updates

o
Hosted successful NSCLC Research and Development panel during the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, featuring prominent scientific and medical thought leaders discussing the topline overall survival data from the phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 in NSCLC.

o
Announced inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index, effective July 1, 2024, as part of FTSE Russell’s annual reconstitution of its U.S. equity indexes.

Anticipated Milestones

•
Updated phase 1b data (Arm C) for CAN-3110 in rHGG expected in H2 2024.
•
Phase 2b topline data for CAN-2409 in low-to-intermediate-risk, localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer expected in Q4 2024.
•
Phase 3 topline disease-free survival data for CAN-2409 in localized intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer expected in Q4 2024.
Financial Results for Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $5.9 million for the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower clinical development costs driven by a reduction in regulatory, manufacturing and clinical trial costs for CAN-2409 programs and lower payroll-related expenses following the corporate restructuring in the fourth quarter of 2023. These decreases were partially offset by increased stock-based compensation expense. Research and development expenses included non-cash stock compensation expense of $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $3.6 million for both the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023. There was a small decrease, primarily due to lower insurance costs and recruiting costs. These decreases were partially offset by increased professional and consulting fees. General and administrative expenses included non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.6 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Net Loss: Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $22.2 million, compared to a net loss of $9.6 million for the second quarter of 2023, and included other expense, net of $13.7 million and $35,000, respectively, primarily due to the change in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents, as of June 30, 2024, were $21.5 million, as compared to $35.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Based on current plans and assumptions, the Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into the first quarter of 2025.

On August 13, 2024 Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Candel or the Company) (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing multimodal biological immunotherapies to help patients fight cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Candel Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234645793]).

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!

"The second quarter of 2024 represented a pivotal period for Candel, characterized by robust clinical advancements and key regulatory successes, that further validate our innovative approach to cancer immunotherapy," said Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Candel. "Our encouraging overall survival phase 2 data for CAN-2409 highlights the potential of our lead candidate to address a significant unmet need for non-small cell lung cancer patients, who are non-responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, and for patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, the FDA granting orphan drug designation for

CAN-3110 in recurrent high-grade glioma underscores the promise of this first-in-class, novel asset developed for difficult-to-treat cancers."

Dr. Tak continued, "Our inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index also marks a significant milestone in Candel’s growth and offers an opportunity to increase our recognition within the investment community. These achievements, coupled with a successful R&D event at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), have set a strong foundation as we approach several key readouts in the latter half of 2024."

Second Quarter 2024 & Recent Highlights

•Program Updates
oCAN-2409 – Pancreatic Cancer

▪In early April, announced positive updated survival data from the phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial of CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir (prodrug), together with standard of care (SoC) chemoradiation, in borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

▪Data showed notable improvements in estimated median overall survival (mOS) of 28.8 months after experimental treatment with CAN-2409 versus 12.5 months in control group.

▪At 24 months, survival rate was 71.4% in CAN-2409 treated patients after chemoradiation and prior to surgery versus 16.7% in the control group. At 36 months, estimated survival was 47.6% in the CAN-2409 group after chemoradiation and prior to surgery versus 16.7% in the control group.

▪No new safety signals were observed, providing further support that multiple injections of CAN-2409 have been generally well-tolerated to date, with no dose-limiting toxicities and no cases of pancreatitis reported.

▪Analysis of resected tumors showed the formation of dense aggregates of immune cells, including CD8+, cytotoxic tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and dendritic cells, within the tumor microenvironment after CAN-2409 administration, confirming the activation of a robust antitumoral immune response.

▪Received orphan drug designation from the FDA for CAN-2409 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

oCAN-2409 – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

▪Presented topline overall survival data from the phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 plus valacyclovir in combination with continued immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC inadequately responding to ICI therapy at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
▪Data showed mOS of 20.6 months in patients with progressive disease despite ICI treatment compared to published results of less than 12 months with SoC docetaxel-based chemotherapy in similar patient populations.1
▪CAN-2409 treatment resulted in activation of the systemic immune response after two administrations of CAN-2409, including increased numbers of circulating cytotoxic and memory T cells associated with subsequent prolonged survival.
▪As of the April 1, 2024 data cut-off date, CAN-2409 treatment in NSCLC continued to exhibit a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
oCAN-3110 – Recurrent High-Grade Glioma
▪Received orphan drug designation from the FDA for CAN-3110 for the treatment of rHGG.
▪Presented a Trial-in-Progress poster at the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on the ongoing phase 1b clinical trial exploring multiple doses of CAN-3110 in patients with rHGG.
oenLIGHTEN Discovery Platform
▪Presented preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting unveiling the second candidate from the enLIGHTEN Discovery Platform, a first-in-class multimodal immunotherapy candidate to induce tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), being developed as a novel therapeutic for solid tumors.
•Corporate Updates

oHosted successful NSCLC Research and Development panel during the 2024 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, featuring prominent scientific and medical thought leaders discussing the topline overall survival data from the phase 2 clinical trial of CAN-2409 in NSCLC.

oAnnounced inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index, effective July 1, 2024, as part of FTSE Russell’s annual reconstitution of its U.S. equity indexes.
Anticipated Milestones

•Updated phase 1b data (Arm C) for CAN-3110 in rHGG expected in H2 2024.
•Phase 2b topline data for CAN-2409 in low-to-intermediate-risk, localized, non-metastatic prostate cancer expected in Q4 2024.
•Phase 3 topline disease-free survival data for CAN-2409 in localized intermediate/high-risk prostate cancer expected in Q4 2024.
Financial Results for Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $5.9 million for the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower clinical development costs driven by a reduction in regulatory, manufacturing and clinical trial costs for CAN-2409 programs and lower payroll-related expenses following the corporate restructuring in the fourth quarter of 2023. These decreases were partially offset by increased stock-based compensation expense. Research and development expenses included non-cash stock compensation expense of $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2023.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $3.6 million for both the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2023. There was a small decrease, primarily due to lower insurance costs and recruiting costs. These decreases were partially offset by increased professional and consulting fees. General and administrative expenses included non-cash stock compensation expense of $0.6 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Net Loss: Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $22.2 million, compared to a net loss of $9.6 million for the second quarter of 2023, and included other expense, net of $13.7 million and $35,000, respectively, primarily due to the change in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents, as of June 30, 2024, were $21.5 million, as compared to $35.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Based on current plans and assumptions, the Company expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into the first quarter of 2025.

On August 13, 2024 Bolt Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: BOLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a business update (Press release, Bolt Biotherapeutics, AUG 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234645792]).

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!

"During the second quarter, we continued to make significant progress across our two programs, BDC-3042 and BDC-4182, following our strategic pipeline prioritization in May," said Willie Quinn, Chief Executive Officer. "For our lead program BDC-3042, we completed the safety evaluation period for cohort 5 with no dose-limiting toxicities. BDC-3042 continues to be well tolerated to date, and we are now enrolling patients into cohort 6. We will be presenting a poster on BDC-4182, our claudin 18.2-targeting BoltbodyTM ISAC, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 39th Annual Meeting, and we look forward to sharing more data on this program in November. I’m proud that the team has not missed a beat working through our strategic pipeline prioritization and restructuring. Our strong cash position allows us to move these programs through early clinical development and provides us with cash runway through mid-2026."

Recent Highlights and Anticipated Milestones
•Advanced to cohort 6 in the Phase 1 study of BDC-3042 in patients with advanced cancers. BDC-3042 is a proprietary agonist antibody that targets Dectin-2, an immune-activating receptor expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). This single-agent, dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical study is evaluating BDC-3042 in patients with metastatic or unresectable triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), colorectal cancer, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, or melanoma.
•Preparing BDC-4182 to start clinical trials in 2025. BDC-4182 is a next-generation BoltbodyTM ISAC clinical candidate targeting claudin 18.2, a novel, clinically validated target in oncology with expression in gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other tumor types. BDC-4182 has advanced into IND-enabling activities, supported by in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity in multiple preclinical models. A poster on BDC-4182 will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 39th Annual Meeting, which will take place from November 6-10, 2024, in Houston, Texas.

•Collaborations with Genmab and Toray continue to progress. The Company continues to work with its collaborators to discover and develop ISACs for the treatment of cancer. Recent developments with Genmab supported the extension of the original initial research phase of the collaboration.
•Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $97.5 million as of June 30, 2024. Cash on hand is expected to fund multiple milestones and operations through mid-2026.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

•Collaboration Revenue – Collaboration revenue was $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1.4 million for the same quarter in 2023. Revenue in the comparative periods was generated from services performed under R&D collaborations as we fulfill our performance obligations.

•Research and Development (R&D) Expenses – R&D expenses were $15.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $15.6 million for the same quarter in 2023.

•General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses – G&A expenses were $4.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.6 million for the same quarter in 2023. The decrease between the comparable periods was mainly due to a decrease in salary and related expenses primarily due to a decrease in bonus expense as a result of the restructuring plan.

•Restructuring Charges – Restructuring charges were $3.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, consisting of $2.9 million of one-time termination benefits such as severance costs and related benefits and $0.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense as a result of the restructuring plan. There were no restructuring charges in the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

•Loss from Operations – Loss from operations was $22.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $19.8 million for the same quarter in 2023.

About the Boltbody Immune-Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) Platform
Bolt Biotherapeutics’ Boltbody ISAC platform harnesses the precision of antibodies with the power of the innate and adaptive immune system to generate a productive anti-cancer response. Each Boltbody ISAC candidate comprises a tumor-targeting antibody, a non-cleavable linker, and a proprietary immune stimulant. The antibody is designed to target one or more markers on the surface of a tumor cell and the immune stimulant is designed to recruit and activate myeloid cells. Activated myeloid cells initiate a positive feedback loop by releasing cytokines and chemokines, chemical signals that attract other immune cells and lower the activation threshold for an immune response. This increases the population of activated immune system cells in the tumor microenvironment and promotes a robust immune response with the goal of generating durable therapeutic responses for patients with cancer.

On August 12, 2024 Biogen Inc. (the "Company") reported to have entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer, and the lenders party thereto (the "Credit Agreement") (Filing, 8-K, Biogen, AUG 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234645889]). The Credit Agreement provides for a $1.5 billion five-year unsecured, revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility includes borrowing capacity in the form of letters of credit of up to $25.0 million and $20.0 million in swing line loans.

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!

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are available for general corporate purposes. No proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility were drawn down as of the closing date of the Credit Agreement.

Revolving loans under the Credit Agreement (other than swing line loans) will bear interest at rate per annum equal to (i) Term SOFR, with respect to revolving loans denominated in dollars, (ii) EURIBOR, with respect to revolving loans denominated in euros, (iii) TIBOR, with respect to revolving loans denominated in yen, (iv) SONIA, with respect to revolving loans denominated in sterling, and (v) SARON, with respect to revolving loans denominated in Swiss francs, in each case, subject to a floor of 0.00% per annum, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.625% to 1.375% depending on the ratings of the Company’s non-credit enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt, as determined by either Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s (the "Debt Ratings") or, at the Company’s option, with respect to revolving loans denominated in dollars, a Base Rate equal to the higher of (i) the Bank of America prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (iii) Term SOFR plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 0.00% per annum (the "Base Rate"), plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.000% to 0.375% based on the Company’s Debt Ratings. Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable margin for Base Rate loans.

In addition to paying interest on any outstanding principal under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company will pay (i) a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder and (ii) customary letter of credit fees and agency fees. The commitment fees range from 0.050% to 0.150% per annum based on the Company’s Debt Ratings.

The Revolving Credit Facility will terminate and all amounts outstanding thereunder are due and payable five years after the closing date, subject to certain extension options as set forth in the Credit Agreement. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, voluntary prepayments are permitted, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs. The Revolving Credit Facility requires quarterly interest payments or, in the case of borrowings that bear interest by reference to a term rate, at the end of the interest period therefor, with the principal due on the maturity date.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The Credit Agreement also includes a financial covenant requiring the Company to maintain, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.0 (which may be temporarily increased to 4.25 to 1.0 upon the election of the Company as a result of a material acquisition, subject to customary limitations).

A copy of the Credit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Credit Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

On August 12, 2024 Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) ("Summit," "we," or the "Company") reported that the primary analysis of the Phase III HARMONi-2 trial featuring its novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, will be presented as part of the Presidential Symposium at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s (IASLC) 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2024) in San Diego, California (Press release, Summit Therapeutics, AUG 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234645757]). The presentation will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 8:37 am PT (11:37 am ET).

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!

HARMONi-2 evaluated monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 TPS >1%). HARMONi-2 is a single region, multi-center, double-blinded Phase III study conducted in China sponsored by our collaboration partner, Akeso, Inc. (Akeso, HKEX Code: 9926.HK), with data generated and analyzed by Akeso.

There are no known Phase III clinical trials in NSCLC that have shown a statistically significant efficacy improvement compared to pembrolizumab in a head-to-head setting.

On May 30, 2024, Akeso announced that in HARMONi-2 ivonescimab monotherapy achieved a statistically significant improvement in the trial’s primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), when compared to monotherapy pembrolizumab. The PFS benefit was demonstrated across clinical subgroups, including those with PD-L1 low expression (PD-L1 TPS 1-49%), PD-L1 high expression (PD-L1 TPS ≥50%), squamous and non-squamous histologies, as well as other high-risk patients.

The trial results will be presented by Dr. Caicun Zhou, Chief Physician and Director of the Department of Medical Oncology at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, and President-Elect of IASLC.

A second presentation titled, "A Phase II Study of Perioperative Ivonescimab Alone or Combined with Chemotherapy in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer" will include data from the Phase II trial, AK112-205, which is conducted and sponsored by Akeso, featuring data from ivonescimab in the perioperative, early-stage NSCLC setting.

About the WCLC 2024 Presentations

First Presentation

Presentation Title: Phase 3 Study of Ivonescimab (AK112) vs. Pembrolizumab as First-line Treatment for PD-L1-positive Advanced NSCLC: Primary Analysis of HARMONi-2

Presenter: Caicun Zhou, MD, PhD

WCLC Presentation No.: PL02.04

Session Date & Time: Sunday, September 8, 8:37 am PT (11:37 am ET)

Second Presentation

Presentation Title: A Phase II Study of Perioperative Ivonescimab Alone or Combined with Chemotherapy in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Presenter: Xiaoliang Zhao, MD

WCLC Presentation No.: OA01.06

Session Date & Time: Sunday, September 8, 11:17 am PT (2:17 pm ET)

About Ivonescimab

Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, including Mexico and all countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa, and as AK112 in China and Australia, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. Ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity when in the presence of both PD-1 and VEGF.

This could differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Ivonescimab’s tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the tumor microenvironment with over 18-fold increased binding affinity to PD-1 in the presence of VEGF in vitro, and over 4-times increased binding affinity to VEGF in the presence of PD-1 in vitro (Zhong, et al, SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), 2023). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days (Zhong, et. al., SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), 2023), is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, as well as to improve upon side effects and safety profiles associated with these targets.

Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently engaged in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Over 1,800 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally.

Summit has begun its clinical development of ivonescimab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multi-regional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3.

HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial which intends to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib).

HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial which is designed to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic squamous NSCLC.

In addition, Akeso has recently had positive read-outs in two single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials for ivonescimab in NSCLC, HARMONi-A and HARMONi-2.

HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI.

HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 TPS >1%).

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was approved for marketing authorization in China in May 2024.