On September 15, 2025 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved Optune Lua for concurrent use with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced/recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy (Press release, NovoCure, SEP 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234655984]).

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"With the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approval granted to Optune Lua, we now have a new treatment option available to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer," said Dr. Tetsuya Mitsudomi, President, Izumi City General Hospital. "The Phase 3 LUNAR trial showed that use of Optune Lua resulted in improved overall survival rates without severe side effects, resulting in a significant benefit for patients with this aggressive disease."

Optune Lua is a wearable, portable medical device that produces alternating electric fields known as Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), which are delivered through non-invasive, wearable arrays. TTFields exert physical forces on the electrically charged components of dividing cancer cells, resulting in cancer cell death.

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and unfortunately, in Japan the number of cases continue to increase, which is why we see an urgent need for innovative treatment options for this disease," said Frank Leonard, President, Novocure. "Novocure is focused on launching Optune Lua as quickly as possible in Japan so that patients with non-small cell lung cancer experiencing a progression after initial platinum-based treatment have access to our therapy."

Data Supporting the Optune Lua Approval

The MHLW approval was supported by the Phase 3 LUNAR trial, a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study that compared the use of Optune Lua concurrent with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel (experimental arm) to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel alone (control arm) for patients with metastatic NSCLC who progressed during or after platinum-based therapy.

The primary endpoint of the study was achieved demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 3.3-month (P=0.04) extension in median overall survival (OS) for patients treated with Optune Lua concurrently with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor or docetaxel (n=145).

The group treated with Optune Lua concurrently with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor or docetaxel had a median OS of 13.2 months (95% CI, 10.3 to 15.5 months) compared to a median OS of 9.9 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 12.2 months) in the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor or docetaxel treated group (n=146).

The LUNAR study included two pre-specified powered secondary endpoints. The first secondary endpoint, which met statistical significance, assessed median OS in patients treated with Optune Lua concurrently with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor versus a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone. The second secondary endpoint, which showed a positive trend but did not meet statistical significance, assessed Optune Lua concurrently with docetaxel versus docetaxel alone.

Patients randomized to receive Optune Lua and a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor (n=70) demonstrated a median OS of 19.0 months (95% CI, 10.6 to 28.2 months) compared to a median OS of 10.8 months (95% CI, 8.3 to 17.6 months) in patients treated with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone (n=71), which was a statistically significant extension in median OS of more than 8.0 months (P=0.02).

Patients randomized to receive Optune Lua and docetaxel (n=75) had a median OS of 11.1 months (95% CI, 8.2 to 13.9 months) compared to a median OS of 8.9 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 11.3 months) in patients treated with docetaxel alone (n=75). This 2.2-month extension in median OS did not provide a statistically significant demonstrated benefit but did show a positive trend.

Device-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 63.1% of patients (n=89), these were skin-related disorders under the transducer arrays. The majority of these events were low grade (Grade 1 – 2), with only 4% (n=6) experiencing Grade 3 skin toxicity that required a break from treatment. There were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 toxicities related to Optune Lua, and no device-related AEs that caused death.

Baseline patient characteristics were well balanced between cohorts: median age was 65 years (range, 22-86); 66% male, 34% female; 96% of patients had an ECOG performance status of 0-1. PD-L1 expression data were collected from 83% of patients (69 of 83 patients) enrolled at U.S. sites and were well balanced across the four cohorts.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide1, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. It is estimated that approximately 120,000 patients are diagnosed with NSCLC each year in Japan.2

Physicians use different combinations of surgery, radiation and pharmacological therapies to treat NSCLC, depending on the stage of the disease. Surgery, which may be curative in a subset of patients, is usually used in early stages of the disease. Since 1991, radiation with a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs has been the first-line standard of care for locally advanced NSCLC. Certain immune checkpoint inhibitors, including both PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, have been approved for the first-line treatment of NSCLC and the standard of care in this setting continues to evolve rapidly.

About Tumor Treating Fields

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that exert physical forces to kill cancer cells via a variety of mechanisms. TTFields do not significantly affect healthy cells because they have different properties (including division rate, morphology, and electrical properties) than cancer cells. These multiple, distinct mechanisms work together to target and kill cancer cells. Due to these multimechanistic actions, TTFields therapy can be added to cancer treatment modalities in approved indications and demonstrates enhanced effects across solid tumor types when used with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, or targeted therapies in preclinical models. TTFields therapy provides clinical versatility that has the potential to help address treatment challenges across a range of solid tumors.

To learn more about TTFields therapy and its multifaceted effect on cancer cells, visit tumortreatingfields.com.

On September 15, 2025 IceCure Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICCM) ("IceCure", "IceCure Medical" or the "Company"), developer of minimally-invasive cryoablation technology that destroys tumors by freezing as an option to surgical tumor removal, reported it has received regulatory approval from the Medical Device Division of Israel’s Ministry of Health ("AMAR") for its next-generation single cryoprobe cryoablation system, the XSense System and CryoProbes (Press release, IceCure Medical, SEP 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234655982]).

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As of mid-2024, XSense and its cryoprobes have also received regulatory clearance in the United States from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for all of the indications for which ProSense, the Company’s flagship cryoablation system, has already received from the FDA.

"We believe that this latest regulatory approval for our next-generation cryoablation system reaffirms IceCure’s leadership position in liquid-nitrogen based cryoablation," stated IceCure’s Chief Executive Officer, Eyal Shamir. "The minimally invasive cryoablation option that we offer across a broad range of indications can de-escalate cancer care, reduce treatment costs for payers, and accelerate recovery time for patients."

"We are particularly pleased with the breast cancer indication approval in Israel, as we believe the growing body of evidence on cryoablation as a minimally invasive option for breast cancer supports accelerated commercial adoption," Shamir added.

XSense is now approved in Israel for all indications for which ProSense has already received approval in Israel, including general surgery, dermatology, neurology, including cryoanalgesia, thoracic surgery, ENT (ear, nose, throat), gynecology, oncology (including benign and malignant breast tumors), proctology and urology.

On September 15, 2025 Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) ("Akeso" or the "Company") reported that the first patient has been dosed in its global, multicenter, randomized Phase II registrational trial (COMPASSION-36/AK104-225) (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, SEP 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234655980]). The trial will evaluate cadonilimab, Akeso’s first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, in combination with lenvatinib versus lenvatinib alone for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients previously treated with atezolizumab (a PD-L1 inhibitor) and bevacizumab.

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COMPASSION-36 is the first global registrational Phase III trial of cadonilimab, currently ongoing in China, the U.S. and Europe. Its advancement represents a significant milestone in the global development and registration of cadonilimab, reflecting Akeso’s commitment to advancing cancer immunotherapy and addressing the limited survival benefits associated with single-target therapies.

Additional global multicenter registrational/Phase III clinical trials for cadonilimab are currently being prepared. Going forward, Akeso will continue to pursue a dual strategy of in-house development and open collaboration, leveraging high-quality global resources to accelerate the internationalization of cadonilimab and offer patients worldwide improved and more accessible treatment options.

Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitor (IO) combination therapies have become the standard first-line treatment for various advanced malignancies. However, for patients worldwide whose disease progresses after IO combination therapy, there is a lack of effective second-line treatment options. The very limited second-line treatment options for advanced malignancies drive the critical need to explore new therapeutic strategies. Cadonilimab-based combination therapies have shown substantial potential in overcoming IO resistance across multiple tumor types.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with approximately 865,000 new cases of liver cancer reported globally in 2022. The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (A+T regimen) is the standard first-line therapy for advanced HCC, as recommended by the NCCN guidelines. However, for patients whose disease progresses after first-line A+T treatment, there is currently no FDA-approved second-line therapy available in the U.S., and also no approved treatment options from the NMPA in China. This creates a significant unmet need in the clinical management of these patients.

The potential of cadonilimab for the treatment of HCC has been validated in multiple studies. The promising data from the combination of cadonilimab and pulocimab (anti-VEGFR-2) in treating IO-resistant lung cancer was recently presented as an oral presentation at WCLC 2025, generating widespread attention within the industry. At the 2023 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Asia Congress, a study was presented demonstrating that cadonilimab, combined with FOLFOX-HAIC as neoadjuvant therapy, achieved a 100% disease control rate (DCR) in patients with resectable multinodular HCC. Data presented at the 2023 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress revealed that the combination of cadonilimab and lenvatinib as first-line treatment for advanced HCC shows superior antitumor activity.

Akeso’s exploration of combination therapies with cadonilimab in the treatment of HCC offers a broad and effective approach to disease management. These combinations address both early and advanced stages of HCC and provide promising therapeutic options for a wide range of patients.

In addition to the international multicenter Phase II registrational study COMPASSION-36, patient enrollment for the Phase III clinical trial of cadonilimab as adjuvant therapy for high-risk recurrence following curative surgery for HCC has been completed. Furthermore, a Phase III registrational study of cadonilimab combined with lenvatinib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of intermediate to advanced unresectable HCC is currently ongoing.

On September 15, 2025 Akeso Inc. (9926.HK) reported that its proprietary next-generation humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting CD47, ligufalimab (AK117), has been granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, SEP 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234655979]).

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The Orphan Drug Designation is a program established by the FDA to incentivize the development of therapies for rare diseases. Drugs with this designation benefit from comprehensive FDA guidance during development, tax incentives, and up to seven years of market exclusivity upon approval.

Akeso is actively advancing the international clinical development for ligufalimab, which is being evaluated in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In addition to its application in AML, patient enrollment has been completed in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter Phase II study assessing ligufalimab combined with azacitidine in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS).

Ligufalimab is also the first CD47 monoclonal antibody to enter registrational Phase III trials in solid tumors. Two Phase III studies are currently ongoing: one evaluating the combination of ligufalimab and ivonescimab as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and another study assessing this combination as first-line therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of myeloid blasts in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and extramedullary tissues. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Treatment strategies for AML, as outlined in the NCCN Guidelines, are primarily based on whether patients are eligible for intensive induction chemotherapy. For those ineligible for such chemotherapy, treatment options remain limited.

The FDA has currently approved venetoclax in combination with azacitidine, decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for newly diagnosed AML patients aged 75 years or older, or for those with comorbidities that preclude intensive chemotherapy. However, more than half of these patients relapse within 6–9 months, with a median overall survival of approximately one year, highlighting a significant unmet clinical need.

Ligufalimab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to CD47 expressed on tumor cells, blocking its interaction with the SIRPα receptor. This disrupts the "don’t eat me" signal, thereby enhancing macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth. Ligufalimab’s unique design prevents red blood cell agglutination and demonstrates significantly improved safety and efficacy compared to other CD47-targeting agents.

Preclinical studies have shown that ligufalimab, when combined with azacitidine or venetoclax, synergistically enhances the expression of "eat me" signals (such as calreticulin), leading to more efficient activation of phagocytic immune responses. This combination may thus offer a promising treatment option for AML patients ineligible for standard induction chemotherapy.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that ligufalimab combined with azacitidine shows a favorable safety profile and promising efficacy in first-line AML treatment. Even at high doses (up to 45 mg/kg, administered biweekly), ligufalimab was well tolerated, with no significant safety differences observed across patient groups. The complete remission (CR) rate at the target dose reached 50%, and the composite complete remission (cCR) rate was 55%.

Building on these encouraging results, Akeso has launched a Phase II study to further investigate the safety and efficacy of ligufalimab in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine for first-line AML patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

On September 15, 2025 Biostar Pharma, Inc., the US subsidiary of Beijing Biostar Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. ("Biostar", Stock Code: 2563.HK) which is a synthetic biology driven biopharma company focusing on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative oncology drugs, reported that the first patients have been dosed for two phase II/III multiregional clinical trials (MRCT) of "Utidelone Capsule (UTD2) first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma" (NCT06841679) and "UTD2 treatment for platinum-resistant advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer" (NCT07044349) on September 11, 2025 and September 12, 2025, respectively (Press release, Biostar, SEP 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234655978]).

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Utidelone has demonstrated excellent clinical data in gastric cancer: in a completed Phase II study of Utidelone Injection (UTD1) combined with PD-1 inhibitor and oxaliplatin for the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic HER2-negative gastric cancer, 23 patients had completed efficacy evaluation. Among them, 15 achieved partial response (PR) and 8 achieved stable disease (SD), resulting in a 65.2% objective response rate (ORR) and 100% clinical benefit rate (CBR). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 6.1 months. The combination regimen was generally well-tolerated. Most treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were Grade 1-2, reversible, and manageable. The longest treatment duration received by a patient was 22 cycles [1]. Consequently, Utidelone was granted an Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

Besides gastric cancer, Utidelone has also shown considerable potential for treating ovarian cancer in previous clinical studies. A US Phase I clinical study of UTD2 as a monotherapy for advanced solid tumors had 12 evaluable patients, including one ovarian cancer patient with a complete response (CR) and another with PR, who had previously undergone 7 and 9 lines of therapy, respectively [2]. A Phase II clinical study of UTD1 as monotherapy for the treatment of advanced solid tumors had 10 evaluable patients in advanced ovarian cancer cohort, among them there were 1 PR and 3 SD.

Compared to taxanes, which are difficult for oral formulation development, Utidelone is not susceptible to P-glycoprotein thus cannot be pumped out of the cancer cell by P-glycoprotein and has the advantage for higher oral bioavailability and lower risk of developing cross-resistance. By utilizing its technology platform, Biostar developed Utidelone Capsule, and its efficacy and safety have been confirmed in both US and China’s studies. Utidelone Capsule will significantly improve the convenience of administration, compliance of patients, decrease in treatment cost and ease of combination therapy with other oral anti-cancer drugs, and more suitable for adjuvant or maintenance therapy. Beyond gastric and ovarian cancers, Biostar is actively planning and advancing multiple clinical studies to expand UTD2’s indications, including breast cancer adjuvant intensification therapy, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and so on.

About NCT06841679 Study

This study is a multi-national, open-label, randomized phase II/III clinical study of UTD2 combined with standard of care to evaluate the efficacy and safety in first-line patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, untreated with systemic treatment in the advanced setting. For the Phase II part, 78 subjects are planned to be enrolled in China, US, Europe and Japan. Its primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profile of UTD2 in combination therapy. The Phase III part plans to enroll 700 subjects across multiple countries/regions. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS), with secondary endpoints including PFS, ORR, and safety.

About NCT07044349 Study

This study is a multi-national, open-label, randomized Phase II/III clinical trial of UTD2 for the treatment of patients with platinum-resistant advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The Phase II part plans to enroll approximately 84 subjects. Its primary objective is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of UTD2 under different dosing regimens in the target patient population and to recommend a dose for Phase III. The Phase III part plans to enroll 480 subjects and is planned to be conducted in multiple countries and regions worldwide. Its primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of UTD2 compared to the investigator’s choice of standard treatment in the target patient population. The primary endpoint is PFS, with secondary endpoints including OS, ORR, and others.

About Utidelone

Utidelone is a new-generation genetically engineered microtubule inhibitor, and has similar mechanism of action with that of taxanes while demonstrating multiple advantages, including better anti-tumor activity, broader anti-tumor spectrum, better safety profile with very low hematologic toxicity, effective against multidrug-resistant tumors, less prone to developing drug resistance, capability of crossing the blood-brain barrier to prevent and treat brain tumors, and high oral bioavailability. Biostar has developed two formulations of Utidelone: injection (UTD1) and capsule (UTD2). UTD1 has been launched in China in 2021 for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), who have progressed after at least one anthracycline- or taxane-containing chemotherapy regimen. The phase III study data showed that UTD1 plus capecitabine achieved both PFS and OS benefits versus capecitabine for heavily pretreated MBC patients, and the results were orally presented twice at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meetings and published in prestigious journals.