Akeso Advances ADC 2.0 Strategy with Phase II Trial of AK146D1 in NSCLC

The advancement of ADC 2.0 candidates AK146D1 and AK138D1 into Phase II trials marks a critical milestone for Akeso's "IO2.0 + ADC2.0" strategy

Akeso announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase II clinical study (AK146D1-201) evaluating its internally developed TROP2/Nectin-4 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), AK146D1, in combination with ivonescimab (the Company's PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study will explore the therapeutic potential of this combination, with a particular emphasis on the first-line treatment setting.

The advancement of ADC 2.0 candidates AK146D1 and AK138D1 into Phase II trials marks a critical milestone for Akeso's "IO2.0 + ADC2.0" strategy. Built upon our proprietary bispecific and multispecific antibody technology alongside our innovative IO2.0 portfolio, this progress underscores our commitment to elevating the standard of care for major global diseases like lung cancer. Furthermore, it reinforces our cancer therapy matrix, positioning Akeso with distinct, cross-generational competitive advantages in the global market.

In the immuno-oncology (IO) arena, Akeso stands as the only company globally with two approved bispecific antibodies for cancer immunotherapy. The Company is actively evaluating ivonescimab and cadonilimab in combination with its pipeline of proprietary next-generation ADC2.0 agents. Increasingly, global partners recognize both ivonescimab and cadonilimab as preferred agents for combination regimens and breakthrough therapy explorations across a wide spectrum of tumor types.

Within the ADC landscape, Akeso has established a pipeline of breakthrough next-generation candidates, with AK146D1, AK138D1, AK157D1, and AK158D1 (a bispecific ADC) already in clinical development. These novel agents are designed to overcome the narrow therapeutic window and safety limitations frequently observed in conventional ADCs, effectively ushering ADC therapy into a new 2.0 era.