Akeso says its lung cancer drug ivonescimab delivers better-than-expected results in a phase 3 trial for advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer, a form of the disease commonly linked to smoking. The company reports that the treatment reduces the risk of death by 34%, and the findings are framed as a significant step for the drug’s potential expansion in approved indications. The results are filed with the Hong Kong stock exchange, and the reports note that the trial data are also selected for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), an event often used to assess late-stage oncology progress.
Analysts cited in the coverage suggest the data could strengthen ivonescimab’s prospects in the global non-small cell lung cancer market, described as a roughly US$20 billion market. They also say revisions to target prices reflect improved expectations for the drug’s commercial and clinical trajectory. Across the reports, the central point is that Akeso’s phase 3 study shows a meaningful mortality benefit for patients with advanced squamous NSCLC, supporting potential next steps for regulatory review.
