Akeso's Ivonescimab Shows 34% Death Risk Cut at ASCO | Pharma and Biotech Daily - Pharma and BioTech Daily

Summary4 min read

Episode Overview

Title: Akeso's Ivonescimab Shows 34% Death Risk Cut at ASCO
Podcast: Pharma and BioTech Daily
Date: June 2, 2026
Host: Pharma and BioTech News

This episode provides a dense roundup of major recent advancements, approvals, and strategic moves from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 conference and across the pharma and biotech industry. Key stories include groundbreaking clinical data, regulatory approvals, and pivotal acquisitions—each underscoring rapid progress toward more personalized and effective therapies in oncology, infectious disease, and rare disorders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Akeso’s Ivonescimab – Landmark Results in Lung Cancer

[00:19]

Presentation of pivotal data at ASCO: Ivonescimab, a novel PD1xVEGF bispecific antibody, combined with chemotherapy, yielded a 34% reduction in death risk for first-line lung cancer patients.
- “This marks a pivotal moment in cancer therapeutics, illustrating how bispecific antibodies can enhance treatment efficacy.”
Reflects growing impact of bispecific antibody approaches in front-line oncology settings.

2. Major Oncology Advances & Study Data

Johnson & Johnson’s Erleada in Prostate Cancer

Phase 3 PROTEUS trial: Positive outcomes in perioperative use for prostate cancer, suggesting new standards of care incorporating targeted therapies pre/post-surgery.

Lilly’s Retemvo in Lung Cancer

For patients with RET fusion-positive markers, as adjuvant therapy achieved an 83% reduction in disease progression or death.
- “This underscores the critical role of molecularly targeted therapies for patients with specific genetic profiles, offering hope for improved survival outcomes.”

Pfizer’s Tolzena Combo for Prostate Cancer

Broader FDA approval for use in castration-sensitive prostate cancer, positioning it against J&J’s PARP inhibitor combination.

AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi/Imjudo Combo in Liver Cancer

Early-stage liver cancer: 30% reduction in progression risk, expanding immunotherapy applications.

Revolution Medicines and CRAS Inhibitor in Pancreatic Cancer

CRAS inhibitor nearly doubled survival rates for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with CRAS mutations.
- “Given the historically poor prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer, these findings represent a significant advancement…”

Gilead’s TUB 040 in Ovarian Cancer

In phase 1 for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, achieved a 61% tumor response rate, suggesting promise for antibody-drug conjugates in resistant cancer types.

3. New Approvals and Expanded Indications

Chugai’s COVID-19 Antiviral Zova

FDA approved for post-exposure prophylaxis; offers a new tool for COVID-19 exposure management.

MannKind’s Inhaled Insulin Afrezza

Now approved for pediatric use after previous efficacy challenges.
- “…aimed at improving adherence and glycemic control among younger patients.”

J&J’s Tremphya for Psoriatic Arthritis

Label expansion: Now inhibits structural joint damage, broadening IL-23 inhibitor applications in autoimmune disease care.

4. CAR T & Cell Therapy: Deals and Data

Eli Lilly’s Acquisition of Colonia Therapeutics

Motivated by in vivo CAR T data and “unprecedented response rates.”
Colonia’s BCMA-targeting CAR T showed a 100% response rate in phase 1 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
- “…could revolutionize treatment paradigms by offering more effective responses.”

5. Market Dynamics, Partnerships & Regulatory Moves

Eli Lilly’s Strategic Agreements

Partnerships with Heisco Pharmaceutical and Hanmi Pharm to expand R&D and therapeutic portfolios.

Servier Acquires Edgewise Therapeutics’ Muscular Dystrophy Unit

Signals increased investment and focus on rare diseases and neuromuscular conditions.

Drug Development Challenges

Oculis’ OCS-01 failed phase 3 for diabetic macular edema—highlighting ongoing risks in clinical innovation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On bispecific antibodies:
“This marks a pivotal moment in cancer therapeutics, illustrating how bispecific antibodies can enhance treatment efficacy.” – [00:24], Host
On molecular targeting:
“This underscores the critical role of molecularly targeted therapies for patients with specific genetic profiles, offering hope for improved survival outcomes.” – [01:10], Host
On pancreatic cancer progress:
“Given the historically poor prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer, these findings represent a significant advancement in managing this aggressive type.” – [02:10], Host
On CAR T innovation:
“This CAR T therapy targets the BCMA antigen and could revolutionize treatment paradigms by offering more effective responses.” – [02:25], Host

Important Timestamps

00:19 – Akeso’s Ivonescimab ASCO results; PD1xVEGF bispecific antibody milestone
00:45 – J&J’s Erleada positive phase 3 results in prostate cancer
00:55 – Lilly’s RET inhibitor adjuvant therapy in early-stage lung cancer
01:05 – Chugai’s COVID-19 Zova FDA approval; MannKind’s Afrezza pediatric approval
01:35 – Pfizer and AstraZeneca’s new indications in prostate & liver cancer
01:55 – Eli Lilly’s acquisition of Colonia; BCMA CAR T data
02:15 – Revolution Medicines’ pancreatic cancer breakthrough
02:25 – Gilead’s TUB 040 data in ovarian cancer
02:45 – Regulatory and market moves (J&J Tremphya, Servier-Edgewise, alliances)
03:00 – Innovation/risk balance: Oculis trial failure

Tone and Style Notes

The episode uses concise, data-driven language with a forward-looking and optimistic tone, reflecting excitement for innovation while acknowledging ongoing clinical and regulatory hurdles. The host focuses on statistically strong clinical trial outcomes, approval milestones, and the growing emphasis on personalized medicine strategies.

Summary Statement

This episode powerfully illustrates the dynamic, interlocking progress in oncology, rare disease, and infectious disease fields—emphasizing landmark clinical data, new approvals, and bold industry moves driving patient outcomes and future innovation.

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Transcript2 lines

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Good morning from Pharma Daily, the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today we delve into a range of fascinating advancements in the industry, each with significant implications for future patient care and drug development. At the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology 2026 conference, Akesos EV onceumab, a pioneering PD1X VEGF bispecific antibody, demonstrated a 34% reduction in death risk when combined with chemotherapy for first line lung cancer treatment. This marks a pivotal moment in cancer therapeutics, illustrating how bispecific antibodies can enhance treatment efficacy. The evolving landscape of cancer treatment continues to highlight the importance of these innovative approaches. Johnson and Johnson's Erleitta has shown promising results in prostate cancer achieving positive outcomes in its phase 3 Proteus study. The trial emphasized the efficacy of Erleada when administered perioperatively to prostate cancer patients, indicating a shift towards more personalized and comprehensive care that incorporates targeted therapies before and after surgery. In another significant breakthrough, Lilly's Retemvo exhibited dramatic results in early stage lung cancer with RET fusion positive markers, reducing disease progression or death by 83% as adjuvant therapy. This underscores the critical role of molecularly targeted therapies for patients with specific genetic profiles, offering hope for improved survival outcomes on the front lines of infectious diseases. ChiOnogi's COVID19 antiviral Zova has received FDA approval as a post exposure prophylactic. This milestone highlights the challenging yet dynamic landscape of antiviral drug development, offering a new tool in managing COVID 19 exposures. After previous challenges in demonstrating effectiveness as a treatment, mankind's inhaled insulin Afrezza has been approved for pediatric use. This approval could rejuvenate its market presence by providing a more convenient insulin delivery system aimed at improving adherence and glycemic control among younger patients. In oncology news, Pfizer's Tolzena combination therapy received broader FDA approval for castration sensitive prostate cancer. This positions it as a competitive option against Johnson and Johnson's PARP inhibitor combination therapy. Additionally, AstraZeneca's Mfinzi and Imjudo combination showed promise in early stage liver cancer by reducing disease progression risks by 30%, broadening immunotherapy applications. The market dynamics are also shifting, with significant strategic movements like Eli Lilly's acquisition of Colonia Therapeutics for three. This decision is driven by promising in vivo CAR T data demonstrating unprecedented response rates and reflects the increasing importance of innovative CAR T therapies in oncology. Eli Lilly's Colonia Therapeutics cell therapy Showcased an impressive 100% response rate in a phase one trial for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This CAR T therapy targets the BCMA antigen and could revolutionize treatment paradigms by offering more effective responses. Meanwhile, Pfizer's transformative research on ROS inhibitors holds potential to redefine treatment paradigms in pancreatic cancer, a notoriously difficult to treat type due to its complex biology. Revolution Medicines aims to maintain its leadership within this space amidst growing competition. Revolution Medicines also reported compelling results with their CRASS inhibitor, which nearly doubles survival rates for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients harboring CRASS mutations. Given the historically poor prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer, these findings represent a significant advancement in managing this aggressive type. In ovarian cancer research, Gilead's tub 040 demonstrated a 61% tumor response rate for platinum resistant ovarian cancer in a phase one trial. This highlights the potential of antibody drug conjugates to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve outcomes in difficult to treat cancers. Regulatory updates include Johnson and Johnson receiving FDA label expansion for Tremphya to inhibit structural joint damage in active psoriatic arthritis patients. This expansion provides broader treatment options for patients suffering from debilitating conditions by reinforcing the role of IL23 inhibitors in autoimmune disease management. Strategic partnerships are also shaping drug development's future landscape. Notably, Servier's acquisition of Edgewise Therapeutics Muscular Dystrophy unit underscores growing focus on rare diseases and neuromuscular disorders. Eli Lilly's agreements with Heisco Pharmaceutical and Hanme Pharm reflect ongoing R and D investments aimed at expanding therapeutic portfolios across various indications. These developments illustrate a broader trend toward personalized medicine and targeted therapies that enhance treatment efficacy by leveraging specific genetic or molecular characteristics. Despite advancements, challenges remain as exemplified by ocules ocs01 failing phase 3 trials for diabetic macular edema, highlighting inherent risks in drug development. Overall, these updates underscore significant scientific progress and promise improvements in patient outcomes through novel therapeutic approaches and collaborative efforts. Within this vibrant industry landscape.