Ivonescimab Shows Overall Survival Benefit Over Keytruda in Head-to-Head NSCLC Trial

Akeso and Summit Therapeutics announced that their PD‑1×VEGF bispecific antibody, ivonescimab, achieved a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with Merck’s Keytruda in a head‑to‑head clinical study. The trial involved Chinese patients with first‑line PD‑L1‑positive non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as part of the Harmoni‑2 study. While the OS benefit was confirmed, market response was subdued, contrasting with a stronger reaction to a progression‑free survival (PFS) advantage reported two years earlier. The fourth Phase 3 OS endpoint was met, and the Hong Kong market saw a brief 3.4% rise.