STAT+: Akeso and Summit’s ivonescimab extends survival in squamous cell lung cancer

STAT PlusBiotech Akeso and Summit’s ivonescimab extends survival in squamous cell lung cancer ‘Two drugs in one’ candidate, developed in China, is a highlight at ASCO Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Matthew HerperMay 31, 2026 Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper[email protected]Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. CHICAGO — Ivonescimab, a drug that combines the activity of two of the best-selling cancer medicines, reduced the risk of death in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer by 34% compared to a standard treatment in a clinical trial conducted entirely in China by the drug’s developer, Akeso Therapeutics, according to data presented Sunday. The result, oncologists say, exceeded their expectations, and it appears it could generate optimism for the drug, which is being developed outside China by Summit Therapeutics. But the data also are likely to fuel debate on issues like the role of China in drug development and the future of cancer treatments. The results were presented here at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and are being published simultaneously in The Lancet.Advertisement Robert Duggan, Summit’s co-CEO and chairman, said that the data mean the company has “a very valuable business with a very valuable product that is in its early stages.” Akeso had no comment for this story. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In ASCO, Cancer, drug development, FDA, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Matthew Herper Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Biotech May 31, 2026 STAT Plus: Practice-changing results reported for Revolution Medicines pancreatic cancer drug Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: BioNTech and Pfizer tout bispecifics data at ASCO, and Pazdur sees silver lining at FDA Advertisement Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: China competition, ‘destruction’ at FDA give agency chance to restructure, Rick Pazdur says Biotech May 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Revolution Medicines starts shipping experimental pancreatic cancer drug Health May 29, 2026 STAT Plus: At ASCO, positive data for Bristol in multiple myeloma and Pfizer in lung cancer Subscriber Picks