Top pharma firms line up for Summit Therapeutics' ivonescimab after strong China Phase 3 data

Several major biopharma companies, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Revolution Medicines, are expressing strong interest in Summit Therapeutics' Akeso-partnered bispecific antibody ivonescimab. The drug combines PD-1 inhibition with VEGF blockade, a strategy seen as a potential new backbone for cancer therapy.

The enthusiasm follows a head-to-head Phase 3 trial in China where ivonescimab outperformed Merck's Keytruda in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, according to analyst Graig Suvannavejh of Mizuho Securities. The trial results, released in September 2024, have been described as setting the market "on fire."

Industry analysts estimate the global PD‑1xVEGF market could exceed $30 billion by 2032. A pivotal readout from a global Phase 3 trial comparing ivonescimab directly with Keytruda as a frontline NSCLC treatment is expected soon, adding further focus on the asset.

The convergence of positive trial data, sizable market potential, and upcoming regulatory milestones is driving the current wave of partnership talks, positioning ivonescimab as a highly sought‑after oncology asset.