Summit to Initiate HARMONi-7, a Phase III Trial
in First-Line PD-L1 High, Advanced NSCLC, in Early 2025
Ivonescimab Is the First Drug to Achieve
Clinically Meaningful Benefit over Pembrolizumab in a Randomized
Phase III Clinical Trial in NSCLC
Median PFS of 11.14 Months vs. 5.82 Months,
Respectively, for Patients Receiving Ivonescimab vs. Pembrolizumab;
PFS Improvement Was Observed Broadly in Patients Across Subgroups,
including PD-L1 High and Low Expressing Tumors, Squamous and
Non-Squamous Histologies
Comparable Serious Treatment-Related Adverse
Events and TRAE-Led Discontinuation Rates Were Observed; Serious
TRAEs were 20.8% vs. 16.1%, Respectively, in Ivonescimab and
Pembrolizumab Arms
Encouraging Perioperative NSCLC Phase II Data
Also Featured in an Oral Presentation at WCLC 2024
Three Additional Phase II Solid Tumor Settings
beyond NSCLC Featuring Ivonescimab to be Presented at ESMO 2024
Conference Call to be Held at 8:30am ET on
Monday, September 9, 2024
Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) ("Summit," "we," or the
"Company") today announced data from the primary analysis of the
Phase III HARMONi-2 trial featuring the novel, potential
first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody, ivonescimab.
The data was presented this morning as part of the Presidential
Symposium at the International Association for the Study of Lung
Cancer’s (IASLC) 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC 2024)
in San Diego, California.
The HARMONi-2 presentation, Phase 3 Study of Ivonescimab (AK112)
vs. Pembrolizumab as First-line Treatment for PD-L1-positive
Advanced NSCLC: Primary Analysis of HARMONi-2, evaluated
monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in
patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression (PD-L1
TPS >1%). HARMONi-2 is a single
region, multi-center, double-blinded Phase III study conducted in
China sponsored by our collaboration partner, Akeso, Inc. (Akeso,
HKEX Code: 9926.HK), with data generated and analyzed by Akeso.
The trial results were presented by Professor Caicun Zhou, MD,
PhD, Chief Physician and Director of the Department of Medical
Oncology at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School
of Medicine, and President-Elect of IASLC.
Clinically Meaningful Efficacy
In the HARMONi-2 primary analysis, ivonescimab monotherapy
demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the trial’s
primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS) by Independent
Radiologic Review Committee (IRRC), when compared to monotherapy
pembrolizumab, achieving a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.38,
0.69; p<0.0001). A clinically meaningful benefit was
demonstrated across clinical subgroups, including those with PD-L1
low expression (PD-L1 TPS 1-49%), PD-L1 high expression (PD-L1 TPS
≥ 50%), squamous and non-squamous histologies, as well as other
high-risk patients. Both the overall response rate (ORR) measured
according to RECIST v1.1 criteria as well as the disease control
rate (DCR) were higher in patients treated with ivonescimab
compared to those treated with pembrolizumab.
HARMONi-2 ITT (n=398);
Median Follow-up: 8.67 mos
Ivonescimab
(n=198)
Pembrolizumab
(n=200)
Median PFS
11.14 mos
(95% CI: 7.33, NE)
5.82 mos
(95% CI: 5.03, 8.21)
PFS Stratified HR
0.51
(95% CI: 0.38, 0.69;
p<0.0001)
ORR
50.0%
(95% CI: 42.8%, 57.2%)
38.5%
(95% CI: 31.7%, 45.6%)
DCR
89.9%
(95% CI: 84.8%, 93.7%)
70.5%
(95% CI: 63.7%, 76.7%)
HARMONi-2 Subgroup Analyses
Ivonescimab vs.
Pembrolizumab
PD-L1 High (PD-L1 TPS ≥50%) PFS stratified
HR
Ivonescimab n=83; Pembrolizumab n=85
0.46
(95% CI: 0.28, 0.75)
PD-L1 Low (PD-L1 TPS 1-49%) PFS stratified
HR
Ivonescimab n=115; Pembrolizumab n=115
0.54
(95% CI: 0.37, 0.79)
Squamous histology PFS stratified HR
Ivonescimab n=90; Pembrolizumab n=91
0.48
(95% CI: 0.31, 0.74)
Non-Squamous histology PFS stratified
HR
Ivonescimab n=108; Pembrolizumab n=109
0.54
(95% CI: 0.36, 0.82)
Overall survival data was not yet mature at the time of the data
cutoff and will be evaluated in the future.
Manageable Safety Profile
Ivonescimab demonstrated an acceptable and manageable safety
profile, which was consistent with previous studies. There were
three patients (1.5%) who discontinued ivonescimab due to TRAEs
compared to six patients (3.0%) who discontinued pembrolizumab due
to TRAEs. There was one patient in the ivonescimab arm and two
patients in the pembrolizumab arm who died as a result of TRAEs in
this Phase III study. The most frequent treatment-related adverse
events (TRAEs) for ivonescimab treatment were proteinuria (Grade
3+: ivonescimab, 3.0%; pembrolizumab 0.0%), hypertension (Grade 3+:
ivonescimab, 5.1%; pembrolizumab 0.5%), and various laboratory
abnormalities, including AST increases, hypercholesterolemia,
anemia, and bilirubin increases. Grade 3 or higher immune-related
adverse events occurred in 7.1% of patients receiving ivonescimab
and 8.0% of patients receiving pembrolizumab. Grade 3 or higher
adverse events that were possibly VEGF-related in the ivonescimab
monotherapy arm were 10.2% vs. 1.0% for pembrolizumab, all of which
were classified as Grade 3. Of note, Grade 3 hemorrhage events were
observed in two patients in the ivonescimab arm (both were of
non-squamous histology) compared to one patient in the
pembrolizumab arm in this study.
HARMONi-2
(n=396)
Ivonescimab
(n=197)
Pembrolizumab
(n=199)
TRAEs Grade 3+
29.4%
15.6%
Serious TRAEs (TRSAEs)
20.8%
16.1%
TRAEs Leading to Drug Discontinuation
1.5%
3.0%
TRAEs Leading to Death
0.5%
1.0%
Grade 3+ Immune-related
7.1%
8.0%
Grade 3+ Possibly VEGF-related*
10.2%
1.0%
*All Grade 3+ adverse events that were possibly VEGF-related
were classified as Grade 3 events in both arms; there were no Grade
4 or 5 adverse events that were possibly VEGF-related observed in
either arm.
“This is a historic moment for ivonescimab, Team Summit, our
partners at Akeso, and most importantly, we believe this is the
beginning of a landscape shift for treatment options for patients
living with cancer,” stated Robert W. Duggan, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Summit. “We are incredibly proud of our
partnership with Akeso and their accomplishment with
HARMONi-2.”
Based on the results of HARMONi-2, Summit announced its
intention to initiate HARMONi-7 in early 2025. HARMONi-7 is
currently planned as a multi-regional Phase III clinical trial that
will compare ivonescimab monotherapy to pembrolizumab monotherapy
in patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1
expression (PD-L1 TPS > 50%).
“HARMONi-2 clearly demonstrates that ivonescimab has the
potential to be the next generation in PD-1 directed immunotherapy,
and potentially make a significant difference in the lives of
patients with lung cancer and prospectively other tumors,” added
Dr. Maky Zanganeh, Chief Executive Officer and President of Summit.
“We want to again congratulate Akeso for this incredible result and
their work to advance the patient-friendly standards of care today
and well into the future. We look forward to initiating HARMONi-7
and sharing additional details about our expanded clinical
development plan in early 2025.”
Phase II Perioperative NSCLC
In addition to the HARMONi-2 data presentation, a second oral
presentation featuring ivonescimab was presented by Xiaoliang Zhao,
MD, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Lung Cancer at Tianjin
Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, and Visiting
Scholar at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown
University in Washington, D.C. The presentation was entitled, A
Phase II Study of Perioperative Ivonescimab Alone or Combined with
Chemotherapy in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, presenting
the results from AK112-205, a single-region (China), multi-center,
open-label Phase II study of patients with Stage II or III
resectable NSCLC.
The study is designed to assess patients receiving either
ivonescimab monotherapy or ivonescimab plus chemotherapy prior to
surgical resection and then ivonescimab monotherapy after surgery.
Due to the maturity of the data and the timing of the data cutoff,
the results were limited to the neo-adjuvant, or pre-surgery,
portion of the clinical trial. At the time of data cutoff, 49
patients had been enrolled into the ivonescimab plus chemotherapy
arm in the neo-adjuvant setting; of these 49 patients, 39 went on
to complete surgery.
Of the 39 patients who received ivonescimab plus chemotherapy in
the neo-adjuvant stage and completed surgery, 71.8% of patients
experienced a major pathological response (MPR) and 43.6% of
patients experienced a pathological complete response (pCR). In the
49 patients enrolled in this cohort, median event-free survival
(EFS) was not yet reached after 8.9 months of median follow-up
time; the 12-month EFS rate was 80.3% (95% CI: 59.6, 91.1). These
results are encouraging compared to the historical data that has
been observed in global pivotal studies in a similar setting. The
safety profile was manageable: of the 49 patients who received
ivonescimab plus chemotherapy in the neo-adjuvant setting, Grade 3
or higher adverse events were observed in 32.7% of patients; there
was one patient who experienced a treatment-related serious adverse
event. There were no TRAEs leading to delayed or cancelled surgery
or that led to the death of a patient.
Additional Phase II Data to be Presented at ESMO 2024
Beyond the data recently featured at WCLC 2024, Phase II data
featuring ivonescimab will be presented at the European Society of
Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024. ESMO 2024 will take place in
Barcelona, Spain, from September 13 – 17, 2024.
These presentations, which will feature data from studies
sponsored by Akeso including first-line treatment for
triple-negative advanced breast cancer (TNBC), first-line treatment
for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and
first-line treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).
About the ESMO 2024 Presentations
Presentation Title: The efficacy and safety of ivonescimab with
or without ligufalimab in combination with FOLFOXIRI (chemotherapy)
as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)
ESMO Presentation No.: 514MO
Session Date & Time: Saturday, September 14, 3:50 to 3:55pm
CET
Presentation Title: The safety and efficacy of ivonescimab in
combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for
triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
ESMO Presentation No.: 347MO
Session Date & Time: Monday, September 16, 8:30 to 8:35pm
CET
Poster Title: Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of
ivonescimab in combination with ligufalimab as first-line treatment
for PD-L1 positive recurrent/metastasis head and neck squamous cell
carcinoma (R/M HNSCC)
ESMO Poster No.: 876P
Poster Display Date & Time: Saturday, September 14, 12:00 to
1:00pm CET
Conference Call
Summit Therapeutics Inc. will host a conference call to discuss
recent updates related to ivonescimab, including data released at
WCLC, on Monday September 9, 2024, before the market opens.
Summit will host a live webcast of the conference call at 8:30am
ET, which will be accessible through our website www.smmttx.com,
and can also be accessed via the following link:
https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/904766612.
The dial-in information for US attendees is toll-free at (800)
715-9871. Additionally, all attendees may access through the toll
number, (646) 307-1963. The Conference ID is 9820029.
An archived edition of the webcast will be available on our
website later in the day on Monday.
About Ivonescimab
Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories,
the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, including
Mexico and all countries in Central America, South America, and the
Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa, and as AK112 in China and
Australia, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational
bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a
blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with
blocking VEGF into a single molecule. Ivonescimab displays unique
cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold
higher affinity when in the presence of both PD-1 and VEGF.
This could differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially
higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue
and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue
in the body. Ivonescimab’s tetravalent structure (four binding
sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple
binding interactions) in the TME with over 18-fold increased
binding affinity to PD-1 in the presence of VEGF in vitro, and over
4-times increased binding affinity to VEGF in the presence of PD-1
in vitro (Zhong, et al, SITC, 2023). This tetravalent structure,
the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these
two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative
binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the
tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design,
together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days (Zhong, et al, SITC,
2023), is to improve upon previously established efficacy
thresholds, in addition to side effects and safety profiles
associated with these targets.
Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK)
and is currently engaged in multiple Phase III clinical trials.
Over 1,800 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical
studies globally.
Summit has begun its clinical development of ivonescimab in
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), commencing enrollment in 2023
in two multi-regional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and
HARMONi-3, with a plan to initiate HARMONi-7 in early 2025.
HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial which intends to evaluate
ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus
chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or
metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment
with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib).
HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial which is designed to
evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to
pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with
first-line metastatic squamous NSCLC.
HARMONi-7 is a planned Phase III clinical trial which is
intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to
pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic
NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 TPS
> 50%).
In addition, Akeso has recently had positive read-outs in two
single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials for
ivonescimab in NSCLC, HARMONi-A and HARMONi-2.
HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated
ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus
chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or
metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment
with an EGFR TKI.
HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy
ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with
locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive
PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 TPS >1%).
Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved
by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories,
including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was approved
for marketing authorization in China in May 2024.
About Summit Therapeutics
Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company
focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of
patient-, physician-, caregiver- and societal-friendly medicinal
therapies intended to improve quality of life, increase potential
duration of life, and resolve serious unmet medical needs.
Summit was founded in 2003 and our shares are listed on the
Nasdaq Global Market (symbol "SMMT"). We are headquartered in
Miami, Florida, and we have additional offices in Menlo Park,
California, and Oxford, UK.
For more information, please visit https://www.smmttx.com and
follow us on X @SMMT_TX.
Summit Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about the Company’s future
expectations, plans and prospects, including but not limited to,
statements about the clinical and preclinical development of the
Company’s product candidates, entry into and actions related to the
Company’s partnership with Akeso Inc., including the expected
benefits of the amendment to the collaboration and license
agreement, the intended use of the net proceeds from the private
placement, the Company's anticipated spending and cash runway, the
therapeutic potential of the Company’s product candidates, the
potential commercialization of the Company’s product candidates,
the timing of initiation, completion and availability of data from
clinical trials, the potential submission of applications for
marketing approvals, potential acquisitions, statements about the
previously disclosed At-The-Market equity offering program (“ATM
Program”), the expected proceeds and uses thereof, and other
statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe,"
"continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan,"
"potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "would," and
similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by
such forward-looking statements as a result of various important
factors, including the Company’s ability to sell shares of our
common stock under the ATM Program, the conditions affecting the
capital markets, general economic, industry, or political
conditions, including the results of our evaluation of the
underlying data in connection with the development and
commercialization activities for ivonescimab, the outcome of
discussions with regulatory authorities, including the Food and
Drug Administration, the uncertainties inherent in the initiation
of future clinical trials, availability and timing of data from
ongoing and future clinical trials, the results of such trials, and
their success, and global public health crises, that may affect
timing and status of our clinical trials and operations, whether
preliminary results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the
final results of that trial or whether results of early clinical
trials or preclinical studies will be indicative of the results of
later clinical trials, whether business development opportunities
to expand the Company’s pipeline of drug candidates, including
without limitation, through potential acquisitions of, and/or
collaborations with, other entities occur, expectations for
regulatory approvals, laws and regulations affecting government
contracts and funding awards, availability of funding sufficient
for the Company’s foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses
and capital expenditure requirements and other factors discussed in
the "Risk Factors" section of filings that the Company makes with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change to our ongoing
trials could cause delays, affect our future expenses, and add
uncertainty to our commercialization efforts, as well as to affect
the likelihood of the successful completion of clinical development
of ivonescimab. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements or information. In addition,
any forward-looking statements included in this press release
represent the Company’s views only as of the date of this release
and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views
as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in
this press release.
Appendix: Glossary of Critical Terms Contained Herein
Affinity – Affinity is the strength of binding of a
molecule, such as a protein or antibody, to another molecule, such
as a ligand.
Avidity – Avidity is the accumulated strength of multiple
binding interactions.
Angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the development,
formation, and maintenance of blood vessel structures. Without
sufficient blood flow, tissue may experience hypoxia (insufficient
oxygen) or lack of nutrition, which may cause cell death.1
Cooperative binding – Cooperative binding occurs when the
number of binding sites on the molecule that can be occupied by a
specific ligand (e.g., protein) is impacted by the ligand’s
concentration. For example, this can be due to an affinity for the
ligand that depends on the amount of ligand bound or the binding
strength of the molecule to one ligand based on the concentration
of another ligand, increasing the chance of another ligand binding
to the compound.2
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is a type of treatment,
including cancer treatments, that help a person’s immune system
fight cancer. Examples include anti-PD-1 therapies.3
Intracranial - Within the cranium or skull.
Monotherapy – a medical treatment that consists of a
single drug or therapy.
PD-1 – Programmed cell Death protein 1 is a protein on
the surface of T cells and other cells. PD-1 plays a key role in
reducing the regulation of ineffective or harmful immune responses
and maintaining immune tolerance. However, with respect to cancer
tumor cells, PD-1 can act as a stopping mechanism (a brake or
checkpoint) by binding to PD-L1 ligands that exist on tumor cells
and preventing the T cells from targeting cancerous tumor
cells.4
PD-L1 – Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 is expressed by
cancerous tumor cells as an adaptive immune mechanism to escape
anti-tumor responses, thus believed to suppress the immune system’s
response to the presence of cancer cells.5
PD-L1 TPS – PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score represents the
percentage of tumor cells that express PD-L1 proteins.
Perioperative – around the time of surgery, typically
considered to mean both before and after a surgery.
PFS – Progression-Free Survival.
RANO – Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology, the
standard for assessing the response of a brain or spinal cord tumor
to therapy.
RECIST v1.1 – A generally-accepted way to measuring and
evaluating the response of a tumor in clinical trials. The criteria
is designated by an international group of experienced physicians
in drug development from academic research backgrounds, government
backgrounds and industry backgrounds, as well as imaging
specialists and statisticians, referred to as the RECIST Working
Group.6
SQ-NSCLC – Non-small cell lung cancer tumors of squamous
histology.
T Cells – T cells are a type of white blood cell that is
a component of the immune system that, in general, fights against
infection and harmful cells like tumor cells.7
Tetravalent – A tetravalent molecule has four binding
sites or regions.
Tumor Microenvironment – The tumor microenvironment is
the ecosystem that surrounds a tumor inside the body. It includes
immune cells, the extracellular matrix, blood vessels and other
cells, like fibroblasts. A tumor and its microenvironment
constantly interact and influence each other, either positively or
negatively.8
VEGF – Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a signaling
protein that promotes angiogenesis.9
Summit Therapeutics and the Summit Therapeutics
logo are trademarks of Summit Therapeutics Inc. Copyright 2024,
Summit Therapeutics Inc. All Rights Reserved.
____________________ 1 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A
Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes
Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105 2 Stefan MI, Le Novère N.
Cooperative binding. PLoS Comput Biol. 2013;9(6) 3 US National
Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy.
Accessed April 2024. 4 Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current
Researches in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 Mar 1;10(3):727-742. 5
Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current Researches in Cancer. Am
J Cancer Res. 2020 Mar 1;10(3):727-742. 6 Eisenhauer, et. al. New
response evaluation criteria in solid tumours: Revised RECIST
guideline (version 1.1), Eur J Cancer. 2009 Jan;45(2):228-47. 7
Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24630-t-cells. Accessed
April 2024. 8 MD Anderson Cancer Center.
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-is-the-tumor-microenvironment-3-things-to-know.h00-159460056.html.
Accessed April 2024. 9 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth
Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A
Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes
Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105.
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Contact Summit Investor Relations: Dave Gancarz Chief
Business & Strategy Officer
Nathan LiaBraaten Senior Director, Investor Relations
investors@smmttx.com
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