Accelerated Saudi approval for ImmunityBio’s Anktiva

14 January 2026

US immunotherapy company ImmunityBio (Nasdaq: IBRX) has announced that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has granted accelerated approval of Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept) for use alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed following standard-of-care therapy.

This marks the first authorization of the company’s treatment for this indication anywhere in the world, and the first approval for subcutaneous administration.

A foundational backbone to immunotherapy 2.0

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