Akeso revives battered CD47 field with AML survival data

18 May 2026

Chinese biotech Akeso (HKEX: 9926) is pressing ahead with one of oncology’s most bruised targets, reporting mid-stage data suggesting its anti-CD47 antibody ligufalimab may improve survival outcomes in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients unable to receive intensive chemotherapy.

The company unveiled details from its randomized Phase II AK117-206 study ahead of an oral presentation at next month’s European Hematology Association congress. Ligufalimab was tested alongside azacitidine and venetoclax against the standard regimen plus placebo in 60 treatment-naïve AML patients.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK