BMS-partnered ADC shows first Phase III success in hard-to-treat cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Chinese biotech partner Sichuan Biokin (SHE: 688506) have reported a key win in the clinic, as their experimental antibody-drug conjugate iza-bren (izalontamab brengitecan) hit the primary endpoint in a Phase III study for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Biokin disclosed the result in a stock exchange filing, confirming that an interim analysis of the study showed meaningful benefit. The trial enrolled 386 patients with recurrent or metastatic disease who had progressed after at least two rounds of platinum-based chemotherapy and a checkpoint blocker.

The candidate is described as the first of its kind: a dual-targeting ADC against EGFR and HER3. It is the first therapy in its class to advance this far in the clinic.