AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo to Evaluate Cancer Drug Combination

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo have entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with Summit Therapeutics Inc. to evaluate a combination therapy involving datopotamab deruxtecan, known as Datroway, and ivonescimab. The companies plan to initially focus on a Phase III trial for first-line treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Datroway is a TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and co-developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. Ivonescimab is a novel bispecific antibody designed to block both PD-1 and VEGF, offering a dual approach to cancer treatment. The combination aims to enhance therapeutic responses in various cancers, including lung and breast cancer.

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology Haematology R&D at AstraZeneca, stated that the combination strategy is central to transforming cancer outcomes by harnessing immunotherapy and ADC combinations for deeper, more durable responses. Summit Therapeutics CEO Maky Zanganeh highlighted ivonescimab's potential as a next-generation immunotherapy and its role as a preferred partner for novel combinations.

John Tsai, Global Head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, emphasized the company's commitment to maximizing the potential of its DXd ADC portfolio through strategic collaborations. Under the agreement, each company will contribute its respective medicine for the trials, which will be sponsored by AstraZeneca or Daiichi Sankyo. Costs and development rights will be shared according to the terms.

AstraZeneca recently announced an equity investment in Summit Therapeutics, intended to support clinical collaborations, including this one. Ivonescimab is already approved in China for certain non-small cell lung cancer patients, and its application for EGFR-mutated NSCLC is under review by the U.S. FDA.