Oncology

Adding oleclumab and monalizumab to the PD-L1 inhibitor improved PFS, while another study showed improved real-world outcomes.

Two companies looking to challenge Merck’s Keytruda with new combinations have had contrasting reactions from investors

In the absence of head-to-head data, the results from a "matching-adjusted indirect comparison" suggest favorable efficacy of the German group's treatment for solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase gene fusion when compared with competitor Rozlytrek from Roche.

Amgen’s KRAS G12C inhibitor in combination with the company’s Vectibix generated a 27% overall response rate, nearly tripling the responses seen with Lumakras monotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Phase III sub-analyses presented at ESMO show the drug providing a survival benefit in a complex subpopulation, as well as improvements to quality of life.

With big oncology losses largely in the rearview mirror, Roche is trying to sell investors on its next wave of cancer drugs; R&D overview pushes message of pipeline renewal.

Janssen’s Mark Wildgust explained how the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary is pushing forward with novel therapeutics and combination regimens with the goal of eliminating myeloma in the first line.

Novartis has filed the PD-1 inhibitor tislelizumab, licensed from BeiGene, for second-line esophageal cancer with the FDA, the first submission outside China for the closely-watched therapy.

The immunotherapy drugs fall short of the standard set by Keytruda, but could gain some traction in non-squamous patient group.

While the general lack of an overall survival benefit for MacroGenics’ drug in later-line breast cancer was not surprising, OS data were seen as important for commercial uptake of the drug.

Sanofi’s $1.9bn cash purchase of Kadmon surprised many analysts, coming as a bolt-on for the French pharma’s general medicines transplant portfolio rather than its specialty care pipeline, but the overall view was that it made sense.

The approval of China's second CAR-T therapy has come amid reimbursement challenges, despite the pricing of its direct competitor being much lower than in the US. Chinese developers are pinning their hopes on rapid domestic market expansion via commercial insurance tie-ups as other CAR-Ts move through local development.