MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) ("Summit," "we," or the "Company") today reports its financial results and provides an update on its operational progress for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2023.
Operational & Corporate Updates
-
Our operational progress continues with ivonescimab (SMT112), an investigational, potentially first-in-class bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule:
-
We are actively engaged in development activities for ivonescimab. In just over one year since we closed our in-licensing transaction for ivonescimab, we have:
- Held multiple meetings with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regarding our planned Phase III clinical program and incorporated this feedback accordingly.
-
Begun our clinical development in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are actively enrolling two Phase III trials in the following proposed indications:
- HARMONi Phase III Trial: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), with enrollment completion expected in the second half of 2024, and
- HARMONi-3 Phase III Trial: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in first-line metastatic squamous NSCLC patients, with the first patient having been treated in the fourth quarter of 2023.
- In November 2023, a poster presentation was featured at the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) highlighting the novel mechanism of action and enhanced binding characteristics of ivonescimab. The tetravalent structure (four binding sites) of ivonescimab enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the tumor microenvironment with over 18-fold increased binding affinity to PD-1 in the presence of VEGF in vitro, and over 4-times increased binding affinity to VEGF in the presence of PD-1 in vitro.1
- In addition to promising Phase II data presented at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Akeso announced updates to the Phase II data in January 2024. Notably, in patients with first line advanced or metastatic NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations (Cohort 1, n=63), a 24-month overall survival (OS) rate of 64.8% was observed. Additionally, in patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors are positive for EGFR mutations and have progressed following an EGFR TKI (Cohort 2, n=19), median OS of 22.5 months was achieved. Treatment-related adverse events leading to discontinuation of ivonescimab was 11% and 0% in the two populations, respectively; there were no treatment related adverse events leading to a patient's death in either setting.2 AK112-201 is a study of Chinese subjects conducted and analyzed by our partners, Akeso, of which the updated data supports Summit's HARMONi and HARMONi-3 Phase III clinical trials.
-
Recapping our Collaboration and License Agreement with Akeso Inc. (Akeso) for ivonescimab (SMT112):
- On December 5, 2022, Summit and Akeso entered into a Collaboration and License Agreement for ivonescimab, which closed on January 17, 2023.
-
Summit received the rights to develop and commercialize ivonescimab in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Akeso retains the development and commercialization rights for the rest of the world, including China.
- In exchange for these rights, Summit made an upfront payment of $500 million in 2023.
- Akeso will be eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $4.5 billion. In addition, Akeso will receive low double-digit royalties on net sales in the Summit territories.
- Over 1,600 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally.
- Akeso has a rich and diversified antibody drug pipeline with over 30 internally discovered drug candidates in various stages of development, including at least six bispecific antibodies. Akeso has taken part in over 120 clinical trials for 19 drug candidates. Akeso has two drugs approved for oncology indications in China: a PD-1 inhibitor and a novel PD-1 / CTLA-4 bispecific antibody. Akeso has over 2,800 employees.
-
We are actively engaged in development activities for ivonescimab. In just over one year since we closed our in-licensing transaction for ivonescimab, we have:
Financial Highlights
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, & Short-term Investments
-
Aggregate cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments were $186.2 million and $648.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Accounts receivable and research and development tax credits were $1.8 million and $6.1 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
- Our short-term investments consist of U.S. treasury securities.
- Our current notes payable balance as of December 31, 2023 was $100.0 million, and matures April 1, 2025. On February 17, 2024, this $100.0 million note from Robert W. Duggan, Chairman & CEO, was amended, extending the maturity date from September 6, 2024 to April 1, 2025, and making interest payments due at maturity. For all applicable periods commencing February 17, 2024, interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance at the greater of 12% or the U.S. prime interest rate, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, plus 350 basis points, adjusted monthly, compounded quarterly.
- Operating cash outflow for 2023 and 2022 was $76.8 million and $41.6 million, respectively.
Updated Cash Guidance
- With the extension of the $100.0 million note, we updated our cash guidance such that we now have sufficient cash to operate into the first quarter of 2025. Our prior cash guidance was to have sufficient funds going into September 2024.
GAAP and Non-GAAP Research and Development (R&D) Expenses
- R&D expenses according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) were $24.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $5.4 million for the same period of the year prior. The increase is due to increases in clinical study and development costs related to ivonescimab and increases in people cost, including stock-based compensation, as we continue to build out R&D team.
- Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $22.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $4.4 million for the same period of the year period.
GAAP and Non-GAAP General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
- GAAP G&A expenses were $11.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $7.6 million for the same period of the year prior. The increase is due to increase in stock-based compensation as we continue to build our team.
- Non-GAAP G&A expenses were $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $5.9 million for the same period of the year prior.
GAAP and Non-GAAP Net Loss
- GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022 was $36.6 million or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, and $19.3 million or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, respectively. Non-GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022 was $27.9 million or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, and $8.1 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, respectively.
- GAAP net loss in 2023 and 2022 was $614.9 million or $0.99 per basic and diluted share, and $78.8 million or $0.41 per basic and diluted share, respectively. The increase from prior year was primarily related to IPR&D expenses associated with the in-licensing of ivonescimab from Akeso and investments in the development of ivonescimab. Non-GAAP net loss in 2023 and 2022 was $79.9 million or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, and $58.4 million or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, respectively.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results
This release includes measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“Non-GAAP measures”). These Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for, Summit's reported GAAP results, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these Non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Summit management uses these Non-GAAP measures for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes and to evaluate Summit’s financial performance. Summit management believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results. For further information regarding these Non-GAAP measures, please refer to the tables presenting reconciliations of our Non-GAAP results to our U.S. GAAP results and the “Notes on our Non-GAAP Financial Information” at the end of this press release.
Fourth Quarter and Year-end 2023 Earnings Call
Summit will host an earnings call this morning, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 9:00am ET. The conference call will be accessible by dialing (888) 210-3702 (toll-free domestic) or (646) 960-0191 (international) using conference code 5785899. A live webcast and instructions for joining the call are accessible through Summit’s website www.smmttx.com. An archived edition of the webcast will be available on our website after the call.
About Ivonescimab
Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan, and as AK112 in China and Australia, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. Ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with higher affinity when in the presence of both PD-1 and VEGF.
This could differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Ivonescimab’s tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the tumor microenvironment with over 18-fold increased binding affinity to PD-1 in the presence of VEGF in vitro, and over 4-times increased binding affinity to VEGF in the presence of PD-1 in vitro.3 This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, in addition to side effects and safety profiles associated with these targets.
Ivonescimab was discovered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently engaged in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Summit has begun its clinical development of ivonescimab in NSCLC, commencing enrollment in 2023 in its two Phase III clinical trials. Over 1,600 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally.
Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is believed to impact approximately 600,000 people across the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan.4 NSCLC is the most prevalent type of lung cancer and represents approximately 80% to 85% of all incidences.5 Among patients with non-squamous NSCLC, approximately 15% have EGFR-sensitizing mutations in the United States and Europe.6 Patients with squamous histology represent approximately 25% to 30% of NSCLC patients.7
About Summit Therapeutics
Summit was founded in 2003 and our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (symbol ‘SMMT’). We are headquartered in Miami, Florida, and we have additional offices in Menlo Park, California and Oxford, United Kingdom.
Summit’s mission, in part, is to develop patient, physician, caregiver, and societal-friendly medicinal therapies intended to improve quality of life, increase potential duration of life, and resolve serious unmet medical needs.
For more information, please visit https://www.smmttx.com and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @summitplc.
Summit Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about the Company’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including but not limited to, statements about the clinical and preclinical development of the Company’s product candidates, entry into and actions related to the Company’s partnership with Akeso Inc., the Company's anticipated spending and cash runway, the therapeutic potential of the Company’s product candidates, the potential commercialization of the Company’s product candidates, the timing of initiation, completion and availability of data from clinical trials, the potential submission of applications for marketing approvals, potential acquisitions, and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "would," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the results of our evaluation of the underlying data in connection with the development and commercialization activities for ivonescimab, the outcome of discussions with regulatory authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, the uncertainties inherent in the initiation of future clinical trials, availability and timing of data from ongoing and future clinical trials, the results of such trials, and their success, and global public health crises, that may affect timing and status of our clinical trials and operations, whether preliminary results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of that trial or whether results of early clinical trials or preclinical studies will be indicative of the results of later clinical trials, whether business development opportunities to expand the Company’s pipeline of drug candidates, including without limitation, through potential acquisitions of, and/or collaborations with, other entities occur, expectations for regulatory approvals, laws and regulations affecting government contracts and funding awards, availability of funding sufficient for the Company’s foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of filings that the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any change to our ongoing trials could cause delays, affect our future expenses, and add uncertainty to our commercialization efforts, as well as to affect the likelihood of the successful completion of clinical development of ivonescimab. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements included in this press release.
Summit Therapeutics Inc. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations In millions, except per share data |
|||||||||||||||
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Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Revenue |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
0.7 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Research and development |
|
24.8 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
59.4 |
|
|
|
52.0 |
|
General and administrative |
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
30.3 |
|
|
|
26.7 |
|
In-process research and development |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
520.9 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment of intangible assets |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
||
Total operating expenses |
|
36.4 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
|
|
|
610.6 |
|
|
|
87.2 |
|
Other operating income, net |
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
Operating loss |
|
(36.2 |
) |
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
(609.6 |
) |
|
|
(72.1 |
) |
Other (expense) income, net |
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
|
|
(6.7 |
) |
Net loss |
$ |
(36.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(19.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(614.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(78.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Basic and diluted loss per share |
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.99 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
Summit Therapeutics Inc. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information In millions |
||||||||
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
December 31, 2022 |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments |
|
$ |
186.2 |
|
$ |
648.6 |
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
202.9 |
|
|
$ |
664.2 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
125.3 |
|
|
$ |
537.5 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
77.7 |
|
|
$ |
126.7 |
|
Summit Therapeutics Inc. GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information In millions |
||||||||
|
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(76.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(41.6 |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(587.8 |
) |
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
86.5 |
|
|
|
620.2 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
(577.3 |
) |
|
$ |
576.8 |
|
Summit Therapeutics Inc. Schedule Reconciling Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in millions, except share and per share data) |
|||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Research and Development Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP Research and Development |
$ |
24.8 |
|
|
$ |
5.4 |
|
|
$ |
59.4 |
|
|
$ |
52.0 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
(2.4 |
) |
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
|
|
(4.3 |
) |
Non-GAAP Research and Development |
$ |
22.4 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
|
55.0 |
|
|
$ |
47.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP General and administrative |
$ |
11.6 |
|
|
$ |
7.6 |
|
|
$ |
30.3 |
|
|
$ |
26.7 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
(6.3 |
) |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
(9.7 |
) |
|
|
(7.6 |
) |
Non-GAAP General and administrative |
$ |
5.3 |
|
|
$ |
5.9 |
|
|
|
20.6 |
|
|
$ |
19.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP In-Process Research and Development Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP In-process research and development |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
520.9 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
In-process research and development (Note 2) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(520.9 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Non-GAAP In-process research and development |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Impairment of Intangible Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP Impairment of intangible assets |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8.5 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
8.5 |
|
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
(8.5 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8.5 |
) |
Non-GAAP Impairment of intangible assets |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP Operating expenses |
$ |
36.4 |
|
|
$ |
21.4 |
|
|
$ |
610.6 |
|
|
$ |
87.2 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
(8.7 |
) |
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
|
(14.1 |
) |
|
|
(11.9 |
) |
In-process research and development (Note 2) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(520.9 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
(8.5 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(8.5 |
) |
Non-GAAP Operating expense |
$ |
27.7 |
|
|
$ |
10.3 |
|
|
$ |
75.6 |
|
|
$ |
66.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP Net Loss |
$ |
(36.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(19.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(614.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(78.8 |
) |
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
|
|
11.9 |
|
In-process research and development (Note 2) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
520.9 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Loss |
$ |
(27.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(8.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(79.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(58.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP EPS to Non-GAAP EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GAAP Loss Per Share |
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.99 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
In-process research and development (Note 2) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 3) |
|
— |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Non-GAAP Loss Per Share |
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding |
|
700.6 |
|
|
|
286.8 |
|
|
|
619.6 |
|
|
|
193.3 |
|
Summit Therapeutics, Inc.
Notes on our Non-GAAP Financial Information
Non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures for the items listed below. These Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for Summit's reported GAAP results, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these Non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Summit management uses these Non-GAAP measures for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes and to evaluate Summit’s financial performance. Summit management believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analyzing ongoing business trends and operating results.
Each of non-GAAP Research and Development Expense, non-GAAP General and Administrative Expenses, non-GAAP Operating Expenses, non-GAAP Net Loss and Non-GAAP EPS differ from GAAP in that such measures exclude the non-cash charges and costs associated with stock-based compensation. In addition, (i) non-GAAP Operating Expenses, non-GAAP Net Loss and non-GAAP EPS each exclude certain one-time charges associated with in-process research and development and impairment of intangible assets, (ii) non-GAAP In-Process Research and Development Expenses excludes certain in-process research and development charges and (iii) non-GAAP Impairment of Intangible Assets excludes certain one-time impairment charges, in each case as described further in the notes below and as expressed in the tabular reconciliation presented above.
Note 1: Stock-based compensation is a non-cash charge and costs calculated for this expense can vary year-over-year depending on the stock price of awards on the date of grant as well as the timing of compensation award arrangements.
Note 2: In-process research and development represents a one-time charge associated with the Company's in-licensing of ivonescimab from Akeso.
Note 3: The Company determined that it would cease investment in the Discuva Platform in 2022 and focus on the therapeutic area of oncology and as such recognized an impairment charge for the carrying value.
Appendix: Glossary of Critical Terms Contained Herein
Affinity – Affinity is the strength of binding of a molecule, such as a protein or antibody, to another molecule, such as a ligand.
Avidity – Avidity is the accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions.
Angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the development, formation, and maintenance of blood vessel structures. Without sufficient blood flow, tissue may experience hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) or lack of nutrition, which may cause cell death.8
Cooperative binding – Cooperative binding occurs when the number of binding sites on the molecule that can be occupied by a specific ligand (e.g., protein) is impacted by the ligand’s concentration. For example, this can be due to an affinity for the ligand that depends on the amount of ligand bound or the binding strength of the molecule to one ligand based on the concentration of another ligand, increasing the chance of another ligand binding to the compound.9
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is a type of treatment, including cancer treatments, that help a person’s immune system fight cancer. Examples include anti-PD-1 therapies.10
PD-1 – Programmed cell Death protein 1 is a protein on the surface of T cells and other cells. PD-1 plays a key role in reducing the regulation of ineffective or harmful immune responses and maintaining immune tolerance. However, with respect to cancer tumor cells, PD-1 can act as a stopping mechanism (a brake or checkpoint) by binding to PD-L1 ligands that exist on tumor cells and preventing the T cells from targeting cancerous tumor cells.11
PD-L1 – Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 is expressed by cancerous tumor cells as an adaptive immune mechanism to escape anti-tumor responses, thus believed to suppress the immune system’s response to the presence of cancer cells.12
PD-L1 TPS – PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score represents the percentage of tumor cells that express PD-L1 proteins.
PFS – Progression-Free Survival.
SQ-NSCLC – Non-small cell lung cancer tumors of squamous histology.
T Cells – T cells are a type of white blood cell that is a component of the immune system that, in general, fights against infection and harmful cells like tumor cells.13
Tetravalent – A tetravalent molecule has four binding sites or regions.
Tumor Microenvironment – The tumor microenvironment is the ecosystem that surrounds a tumor inside the body. It includes immune cells, the extracellular matrix, blood vessels and other cells, like fibroblasts. A tumor and its microenvironment constantly interact and influence each other, either positively or negatively.14
VEGF – Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a signaling protein that promotes angiogenesis.15
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1 Zhong, et al, SITC 2023
2 Akeso, Inc. Press Release, January 8, 2024
3 Zhong, et al, SITC 2023
4 American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html (Accessed Jan 2024); World Health Organization: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Globocan data by country (UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany); Japan National Cancer Registry.
5 Schabath MB, Cote ML. Cancer Progress and Priorities: Lung Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. (2019).
6 About EGFR-Positive Lung Cancer | Navigating EGFR (lungevity.org)
7 Schabath MB, Cote ML. Cancer Progress and Priorities: Lung Cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. (2019).
8 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105.
9 Stefan MI, Le Novère N. Cooperative binding. PLoS Comput Biol. 2013;9(6)
10 US National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy. Accessed October 2023.
11 Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current Researches in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 Mar 1;10(3):727-742.
12 Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current Researches in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 Mar 1;10(3):727-742.
13 Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24630-t-cells. Accessed October 2023.
14 MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-is-the-tumor-microenvironment-3-things-to-know.h00-159460056.html. Accessed October 2023.
15 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105.
