A Snippet of Potential Abstracts on NSCLC for ESMO 2023

While ESMO 2023 is just around the corner, the leading Pharma players including AstraZeneca Immutep, Mereo BioPharma, Mirati Therapeutics, and many more are all set to present their data readouts this session. Lung cancer affects a significant population in both the United States and Europe. NSCLC is the major form of Lung cancer accounting for approximately 80-85% of all cases. In this upcoming session, AstraZeneca is enthusiastic to present the preliminary results of its drug candidate, while Immutep is ready to present TACTI-002 overall survival results. Mirati Therapeutics is also expected to discuss their SAPPHIRE Trial which recently showed disappointing results.

NSCLC Highlights

1. Abstract Number – #1312MO

• Abstract Type - Mini Oral Session
• Indication - NSCLC 
• Target – Metastatic NSCLC 
• Title: Immutep is all Set to Present the Overall Survival Data of its Potential Soluble LAG-3 Candidate in the Upcoming Mini Oral Session
• Executive Summary – Immutep is ready to present the overall survival data of Eftilagimod alpha from the first-line NSCLC cohort of TACTI-002 trial.

Main Content – Eftilagimod alpha is a LAG-3 fusion protein that is being investigated around multiple cancers. If approved this LAG-3 fusion protein is going to be first in class and may have the ability to change or modify the current NSCLC treatment practices being followed. The drug showed positive results in its recently published data and was found to be beneficial when compared to historical controls and reported an initial median overall Survival of 25 months in NSCLC patients with >1% PD-L1 expression. 

These initial positive results of the drug seem to be good enough to build the base for upcoming advanced-stage trials and based on these promising results the data monitoring committee has further recommended extending the OS follow-up collection to show mature 3-year and potentially 5-year survival rates of this novel IO-IO combination. The drug also received fast-track designation in first-line NSCLC from the US FDA. 

The company is all set to discuss the overall survival results in the upcoming ESMO session for the First line. The same drug is being investigated in the second line (PD-X Refractory NSCLC) as well. As per the results published by the company in 2022, the combination (efti plus pembrolizumab) showed encouraging OS of 9.7 months with 25% being progression-free at 6 months and 36.5% were alive at 18 months. 

The drug is estimated to generate a market of ~USD 900 million in the United States by the end of the forecast period (2023-2032).

2. Abstract Number – #1313MO

• Abstract Type - Mini Oral Session
• Indication - NSCLC 
• Target - Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC

Title: AstraZeneca to Present the Safety and Preliminary Efficacy Data of Sabestomig (AZD7789), a Bispecific Antibody Targeting PD-1 and TIM-3

Executive Summary – AstraZeneca’s all set to discuss its potential bispecific antibody preliminary results in this session for patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC with previous anti-PD-L therapy. 

Main Content – AstraZeneca is currently investigating its potential bispecific candidates in Phase I/II trial for IIIB-IV NSCLC with previous anti-PD-L therapy. Bispecific antibodies recognize two antigens and have the potential to simultaneously inhibit different proteins, this inhibition process plays a very vital role in cancer progression. Till now only RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) has been approved for the treatment of NSCLC with EGFR mutation. The drug received a breakthrough designation and an accelerated approval thus proving a potential target class.  

Many bispecific antibodies can be seen in the pipeline and AZD7789 is one of them and a potential candidate targeting previous anti-PD-L therapy excluding patients with sensitizing EGFR mutations or ALK fusions. The current investigational trial includes two parts, Part A is dose escalation, and Part B is dose expansion. Part A is also expected to include patients with PD-L1 expression < 1% or ≥ 1% while Part B has included patients with PD-L1 expression ≥ 1%. The awaited results of this product will be discussed in ESMO 2023. 

Note: The therapeutics segment is experiencing significant NSCLC clinical trial activity, which is further expected to drive Non-Small Cell Lung Caner market growth in the coming years.