Kelun-Biotech's Sac-TMT Shows Strong Phase III Results in NSCLC Combination Therapy

Event summary

  • Phase III OptiTROP-Lung05 study of sac-TMT + pembrolizumab in NSCLC showed median PFS not reached vs 5.7 months (HR=0.35, p<0.0001).
  • 12-month PFS rate was 62.4% for combination vs 29.0% for pembrolizumab alone.
  • Study results presented at ASCO 2026 and published in The Lancet (Impact Factor=88.5).
  • Sac-TMT has four approved indications in China, with two included in National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).
  • MSD is conducting 17 global Phase III studies of sac-TMT as monotherapy or in combination.

The big picture

Kelun-Biotech's positive Phase III results for sac-TMT in combination with pembrolizumab position it as a key player in the evolving ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) market. The study's success highlights the growing importance of combination therapies in oncology, particularly for NSCLC. With MSD's global reach and Kelun-Biotech's proprietary ADC platform, this partnership could reshape treatment paradigms for multiple cancer types.

What we're watching

Regulatory Approval
Whether the NMPA will grant priority review approval for sac-TMT + pembrolizumab combination in first-line NSCLC.
Commercialization Strategy
How Kelun-Biotech and MSD will position sac-TMT in global markets given its differentiated ADC technology.
Clinical Development
The pace at which MSD advances its 17 ongoing global Phase III studies of sac-TMT across multiple cancer types.

Related topics

Oncology