Zai Lab Partners with Amgen on Phase 1b Trial for Small Cell Lung Cancer Therapy
Event summary
- Zai Lab and Amgen will collaborate on a global Phase 1b study to evaluate Zai Lab’s DLL3-targeting ADC, zocilurtatug pelitecan (zoci), in combination with Amgen’s IMDELLTRA® for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
- Zai Lab retains full ownership of zoci and will supply the study drug to Amgen.
- Zoci has shown high response rates in heavily pretreated SCLC patients, including strong intracranial activity, and a tolerable safety profile in previous trials.
- IMDELLTRA® is FDA-approved for ES-SCLC and demonstrates an overall survival benefit in this patient population.
The big picture
This collaboration leverages complementary mechanisms of DLL3-targeting therapies, aiming to deepen responses and address resistance pathways in ES-SCLC. The partnership underscores the growing trend of biotech companies combining innovative modalities to tackle aggressive cancers with high unmet medical needs.
What we're watching
- Clinical Efficacy
- How the combination of zoci and IMDELLTRA® will perform in terms of safety and efficacy in the Phase 1b study.
- Regulatory Pathway
- Whether the trial results could accelerate regulatory approvals for zoci as a combination therapy.
- Market Positioning
- The pace at which Zai Lab can establish zoci as a backbone ADC in first-line combination regimens for SCLC.