ASCO 2025: Bispecifics, Degraders & ADC Highlights
Explore the cutting-edge of cancer treatment with insights from the ASCO 2025 meeting. The focus is laser-focused on bispecific antibodies, immunotherapy, and other key advancements, featuring groundbreaking data on drugs like ivonescimab, BNT327 in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, and the promising results of imfinzi in gastric cancer. Discover how these developments are shaping new standards of care, with significant reductions in disease progression. News Directory 3 keeps you informed on the pivotal role of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in fostering innovation. Learn about the latest clinical trial results and how companies are strategizing to incorporate these new assets. Discover what’s next in the fight against cancer.
Latest Cancer Drug Advances: Bispecific Antibodies and Immunotherapy
Updated June 15, 2025
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting highlighted the intense focus on bispecific antibodies in cancer research, with pharmaceutical companies actively pursuing deals to incorporate them into their pipelines. One notable drug was ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody from Summit Therapeutics designed to target EGFR and VEGF proteins.
While data for ivonescimab was not presented at the conference, preliminary Phase 3 results from the HARMONi study showed statistically significant progression-free survival in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer after EGFR TKI therapy. However, it narrowly missed the threshold for overall survival, a key requirement for FDA approval. Full results are pending.
BioNTech’s BNT327, a bispecific antibody binding to PD-L1 and VEGF-A, is central to its combination strategy.Bristol Myers Squibb is investing $1.5 billion upfront to collaborate on BNT327’s development, with both companies planning to test it alongside their own drugs. Ethan Smith, oncology director at Norstella, noted that BioNTech’s acquisition of BNT327’s developer, Biotheus, appears shrewd given the rising demand for these assets.
astrazeneca’s Imfinzi also showed promising clinical data in gastric/gastroesophageal cancer, potentially supporting its use as a new standard perioperative treatment. A Phase 3 trial combining the PD-L1 inhibitor with chemotherapy, both before and after surgery, resulted in a statistically significant 29% reduction in disease progression, recurrence, or death compared to chemotherapy alone.
Susan galbraith, executive vice president of oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, said that two-thirds of patients were free from recurrence and progression two years later, a considerable betterment given that a quarter of patients don’t survive beyond two years with the current standard of care.
What’s next
The field of cancer treatment is rapidly evolving, with bispecific antibodies and immunotherapy showing great promise. Ongoing trials and collaborations are expected to yield further advancements, potentially leading to new treatment options and improved outcomes for patients.