Why Summit Therapeutics Is Generating Buzz

September has been a noteworthy period for those closely following developments in cancer treatment. Recent advancements suggest that a significant competitor to Keytruda, the world’s top-selling cancer therapy, might be emerging.

Keytruda, manufactured by Merck, achieved substantial sales last year, establishing itself as a leading first-line treatment for patients with the most common form of lung cancer.

Summit Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SMMT) has recently generated considerable excitement in the biotech community with its lead candidate, ivonescimabResults from a recent clinical trial indicate that ivonescimab reduced the risk of disease progression by 49% compared to Keytruda monotherapy in frontline lung cancer patientsThis development positions ivonescimab as a strong competitor in the field.

Other companies in the race include Instil Bio and BioNTech, which are also developing bispecific antibodies similar to ivonescimabThese include Instil Bio’s IMM2510 and BioNTech’s BNT327These bispecific antibodies simultaneously target both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and programmed death receptors (PD-1 or PD-L1), unlike Keytruda, which typically requires combination with another agent, such as Avastin, to address both targets.

Instil Bio’s IMM2510, currently in Phase 2 trials, and BioNTech’s BNT327, in Phase 3 trials, are both competing in this spaceThe recent positive results from Summit Therapeutics have led to a significant increase in the stock value of Instil Bio, reflecting the high market interest in bispecific antibody therapies.

Summit Therapeutics holds the rights to ivonescimab outside China and Australia, presenting a promising market opportunity given Keytruda's substantial salesHowever, the market’s enthusiasm for ivonescimab is coupled with high expectations, which could pose risks if subsequent data does not meet the high standards set by the initial results.

It remains crucial to evaluate ivonescimab's performance not only against Keytruda monotherapy but also in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy and AvastinThis will determine its potential as a superior therapy in lung cancer treatmentMeanwhile, for those interested in the bispecific antibody sector, Instil Bio, with its earlier-stage product, offers a potentially attractive option given its lower market valuation compared to its more established peers.