What's Happening?
Denmark-based biotechnology company Genmab has decided to discontinue the development of its lung cancer drug, acasunlimab, which had reached phase 3 clinical trials. This decision follows a strategic review of Genmab's drug pipeline and comes 18 months after BioNTech, Genmab's former partner, withdrew from their collaboration on the drug. Acasunlimab, a PD-L1x4-1BB bispecific antibody, was designed to activate T cells and natural killer cells in PD-L1-expressing tumors. It was being tested as a monotherapy and in combination with MSD's Keytruda in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had not responded to previous treatments. Despite encouraging data, Genmab's CEO, Jan van de Winkel, stated that the company is prioritizing other high-impact
opportunities in its late-stage pipeline.
Why It's Important?
The decision to halt acasunlimab's development highlights the competitive and rapidly evolving landscape of cancer treatment, particularly in the field of immunotherapy. Genmab's move reflects a strategic shift towards focusing on other promising candidates, such as Epkinly, petosemtamab, and Rina-S, which are showing significant potential in treating various cancers. This decision underscores the challenges biopharmaceutical companies face in balancing innovation with market viability. The discontinuation of acasunlimab may impact patients seeking new treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer, a disease with limited effective therapies after standard treatments fail.
What's Next?
Genmab will continue to focus on its other late-stage candidates, including Epkinly, which is already marketed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and petosemtamab, which has shown promise in head and neck cancer. The company is also advancing Rina-S, an antibody-drug conjugate for ovarian cancer. These efforts are part of Genmab's strategy to concentrate on therapies with greater market potential and clinical impact. The company has stated that the decision to discontinue acasunlimab will not affect its financial guidance for 2025, indicating a strong commitment to its remaining pipeline.
