Akeso, Inc. (HK:9926) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study.
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The Phase Ib/II study “A Phase Ib/II Study of AK112 in Combination Therapy for Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)” tests Akeso’s AK112 in advanced liver cancer. It aims to find a safe dose and then see if AK112 alone or in combos can match or beat a leading drug mix, which could open a new growth path for Akeso if results are strong.
The trial evaluates AK112, an antibody drug, used alone and with other Akeso antibodies AK130 and AK127, as well as Cadonilimab. It also compares these regimens to a control arm using Sintilimab plus a Bevacizumab biosimilar, which is a current standard-style combo for this cancer type in China.
This is an interventional trial where patients are randomly assigned to different treatment arms running in parallel. There is no blinding, so both doctors and patients know which drugs are used, and the main focus is treatment benefit and safety rather than prevention or diagnosis.
The study was first submitted in July 2024, signaling when the program formally entered the clinical registry and planning stage. The latest update was filed on March 2, 2026, showing the protocol and recruitment status are current, while primary and final completion dates are still ahead and not yet reported.
For investors, the update confirms that Akeso (HK:9926) is actively pushing AK112 deeper into high-need cancers like HCC, which can support a higher R&D-driven valuation if data are positive. The head-to-head element versus Sintilimab plus Bevacizumab biosimilar raises the competitive bar and, if successful, could improve Akeso’s bargaining power and future pricing in China’s crowded immuno-oncology market.
Competitors in PD-1 and VEGF-targeting drugs, including Chinese peers and multinational firms, will watch this closely because a strong AK112 profile might pressure pricing or share in advanced HCC. Sentiment on Akeso’s stock is likely to track milestones such as safety readouts and early efficacy data, so news flow from this trial may act as a catalyst for short-term volatility and longer-term re-rating potential.
The trial remains active and updated, and further operational and clinical details can be found on the ClinicalTrials portal.
To learn more about HK:9926’s potential, visit the Akeso, Inc. drug pipeline page.