Summit Therapeutics Advances Ivonescimab Into Key Phase 3 Test in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Summit Therapeutics PLC (SMMT) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study.

Summit Therapeutics Steps Up in Colorectal Cancer With New Phase 3 Trial

1. Study Overview

Summit Therapeutics has launched a late-stage trial testing a new cancer drug in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, a large and competitive market. The official study title is “A Randomized, Active-Controlled, Double-blind, Multicenter, Phase 3 Clinical Study of Ivonescimab in Combination With FOLFOX Versus Bevacizumab in Combination With FOLFOX for the First-line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.” The key goal is to see whether ivonescimab, when added to standard chemotherapy, can match or beat bevacizumab, a current standard of care, in patients receiving first-line treatment. For investors, this is a pivotal test that could open a major new revenue stream if results are positive.

2. Intervention/Treatment

The study compares two drug regimens on top of standard chemotherapy. The test arm uses ivonescimab, an experimental antibody drug, combined with the common FOLFOX chemotherapy mix, then continued with ivonescimab plus a lighter maintenance regimen. The control arm uses bevacizumab, an established cancer antibody originally developed by Roche/Genentech, with the same chemotherapy and maintenance structure. Both treatments are given by intravenous infusion and are intended to slow tumor growth and extend patient survival.

3. Study Design

This is an interventional Phase 3 trial, meaning it is designed to support potential approval if successful. Patients are randomly assigned to receive either ivonescimab or bevacizumab on top of standard therapy, so each patient has a fair chance of entering either group. The study follows patients in parallel in the two groups and compares outcomes over time. It is double-blind on all sides: patients, doctors, trial staff, and outcome assessors do not know which drug a patient is receiving. The main purpose is treatment, focusing on how well the drugs work and how safe they are in real-world-like settings.

4. Study Timeline

The study was first submitted on November 10, 2025, marking the formal launch of this Phase 3 program. It is currently listed as “recruiting,” meaning patients are still being enrolled and no final results are available yet. The most recent update was posted on January 13, 2026, which confirms that the protocol and status have been reviewed and kept current. Primary and final completion dates are not shown in the extract, but Phase 3 oncology trials typically run several years, so investors should view this as a medium- to long-term catalyst rather than a near-term data event.

5. Market Implications

For Summit Therapeutics (SMMT), this trial is strategically important. Bevacizumab is a well-known benchmark in colorectal cancer, so any sign that ivonescimab can deliver equal or better outcomes would be a major value driver. It could position Summit as a serious player in a market long dominated by big pharma names such as Roche and others with strong oncology portfolios. The update that the study is recruiting and recently refreshed on the public registry should support a constructive long-term narrative, suggesting operational progress and commitment to execution. In the near term, share price reaction is likely muted, as investors usually wait for data; however, this Phase 3 move helps underpin the pipeline story and may improve sentiment among institutional investors looking for differentiated oncology assets. Competitors with entrenched colorectal cancer drugs may face pressure over time if ivonescimab shows strong survival or safety advantages, potentially shifting prescribing patterns and partnership interest toward Summit.

The study remains active and recruiting, with updated details available on the ClinicalTrials portal.

To learn more about SMMT’s potential, visit the Summit Therapeutics PLC drug pipeline page.