Daiichi, Merck announce results from phase 2 trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan

Results from the IDeate-Lung01 phase 2 trial showed that ifinatamab deruxtecan demonstrated clinically meaningful response rates in patients with previously treated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, ES-SCLC. These data were presented during a late-breaking presentation and included as part of the press program at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Ifinatamab deruxtecan is a specifically engineered, potential first-in-class B7-H3 directed DXd antibody drug conjugate, ADC, discovered by Daiichi Sankyo (DSNKY) and being jointly developed by Daiichi Sankyo and Merck (MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada. Response was assessed in patients who received ifinatamab deruxtecan in both the dose optimization and single-arm expansion parts of the trial. A confirmed objective response rate of 48.2% was observed with ifinatamab deruxtecan in 137 patients with previously treated ES-SCLC as assessed by blinded independent central review. Three complete responses, 63 partial responses and 54 cases of stable disease were seen. A median duration of response of 5.3 months and a disease control rate of 87.6% were observed. Median progression-free survival was 4.9 months and median overall survival was 10.3 months.