Akeso has dosed the first patient in a Phase II clinical study evaluating AK146D1 in combination with ivonescimab for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
AK146D1 is an internally developed TROP2/Nectin-4 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate. Ivonescimab is Akeso’s PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, which has been studied across multiple Phase III programmes.
This is relevant because advanced NSCLC remains a major global cancer burden, and treatment strategies are increasingly combining immune checkpoint modulation with targeted cytotoxic delivery. ADCs are being developed to improve tumour targeting and reduce some limitations associated with conventional chemotherapy.
The Phase II study, AK146D1-201, evaluates the combination of AK146D1 and ivonescimab as part of Akeso’s broader “IO2.0 + ADC2.0” strategy.
Akeso is developing a pipeline of next-generation ADC candidates, including AK146D1, AK138D1, AK157D1 and AK158D1. Several of these candidates have already entered clinical development.
The company said AK146D1 is designed to address limitations associated with conventional ADCs, including narrow therapeutic windows and safety constraints. The TROP2/Nectin-4 bispecific design aims to improve tumour targeting in solid tumours.
The programme also builds on Akeso’s bispecific antibody platform. The company has two approved bispecific antibodies for cancer immunotherapy and a broader pipeline of more than 50 innovative assets across oncology, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disorders and other therapeutic areas.
