Akeso Launches Phase II Trial for Bispecific ADC in Breast Cancer

The trial, designated AK146D1-202, serves as a cornerstone for the company’s "IO2.0 + ADC2.0" strategy, which seeks to combine next-generation immunotherapies with targeted drug delivery to overcome resistance and safety limitations inherent in older ADC designs. By leveraging the dual-targeting capabilities of AK146D1 and the established clinical activity of ivonescimab, researchers hope to improve efficacy for patients who have exhausted traditional lines of therapy.

Breast cancer remains a significant global health burden with roughly 2.3 million new annual diagnoses. Despite advancements in precision medicine, clinical gaps persist, particularly for patients with PD-L1-negative tumors or those who develop resistance to anti-PD-1 treatments. Akeso’s current approach focuses on multi-mechanism synergy to address these unmet needs. The company is simultaneously advancing other candidates, including the HER3-targeting AK138D1, as it works to expand its portfolio of next-generation biologics.