From April 17 to 22, local time, the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting was held in San Diego, USA. LaNova Medicines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177.HK), announced for the first time preliminary clinical data for its independently developed innovative drug MK-2010/LM-299 (a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody). The drug demonstrated a manageable safety profile and preliminary anti-tumor activity, supporting its further development as a monotherapy or in combination therapy. 

In November 2024, LaNova Medicines entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, USA, granting Merck an exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize LM-299 worldwide. 

MK-2010/LM-299 is an investigational tetravalent bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It utilizes an IgG-VHH fusion structure with Fcγ silencing function. Therapeutic strategies based on combined PD-1 inhibition and VEGF blockade, whether through co-administration or bispecific antibodies, have shown clinical efficacy in various advanced solid tumors. 

The presentation titled "Preliminary results from a first-in-human study of MK-2010, a PD-1 × VEGF bispecific antibody" (Abstract No.: CT057/17) revealed key safety and efficacy data (Phase 1/2 study):

● A total of 112 patients received treatment, including a dose-escalation cohort (n=40) and a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expansion cohort (n=72). This included heavily pretreated patients (68% with prior systemic therapy, 60% with prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, and 26% with prior anti-VEGF therapy). 

● MK-2010/LM-299 demonstrated a manageable safety profile. No Grade 5 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed, and one patient discontinued due to a TRAE (in the dose-escalation cohort). In the NSCLC expansion cohort, TRAEs were mostly low-grade. The incidence of Grade 3-4 TRAEs was low (17-27%), and no treatment-related deaths were reported. VEGF inhibitor-related toxicities were manageable, with the vast majority being ≤ Grade 3. 

● Preliminary anti-tumor activity was observed. In treatment-naïve patients in the NSCLC expansion cohort, the unconfirmed objective response rates (ORR) were 55% and 44% for the 20 mg/kg Q3W and 30 mg/kg Q3W groups, respectively. 

● Pharmacokinetic analysis showed an estimated average half-life of 9.5-12.6 days. 

In the first-line treatment of NSCLC patients, MK-2010/LM-299 achieved an ORR of up to 55% at the 20 mg/kg Q3W dose level, with an incidence of ≥ Grade 3 TRAEs of only 17%. The above early data indicate that MK-2010/LM-299 exhibits a manageable safety profile and preliminary anti-tumor activity within the tested dose range, supporting its further development as a monotherapy or in combination therapy. 

Declaration:

1. This press release is intended to facilitate the communication and exchange of medical information and is for reference by healthcare professionals only. It is not for advertising purposes. 

2. The company does not recommend any drugs and/or indications. 

3. The information contained in this press release is for reference only and cannot replace professional medical guidance in any way, nor should it be considered as a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. If you wish to understand specific disease diagnosis and treatment information, please follow the advice or guidance of a physician or other healthcare professional. 

Forward-Looking Statements:

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