Just two months after Summit Therapeutics and Akeso announced that the PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody ivonescimab beat Merck & Co.’s PD-1 blockbuster Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in a Phase III lung cancer trial, Merck announced it will acquire its own PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody through a licensing deal with Shanghai-based LaNova.
Merck & Co. Jumps Into PD-1/VEGF Bispecific Race With LaNova Deal
The company will in-license LM-299, gaining a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody that could help it defend its blockbuster PD-1 franchise against looming competition.
