19/08/2026 Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial shows individualized mRNA therapy + KEYTRUDA improves survival in resected melanoma Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial shows individualized mRNA therapy + KEYTRUDA improves survival in resected melanoma (Ref) Merck and Moderna announced that the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial evaluating intismeran autogene (V940/mRNA-4157), an individualized mRNA-based neoantigen therapy, in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab. anti-PD-1), achieved its prima

15/07/2026 Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) + pembrolizumab improved PFS vs chemo + pembrolizumab in PD-L1–negative NSCLC KEYTRUDA delivers first-ever PFS benefit over chemotherapy in frontline dMMR endometrial cancer Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) + pembrolizumab improved PFS vs chemo + pembrolizumab in PD-L1–negative NSCLC (Ref) Sichuan Kelun-Biotech announced positive Phase 3 OptiTROP-Lung06 trial results for its TROP2 ADC sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT, SKB264/MK-28

24/06/2026 US FDA approved sacituzumab govitecan-hziy as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) EU approves KEYTRUDA + Padcev as first PD-1 + ADC perioperative regimen for cisplatin-ineligible MIBC IBRANCE secures US FDA approval as the first CDK4/6 inhibitor for HR+, HER2+ metastatic breast cancer maintenance US FDA approved sacituzumab govitecan-hziy as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizu

08/06/2026 Zai Lab secures China NMPA approval for TIVDAK®, the first ADC for recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer Merck & Gilead halt Phase 3 KEYNOTE-D46/EVOKE-03 trial as Trodelvy + Keytruda fails to show statistically significant survival benefit in first-line PD-L1–high NSCLC Zai Lab secures China NMPA approval for TIVDAK®, the first ADC for recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer (Ref) China’s NMPA approved TIVDAK® (tisotumab vedotin) for adult patients with recurrent or me

02/04/2026 Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab + paclitaxel ± bevacizumab received the EC approval for Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Carcinoma Context Therapeutics' CTIM-76 received the FDA fast track designation for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer AstraZeneca's Phase 3 EMERALD-3 trial met the PFS endpoint in embolisation-eligible unresectable HCC Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab + paclitaxel ± bevacizumab received the EC approval for Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian

04/11/2025 Merck and Blackstone enter into a $700M R&D funding agreement for Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Ref) Merck & Co./MSD entered into an agreement to receive funds managed by Blackstone Life Sciences for the development of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT; TROP2 ADC). Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will pay Merck $700 million (which is non-refundable, subject to termination provisions provided for in the agreement) to fund a portion of the development costs fo

29/10/2025 Merck's perioperative Keytruda regimen received approval from the EC for LA SCCHN with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 (Ref) The European Commission (EC) has approved Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) single agent as a neoadjuvant Tx followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab + RT with or without cisplatin after surgery, and then as a single agent for adults with resectable locally advanced SCCHN with PD-L1 CPS ≥1. The approval follows a positive CHMP opinion, and is based on resul

28/10/2025 Alphamab Oncology's JSKN003 received the FDA fast track designation for PROC (Ref) The US FDA granted the fast track designation to Alphamab Oncology's JSKN003 (biparatopic HER2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or fallopian tube cancer (PROC). To note, in Sep'24, Alphamab entered a licensing agreement with JMT-Bio Technology (a wholly-ow

19/09/2025 Merck & Co/MSD received positive EU CHMP Opinions for perioperative pembrolizumab regimen in SCCHN, and for subcutaneous administration (Ref) The EMA's CHMP adopted a positive opinion recommending the approval of Merck & Co./MSD's pembro (anti-PD-1) mono as a neoadjuvant Tx followed by adjuvant pembro + RT ± cisplatin after surgery, then pembro mono for resectable locally advanced SCCHN with PD-L1 CPS ≥1. The recommendation is based on results from the Ph3 KEYNOTE

15/09/2025 Daiichi and Merck's raludotatug deruxtecan received the Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancers (Ref) The US FDA granted the Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Daiichi Sankyo and Merck & Co./MSD's raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd; CDH6-directed ADC) for the treatment of adult patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancers expressing CDH6 who have received prior trea

18/08/2025 Izalontamab brengitecan received the Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the US FDA for EGFR-mutated NSCLC (Ref) The US FDA granted the Breakthrough Therapy Designation to SystImmune and Bristol Myers Squibb's izalontamab brengitecan (EGFR x HER3 bispecific ADC) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with an EGFR TKI and platinum

13/08/2025 Merck's perioperative Keytruda regimen received approval in Canada for resectable HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 (Ref) Health Canada granted approval to Merck & Co./MSD's pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) mono as a neoadjuvant treatment, then continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with RT +/- cisplatin and then as monotherapy for adult patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC with PD-L1 CPS ≥1. The approval is based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial in

18/06/2025 The Phase 3 IDeate-Prostate01 trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan has been initiated in pretreated, metastatic CRPC patients (Ref) The first patient has been dosed in the Phase 3 IDeate-Prostate01/NCT06925737 trial evaluating Daiichi Sankyo and Merck & Co./MSD's ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd; B7-H3 ADC) vs docetaxel in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with disease progression during or after treatment with an androgen receptor pathway

March 2nd Week, 2025 Mergers & Acquisitions 🤝 Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc is set to be acquired by SUN PHARMA, an Indian pharma giant. This deal will strengthen Sun Pharma’s onco-dermatology portfolio, as it includes Unloxcyt (cosibelimab-ipdl), an FDA-approved anti-PD-L1 treatment indicated for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) (Ref 1) ❓ How will this acquisition position Sun Pharma in the immuno-oncology space? What is the indication expansion strategy for

The first-line metastatic Melanoma market is currently dominated by immune checkpoint inhibitors—BMS' Opdivo + Yervoy, Opdualag, Opdivo, and Merck/MSD's Keytruda. Other treatment options include BRAF/MEK inhibitors (for BRAF+ve pts). Currently, Opdivo + Yervoy is considered as the gold standard with an mOS of 71.9 months; however, it is associated with a high rate of Gr 3/4 TRAEs (62.6%). BMS' Opdualag, a combination of anti-LAG-3 (relatlimab) + anti-PD-1 (nivolumab), entered

Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common feminine malignant tumor and the second leading cause of death among female cancers worldwide. Nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection, making it largely preventable through HPV vaccination. Despite this, there were 604,127 new global cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020. Localized cervical cancer, which accounts for about 43% of all cases, has a five-year relative survival rate of 91.2%. However, locally adv

Gastric cancer has remained one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. It was reported as the 5th most common cancer and the 4th leading cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020, with an observed trend of increasing incidence rates in younger adults (<50 years). Despite therapeutic progress, the survival rate for gastric cancer patients remains low, highlighting the unmet need for treatments of further potential. In this concise infographic, we highlight the

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide with a steady increase in incidence rate over the past decades. It is estimated that, if the current trends remain unchanged, the burden of breast cancer is set to grow to over 3 million new cases and 1 million deaths per year by 2040 as a result of population growth and ageing alone. The infographic highlights the current key options in Breast cancer's evolving treatment paradigm with a glimpse of the emerging the

In observance of Sarcoma Awareness Month, Oncofocus is pleased to present a user-friendly infographic. This comprehensive visual presentation aims to elucidate crucial aspects such as epidemiology, key treatment options, and emerging therapies related to sarcoma. By staying informed and actively participating in sharing this publicly accessible infographic, we can collectively raise awareness about sarcoma and its implications. Together, let us make a positive impact during S

In acknowledgment of Melanoma Awareness Month, Oncofocus presents a user-friendly infographic. It showcases a glimpse into top-level epidemiology data, key treatment options, and emerging therapies. Stay informed and help spread melanoma awareness with this publicly accessible infographic.