Hutchmed China upbeat on results from lung cancer trial

(Sharecast News) - Hutchmed China reported positive interim results from its phase three 'SACHI' trial on Monday, showing that the combination of savolitinib and osimertinib significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and MET amplification, following progression on first-line EGFR inhibitor therapy. Data presented at the ASCO annual meeting showed that patients receiving the all-oral combination had a median PFS of 8.2 months compared with 4.5 months for those treated with chemotherapy, based on investigator assessment.

An independent review recorded a median PFS of 7.2 months versus 4.2 months, respectively.

The AIM-traded firm said the objective response rate was 58% with the combination versus 34% for chemotherapy, with a notably longer median duration of response of 8.4 months compared with 3.2 months.

It said the combination demonstrated a favourable safety profile, with rates of grade three or higher treatment-emergent adverse events identical at 57% in both arms, and no new safety signals identified.

Subgroup analyses showed consistent efficacy in patients who previously received third-generation EGFR TKIs.

Following a positive interim review by the independent data monitoring committee, the study had closed to further enrolment.

A new drug application for the combination therapy had been accepted and granted priority review by China's National Medical Products Administration.

Savolitinib, a highly selective MET inhibitor marketed in China under the brand name 'Orpathys', was co-developed with AstraZeneca and already approved for NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping mutations.

It was also in development across other cancer types including kidney and gastric cancers.

At 0951 BST, shares in Hutchmed China were down 2.66% at 201.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.