Zai Lab Announces Updated Phase 1 Data for Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (formerly ZL-1310), Demonstrating Potential as a First-in-Class/Best-in-Class DLL3-Targeted ADC for Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Initiation of Global Phase 3 Registrational Study
- Robust responses observed in heavily pre-treated patients with a 68% ORR for 1.6 mg/kg in second-line setting
-Compelling activity in patients with baseline brain metastases (n=32), including an 80% ORR for patients without prior brain radiotherapy
- Duration of response of 6.1 months across all doses and all lines of therapy; enrollment continuing for 1.2 mg/kg and 1.6 mg/kg, with nearly half of responders ongoing at data cut-off
- Potential best-in-class safety profile with a low rate of Grade ≥3 TRAEs and no discontinuations in the 1.6mg/kg cohort
- Global Phase 3 trial, ZL-1310-003, has initiated in second-line plus small cell lung cancer (SCLC); first-line SCLC and neuroendocrine carcinoma programs advancing toward registrational phase in 2026
“The strong and durable antitumor activity we have observed with zoci, alongside a well-tolerated safety profile, highlights its potential to be a best-in-class, DLL3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate for small cell lung cancer,” said
The presentation includes updated results from the Phase 1 monotherapy dose escalation and dose expansion portion of the study from 115 patients across six dose cohorts (0.8 mg/kg, 1.2 mg/kg, 1.6 mg/kg, 2.0 mg/kg, 2.4 mg/kg, and 2.8 mg/kg) as of the data cut-off date of
All patients in this multicenter study had progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy, and 90% of patients had progressed after immune checkpoint inhibitors. Of all patients, 44% had failed two prior lines of therapy, making this a highly pretreated population with limited therapeutic options. Eleven patients received a prior DLL3 bi-specific antibody. A total of 32% of patients had brain metastases at baseline. This study included patients in
Key efficacy results include (n=102):
- Zoci demonstrated a high response rate across all dose levels in patients with ES-SCLC who progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Efficacy was consistent over time with additional patients and longer follow-up.
- In a subset of patients (n=53) receiving zoci as a second-line treatment, the best overall response rate (ORR) observed among patients in the 1.6 mg/kg arm (n=19) was 68%.
- A high response rate was also observed in patients (n=32) with brain metastasis at baseline, including an ORR of 80% for patients without prior brain radiotherapy.
- Three out of seven patients who progressed after prior tarlatamab, responded. Enrollment of tarlatamab pretreated patients continues.
- The estimated median duration of response (DoR) is 6.1 months, and median progression-free survival is 5.4 months across all doses and all lines of therapy. Responses were durable and clinically meaningful in this heavily pre-treated and difficult-to-treat population. In the dose finding cohort of the study, enrollment continues for 1.2 mg/kg and 1.6 mg/kg, with nearly half of responders still ongoing at data cut-off. Enrollment is expected to complete in Q4 2025.
- Responses occurred early in treatment with a median time to confirmed objective response of 6 weeks.
Key safety findings include (n=115):
- Zoci continues to demonstrate a well-tolerated safety profile with longer follow-up, particularly at the 1.2 or 1.6mg/kg dose level.
- In the 1.6 mg/kg dose cohort, Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) occurred in 13% of patients and serious TRAEs occurred in 9%. No patients were discontinued due to toxicity.
- There were two cases of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease, both Grade 1, in the 72 patients treated at 1.2 or 1.6 mg/kg dose.
- Across all dose cohorts, Grade 3 or higher TRAEs occurred in 20% of patients and serious TRAEs in 8%. The most common Grade 3 or higher TRAEs were anemia (10%) and neutropenia (11%). There were five patients who discontinued due to TRAEs, all in the higher dose levels.
“DLL3 represents a validated target in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, where there is high need for new therapies given the disease’s aggressive nature and limited treatment options,” said
Global Phase 3 Registrational Study Opens for Patient Enrollment
The Phase 3 registrational clinical trial of zoci is a multicenter study that will enroll approximately 665 patients globally, including in
To learn more about the Phase 3 clinical trial program and study locations, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT07218146).
Details regarding the webcast and conference call are as follows:
Date/Time:
Webcast presentation (preferred):https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/92agda72/
Dial-in:https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIcb9a4304d71946febe2796d440873654
Presenter:
Details regarding the zoci oral presentation are as follows:
Title: Phase 1 trial of ZL-1310, a DLL3-targeted ADC, in patients with previously treated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Presenter:
Session Title: Plenary Session 3: Antibody Drug Conjugates
Date/Time:
Location:
About Small Cell
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal solid tumors, accounting for ~15% of the approximately 2.5 million patients diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide each year1,2. Additionally, two-thirds of all SCLC patients are diagnosed at extensive stage3.
DLL3 is an antigen overexpressed in many neuroendocrine tumors, such as SCLC, and is often associated with poor clinical outcomes. Zocilurtatug pelitecan (zoci), formerly known as ZL-1310, comprises a humanized anti-DLL3 monoclonal antibody connected via a cleavable linker to a novel camptothecin derivative (a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor) as its payload. The compound was designed with a novel ADC technology platform called TMALIN®, which leverages the tumor microenvironment to overcome challenges associated with first-generation ADC therapies.
Zoci received an Orphan Drug Designation from the
About the Webcast and Conference Call
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A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company's website.
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References:
1 J Thorac Oncol. 2023 Jan;18(1):31-46;
2 WHO Globocan 2022.
3 Sabari JK, et al. Nat Rev
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