Summit Therapeutics Reports Financial Results and Operational Progress for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025
Ivonescimab in Combination with Chemotherapy Achieves Statistically Significant Superiority in PFS vs. Tislelizumab (PD-1 Inhibitor) Plus Chemotherapy in First-Line Treatment of Patients with Advanced
Squamous NSCLC in HARMONi-6 Study Conducted by
Enrollment Continues in Global Phase III Trial HARMONi-3 in First-Line Treatment of Patients with Metastatic NSCLC
Ivonescimab Receives Approval in
Enrollment Has Begun in HARMONi-7 Global Phase III Trial in
Ivonescimab Collaborations Progressing in Multiple Solid Tumor Settings: MD Anderson Collaboration Begins Enrolling Two Clinical Trials; Additional ISTs Initiated and Enrolling
Leadership Team Advanced with Appointment of
Operational & Corporate Updates
Operational progress continues with ivonescimab (SMT112), an investigational, potentially first-in-class bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule:
-
In
January 2023 , we closed our Collaboration and License Agreement withAkeso Inc. (Akeso , HKEX Code: 9926.HK) for ivonescimab (SMT112), with which over 2,300 patients have been treated in clinical studies globally. Summit has rights to develop and commercialize ivonescimab inthe United States ,Canada ,Europe ,Japan ,Latin America , includingMexico and all countries inCentral America ,South America , and theCaribbean , theMiddle East , andAfrica whileAkeso retains development and commercialization rights for the rest of the world, includingChina . -
Since in-licensing ivonescimab, we have begun our development for ivonescimab in non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”), specifically launching Phase III clinical trials in the following proposed indications:
- HARMONi: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)
- HARMONi-3: Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in first-line metastatic NSCLC patients
- HARMONi-7: Ivonescimab monotherapy in first-line metastatic NSCLC patients with high PD-L1 expression
-
In
October 2024 , we completed enrollment in our HARMONi clinical trial. We expect to disclose topline results from HARMONi in mid-2025. Enrollment continues in HARMONi-3 and the initial patients have been enrolled in the US in HARMONi-7. -
On
April 23, 2025 , our partner,Akeso , announced that the HARMONi-6 Phase III clinical trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) at a prespecified interim analysis conducted by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee. This trial evaluated ivonescimab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy against tislelizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, with the same chemotherapy regimen in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression. Conducted inChina by our partners atAkeso , the trial showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS for ivonescimab plus chemotherapy.Akeso noted that no new safety signals were identified.- This study is the first known Phase III trial in NSCLC to show significant improvement over a PD-(L)1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy in a head-to-head setting. Following the success of Akeso’s HARMONi-2 study, this is the second instance where ivonescimab-based regimens have demonstrated a significant PFS benefit in front-line treatment in NSCLC. The full data set for HARMONi-6 is planned to be presented at an upcoming major medical conference later this year.
-
On
April 25, 2025 ,Akeso announced that ivonescimab was approved inChina by theNational Medical Products Administration (NMPA), theChinese Health Authority , for a second indication based on the results of the HARMONi-2 trial. HARMONi-2 evaluated monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression. HARMONi-2 is a single region, multi-center, Phase III study conducted inChina sponsored byAkeso with all relevant data exclusively generated, managed, and analyzed byAkeso .-
As a part of the review of the supplemental marketing application submitted by
Akeso seeking a label expansion of ivonescimab inChina , the NMPA requested thatAkeso perform an interim analysis of overall survival (OS).Akeso announced that the results of this interim overall survival analysis included a clinically meaningful, strongly positive trend represented by a hazard ratio of 0.777. The analysis was conducted at 39% data maturity, with a nominal alpha level of 0.0001.
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As a part of the review of the supplemental marketing application submitted by
-
Ivonescimab clinical trial collaborations with leading organizations continue to progress and expand evaluating ivonescimab in solid tumor settings outside of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
- As part of our strategic collaboration with MD Anderson, two clinical trials sponsored by MD Anderson began enrolling this past quarter in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and glioblastoma.
-
We continue to support investigator-sponsored trials (ISTs) beyond our work with MD Anderson; two ISTs have begun enrolling at the
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and theDana Farber Cancer Institute . - As we announced in February, our clinical trial collaboration with Pfizer will evaluate multiple antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in combination with ivonescimab in unique solid tumor settings. The studies combining ivonescimab with Pfizer’s vedotin ADCs are planned to begin later this year. We plan to review the data generated from these clinical trials as a part of our consideration for advancing our clinical development for ivonescimab beyond non-small cell lung cancer.
-
In March, we further strengthened our leadership team with the appointment of
Robert LaCaze as Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to joining Summit,Mr. LaCaze has held senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies including Executive Vice President and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit overseeing the global oncology franchise atBayer Healthcare and Senior Vice President and Head ofGlobal Oncology atBristol-Myers Squibb . He is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with over 30 years of extensive leadership experience in commercial strategy and execution. He has a proven track record of launching multi-billion-dollar products, building and growing blockbuster drug franchises, and expanding market presence for various oncology products.
Financial Highlights
Cash and Cash Equivalents & Short-term Investments
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Aggregate cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were
$361.3 million and$412.3 million atMarch 31, 2025 andDecember 31, 2024 , respectively.
-
GAAP R&D expenses according to generally accepted accounting principles in the
U.S. (“GAAP”) were$51.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$30.9 million for the same period of the prior year. -
Non-GAAP R&D expenses were
$47.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$28.5 million for the same period of the prior year.
GAAP and Non-GAAP General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
-
GAAP G&A expenses were
$15.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$11.5 million for the same period of the prior year. -
Non-GAAP G&A expenses were
$8.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$4.4 million for the same period of the prior year.
GAAP and Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
-
GAAP operating expenses were
$66.8 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$42.4 million for the same period of the prior year. -
Non-GAAP operating expenses were
$55.7 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to$32.9 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase is primarily related to the increase in R&D expenses due to expansion of clinical studies and development costs related to ivonescimab and increases in people costs as we continue to build out our team.
GAAP and Non-GAAP Net Loss
-
GAAP net loss in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024 was
$62.9 million or$(0.09) per basic and diluted share, and$43.5 million or$(0.06) per basic and diluted share, respectively. -
Non-GAAP net loss in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024 was
$51.8 million or$(0.07) per basic and diluted share, and$34.0 million or$(0.05) per basic and diluted share, respectively.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release includes measures that are not in accordance with
First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call
Summit will host an earnings call this afternoon,
About Ivonescimab
Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories,
This could differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. Ivonescimab’s tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the TME (Zhong, et al, SITC, 2023). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days after the first dose (Zhong, et al, SITC, 2023), is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, in addition to side effects and safety profiles associated with these targets.
Ivonescimab was engineered by
Summit has begun its clinical development of ivonescimab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multi-regional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3, and the Company has begun to enroll patients in
HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial which intends to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib). Enrollment in HARMONi was completed in the second half of 2024, and top-line results are expected to be announced in the middle of this year.
HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic, squamous and non-squamous NSCLC.
HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression.
In addition,
HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI.
HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression.
HARMONi-6 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression.
Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including
About
Summit was founded in 2003 and our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (symbol "SMMT"). We are headquartered in
For more information, please visit https://www.smmttx.com and follow us on X @SMMT_TX.
Summit Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about the Company’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including but not limited to, statements about the clinical and preclinical development of the Company’s product candidates, entry into and actions related to the Company’s partnership with
Copyright 2025, Summit Therapeutics Inc. All Rights Reserved
GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except per share data) |
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Unaudited |
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Three Months Ended |
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2025 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
||||
Research and development |
$ |
51.2 |
|
|
$ |
30.9 |
|
General and administrative |
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
Total operating expenses |
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
42.4 |
|
Other income |
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
Interest expense |
|
— |
|
|
|
(3.1 |
) |
Net loss |
$ |
(62.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(43.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
||||
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders per share, basic and diluted |
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
GAAP Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information (in millions) |
||||||
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
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||
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments |
|
$ |
361.3 |
|
$ |
412.3 |
Total assets |
|
$ |
383.8 |
|
$ |
435.6 |
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
39.5 |
|
$ |
46.8 |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
344.3 |
|
$ |
388.7 |
GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information (in millions) |
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Unaudited |
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Three Months Ended |
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2025 |
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2024 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(61.1 |
) |
|
$ |
(30.1 |
) |
Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
|
160.1 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
$ |
106.7 |
|
|
$ |
(9.8 |
) |
Schedule Reconciling Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in millions, except per share data) |
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Unaudited |
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Three Months Ended |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to |
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|
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$ |
51.2 |
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|
$ |
30.9 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
(4.1 |
) |
|
|
(2.4 |
) |
|
|
$ |
47.1 |
|
|
$ |
28.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP General and Administrative Expenses |
|
|
|
|
||||
GAAP General and administrative |
|
$ |
15.6 |
|
|
$ |
11.5 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
(7.0 |
) |
|
|
(7.1 |
) |
Non-GAAP General and administrative |
|
$ |
8.6 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
||||
GAAP Operating expenses |
|
$ |
66.8 |
|
|
$ |
42.4 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
(11.1 |
) |
|
|
(9.5 |
) |
Non-GAAP Operating expense |
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
$ |
32.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss |
|
|
|
|
||||
GAAP Net Loss |
|
$ |
(62.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(43.5 |
) |
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Loss |
|
$ |
(51.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(34.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss Per Common Share |
|
|
|
|
||||
GAAP Net Loss Per Basic and Diluted Common Share |
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.06 |
) |
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Non-GAAP Net loss Per Basic and Diluted Common Share |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
Basic and Diluted Common Shares |
|
|
738.1 |
|
|
|
701.8 |
|
Schedule Reconciling Selected Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in millions) |
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Three Months Ended |
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
GAAP Operating expenses |
|
$ |
66.8 |
|
|
$ |
65.6 |
|
|
$ |
58.4 |
|
|
$ |
59.6 |
|
|
$ |
42.4 |
|
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
(11.1 |
) |
|
|
(11.0 |
) |
|
|
(19.4 |
) |
|
|
(11.1 |
) |
— |
|
(9.5 |
) |
Non-GAAP Operating Expense (Note 2) |
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
$ |
54.6 |
|
|
$ |
39.0 |
|
|
$ |
48.5 |
|
|
$ |
32.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
||||||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Net Loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
GAAP Net Loss |
|
$ |
(62.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(61.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(56.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(60.4 |
) |
|
$ |
(43.5 |
) |
Stock-based compensation (Note 1) |
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
Non-GAAP Net Loss (Note 2) |
|
$ |
(51.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(50.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(36.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(49.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(34.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Notes on our Non-GAAP Financial Information
Non-GAAP financial measures adjust GAAP financial measures for the items listed below. These Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as a substitute for Summit's reported GAAP results, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these Non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Summit management uses these non-GAAP measures for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes and to evaluate Summit’s financial performance. Summit management believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures is useful to investors for comparing prior periods and analysing ongoing business trends and operating results.
Each of non-
Note 1: Stock-based compensation is a non-cash charge and costs calculated for this expense can vary year-over-year depending on the stock price of awards on the date of grant as well as the timing of compensation award arrangements.
Note 2: Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures will no longer exclude acquired in-process research and development expenses (“IPR&D”). Non-GAAP financial measures for the three months ended
Appendix: Glossary of Critical Terms Contained Herein
Affinity – Affinity is the strength of binding of a molecule, such as a protein or antibody, to another molecule, such as a ligand.
Avidity – Avidity is the accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions.
Angiogenesis – Angiogenesis is the development, formation, and maintenance of blood vessel structures. Without sufficient blood flow, tissue may experience hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) or lack of nutrition, which may cause cell death.1
Cooperative binding – Cooperative binding occurs when the number of binding sites on the molecule that can be occupied by a specific ligand (e.g., protein) is impacted by the ligand’s concentration. For example, this can be due to an affinity for the ligand that depends on the amount of ligand bound or the binding strength of the molecule to one ligand based on the concentration of another ligand, increasing the chance of another ligand binding to the compound.2
Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is a type of treatment, including cancer treatments, that help a person’s immune system fight cancer. Examples include anti-PD-1 therapies.3
Intracranial - Within the cranium or skull.
PD-1 – Programmed cell Death protein 1 is a protein on the surface of T cells and other cells. PD-1 plays a key role in reducing the regulation of ineffective or harmful immune responses and maintaining immune tolerance. However, with respect to cancer tumor cells, PD-1 can act as a stopping mechanism (a brake or checkpoint) by binding to PD-L1 ligands that exist on tumor cells and preventing the T cells from targeting cancerous tumor cells.4
PD-L1 – Programmed cell Death Ligand 1 is expressed by cancerous tumor cells as an adaptive immune mechanism to escape anti-tumor responses, thus believed to suppress the immune system’s response to the presence of cancer cells.5
PD-L1 TPS – PD-L1 Tumor Proportion Score represents the percentage of tumor cells that express PD-L1 proteins.
PFS – Progression-Free Survival.
RANO –Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology, the standard for assessing the response of a brain or spinal cord tumor to therapy.
SQ-NSCLC – Non-small cell lung cancer tumors of squamous histology.
T Cells – T cells are a type of white blood cell that is a component of the immune system that, in general, fights against infection and harmful cells like tumor cells.6
Tetravalent – A tetravalent molecule has four binding sites or regions.
Tumor Microenvironment – The tumor microenvironment is the ecosystem that surrounds a tumor inside the body. It includes immune cells, the extracellular matrix, blood vessels and other cells, like fibroblasts. A tumor and its microenvironment constantly interact and influence each other, either positively or negatively.7
VEGF – Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a signaling protein that promotes angiogenesis.8
____________________________ |
1 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105 |
2 Stefan MI, Le Novère N. Cooperative binding. PLoS |
3 US |
4 Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current Researches in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 |
5 Han Y, et al. PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway: Current Researches in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res. 2020 |
6
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7
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8 Shibuya M. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Its Receptor (VEGFR) Signaling in Angiogenesis: A Crucial Target for Anti- and Pro-Angiogenic Therapies. Genes Cancer. 2011 Dec;2(12):1097-105. |
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Contact Summit Investor Relations:
Chief Business & Strategy Officer
Senior Director, Investor Relations
investors@smmttx.com
media@smmttx.com
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