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Akeso Starts Phase 3 COMPASSION-37 for Gastric Cancer

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 3:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Akeso Enrolls First Patient

Akeso, Inc. of China enrolled the first patient in Phase III COMPASSION-37 trial for advanced gastric cancer.
The trial compares cadonilimab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone or nivolumab as first-line treatment.
It enrolls HER2-negative, untreated, unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma patients.
Investigators include Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Prof. Markus Möhler and Prof. Lin Shen.
COMPASSION-15, which enrolled 610 patients, showed cadonilimab plus chemotherapy significantly reduced death risk versus control.

Summary

Merck Licenses SPR2015

Merck paid $400 million upfront to license SPR2015 from SciBrunch Therapeutics.
The deal could reach $2.13 billion in milestones through development and commercialization.
SPR2015 is an oral molecular-glue inhibitor that targets the KRAS G12D “ON” state.
Preclinical studies showed selective activity against KRAS G12D-mutant pancreatic, lung and colorectal tumors.
Merck will record a $400 million pre-tax charge in Q3 2026, about 13 cents per share.

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Akeso Enrolls First Patient

Akeso, Inc. of China enrolled the first patient in Phase III COMPASSION-37 trial for advanced gastric cancer.
The trial compares cadonilimab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone or nivolumab as first-line treatment.
It enrolls HER2-negative, untreated, unresectable or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma patients.
Investigators include Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Prof. Markus Möhler and Prof. Lin Shen.
COMPASSION-15, which enrolled 610 patients, showed cadonilimab plus chemotherapy significantly reduced death risk versus control.

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