Abion to Present Phase 2 Vabametkib Data at ASCO: "Promising Monotherapy Response"

Abion announced on May 27 that it will present global Phase 2 monotherapy data for its flagship anticancer drug candidate, Vabametkib (ABN401), at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The event will be held in Chicago, United States, from May 29 (local time) to June 2.

Vabametkib is a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) mutations, and Phase 2 clinical trials are currently underway in the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea. In the Phase 2 monotherapy group, Vabametkib achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 43.2% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 97.3%. Notably, the proportion of patients who showed a partial response (PR) reached 43%, demonstrating significant efficacy with Vabametkib monotherapy alone.

Abion emphasized that these results not only highlight the potential of Vabametkib as a monotherapy, but also suggest the possibility of combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In particular, the company drew attention to the high PR response observed in patients who had received first-line treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. Abion expressed expectations for future market expansion through combination therapy or targeting patients who discontinued treatment.

A company representative stated, "At ASCO, we also plan to disclose 'Trial in Progress' data for the ongoing combination therapy cohort (Cohort 2). Based on additional data, we will consider combination clinical trials with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors if necessary."

Meanwhile, in April, Abion signed a letter of intent (LOI) for technology transfer terms with a Russia-based global pharmaceutical company, covering Russia and four Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries for Vabametkib. The upcoming ASCO presentation is expected to provide positive momentum for future global commercialization, including the signing of a definitive technology export agreement.