On June 16, 2021, Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) revealed that the CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody, which the company licensed out to MSD for a total consideration of US$200 million, has entered Phase III clinical trial. This is a Phase III Study to evaluate efficacy and safety of this CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody as co-formulation with pembrolizumab（MK-1308A）in Combination with lenvatinib, versus pembrolizumab and lenvatinib, as First-Line treatment in participants with advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC).
In 2015, Akeso, Inc. out-licensed its self-developed CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody to MSD for a total consideration of US$200 million, MSD obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the drug. This CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody has been named Quavonlimab (MK-1308).
Currently this CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody has become MSD’s important oncology pipeline product. According to MSD’s investor conference call at 2021 ASCO, this CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody is being evaluated as co-formulation with pembrolizumab in 6 studies across 5 tumor types, including RCC, HCC, MSI-H CRC and Melanoma
