Daiichi Sankyo and MSD (Merck and Co.) have announced the dosing of the first subject in the Phase III IDeate-Lung02 clinical trial of ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in people with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and co-developed with MSD, I-DXd is a B7-H3-directed DXd antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The global, multi-centre, randomised, open-label trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of I-DXd against the physician’s choice of chemotherapy comprising amrubicin, lurbinectedin or topotecan.

It will enrol 460 relapsed SCLC patients who have progressed following a single prior line of platinum-based chemotherapy across Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America.

Patients will be randomised in the trial to receive either 12mg/kg I-DXd or chemotherapy.

Objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival are the trial’s dual primary endpoints.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Secondary endpoints include ORR, progression-free survival, duration of response, disease control rate, and time to response.

Daiichi Sankyo oncology clinical development global head Mark Rutstein said: “Patients living with small cell lung cancer face poor outcomes with currently available treatments.

“The IDeate-Lung02 trial is an important next step as we look to better understand the role of ifinatamab deruxtecan as a potential new medicine for patients with certain types of small cell lung cancer.”

Daiichi Sankyo and MSD formed an international partnership in October last year for the co-development and co-commercialisation of I-DXd, patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd).

The deal excludes Japan, where Daiichi Sankyo retains exclusive rights.

Merck Research Laboratories global clinical development oncology head and senior vice-president Marjorie Green said: “The initiation of the IDeate-Lung02 trial for ifinatamab deruxtecan marks the second pivotal study since the start of our collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and follows the recent initiation of the REJOICE-Ovarian01 Phase II/III study for raludotatug deruxtecan.”

In April this year, the companies dosed the first subject in the Phase II/III REJOICE-Ovarian01 trial of R-DXd in platinum-resistant, ovarian cancer patients.

Clinical Trials Arena Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Clinical Trials Arena Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact

Excellence in Action
Science 37 has won the Research and Development Award in the Site Innovation category for its FDA inspected Direct-to-Patient Site model, delivering nationwide access, faster enrollment and higher retention. Explore how its virtual-first, in home approach is reshaping trial operations and accelerating time to data-driven decisions..

Discover the Impact