Arcus Biosciences and Summit Therapeutics have entered a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate casdatifan combined with ivonescimab in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, including first-line metastatic kidney cancer. The companies said the study will assess safety and efficacy in one of the most common forms of kidney cancer, where there remains a significant unmet need.
The collaboration will add a new cohort to ARC-20, Arcus’s platform study of casdatifan alone and in combinations across metastatic ccRCC. Casdatifan is Arcus’s investigational HIF-2α inhibitor, while ivonescimab is Summit’s investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody. Under the agreement, Summit will supply ivonescimab, Arcus will conduct and sponsor the combination study, and both companies will share the cost of the trial while retaining development and commercial rights to their own molecules.
Arcus CEO Terry Rosen said the pairing of a HIF-2α inhibitor with a PD-1/VEGF bispecific creates an opportunity for a well-tolerated, TKI-sparing combination with the potential to prolong survival. He said the company aims to establish casdatifan as a backbone therapy across lines of treatment. Summit President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Maky Zanganeh said ivonescimab’s dual mechanism makes it especially compelling in renal cell carcinoma and that the companies will evaluate whether the combination can improve durability of response.
The companies expect initial data from the collaboration by mid-2027. They noted that kidney cancer remains a stage-dependent disease with limited long-term survival for many patients, underscoring the need for new treatment options.
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