astrazeneca stomach cancer drug | sone-ve survival boost

AstraZeneca's experimental cancer drug, sonesitatug vedotin, showed a 42% reduction in death risk in a Phase 3 trial for advanced stomach cancer. Patients on the drug lived a median of 10.6 months vs. 6.4 months with chemotherapy. The trial included 532 patients with CLDN18.2-expressing tumors. The drug targets this protein, found on certain cancer cells, and is designed to deliver its effects specifically to them.

AstraZeneca's experimental drug Sone-ve (sonesitatug vedotin) doubled median survival to 10 months in advanced stomach cancer patients vs. 5 months with chemotherapy, per late-stage trial data presented at ESMO Congress. The drug showed a 53% reduction in death risk but missed its progression-free survival goal. AstraZeneca aims for regulatory approvals and sees potential peak sales of $3B-$5B.

AstraZeneca presented positive late-stage trial data for its first fully owned antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), sone-ve, showing a 42% reduction in death risk for advanced gastric cancer patients. The company plans to file for regulatory approval, aiming to strengthen its position in the fast-growing oncology market. AstraZeneca estimates peak revenue of $3B-$5B for sone-ve and over $5B for its broader ADC portfolio.

Amgen (AMGN) reported Phase 3 results showing Imdelltra with AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Imfinzi reduced death risk by 58% in extensive stage small cell lung cancer, extending median overall survival to 21.1 months. Data was presented at ESMO Congress 2026 and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

AstraZeneca's Imfinzi and Pfizer's Padcev reduced death risk by 42% in bladder cancer patients in a Phase 3 trial. The combination also lowered cancer progression risk by 49% and improved survival rates. Imfinzi's sales grew 37% in 2025, but faces competition from Merck's Keytruda, which had $32B in 2025 revenue.

AstraZeneca's experimental stomach cancer drug, sonesitatug vedotin, extended survival by five months compared to standard treatments, according to a study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology meeting. The drug showed greater benefits when administered after two prior treatments. AstraZeneca estimates potential annual sales of $3B-$5B, with analysts suggesting up to $2.2B if the survival benefit is confirmed. The company is discussing the data with health authorities.