Merck/Kelun-Biotech ADC Candidate Sac-TMT Demonstrates Superior Progression-Free Survival Over Chemotherapy in China Phase 3 Lung Cancer Study

July 19, 2026

Endpoints News USA

Overview

Merck’s partner Kelun-Biotech announced positive Phase 3 study results in China for sac-TMT, an experimental antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). In non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, sac-TMT combined with immunotherapy significantly staved off disease progression better than standard chemotherapy. This suggests sac-TMT’s potential as a cornerstone treatment, possibly replacing conventional chemotherapy in this indication.

In Depth

Key Findings

Merck’s partner, Kelun-Biotech, has announced positive Phase 3 study results in China for sac-TMT, an experimental antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study revealed that sac-TMT, when administered in combination with an immunotherapy, staved off disease progression more effectively than standard chemotherapy. This significant finding suggests sac-TMT’s potential to become a cornerstone treatment for NSCLC, potentially replacing or significantly altering existing chemotherapy regimens.

Technical / Clinical Details

Sac-TMT is an antibody-drug conjugate designed to deliver a potent cytotoxic payload directly to cancer cells expressing a specific target antigen, thereby minimizing systemic toxicity. While precise efficacy numbers such as median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rates (ORR) were not fully detailed in the initial summary, the announcement explicitly states that the combination therapy demonstrated superiority over standard chemotherapy. This efficacy is crucial in advanced NSCLC, a disease where patients often face limited therapeutic options and severe side effects from conventional treatments. The ADC platform leverages the specificity of antibodies to achieve targeted drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic index and patient outcomes.

Background & Context

Non-small cell lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, and there is a critical need for more effective and less toxic treatments, especially for advanced stages. Traditional chemotherapy, while effective to a degree, is associated with considerable systemic side effects that significantly impact patient quality of life. Antibody-drug conjugates have emerged as a transformative class of therapeutics, demonstrating impressive clinical activity across various cancer types by combining the precision of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of small-molecule drugs. The collaboration between a pharmaceutical giant like Merck and a biotech innovator like Kelun-Biotech, yielding such positive Phase 3 data, highlights the accelerating development and adoption of ADCs in challenging indications like lung cancer.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The positive results from this Phase 3 study in China represent a strong basis for regulatory submission and potential approval in the Chinese market. Furthermore, these findings are likely to influence sac-TMT’s global development strategy, potentially positioning it as a frontline treatment option in other major markets. If sac-TMT can indeed replace or significantly reduce reliance on chemotherapy for NSCLC, it would lead to a paradigm shift in treatment, offering patients better efficacy with a potentially improved safety profile. This advancement underscores the maturation of ADC technology and its growing impact on the landscape of oncology therapeutics, attracting significant interest from investors and clinicians alike.

Source: https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/merck-sac-tmt-lung-cancer-optitrop-lung06-results/825277/

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