Adagene Reports First Patient Treated in Randomized Dose Optimization Group of Phase 2 Trial for Muzastotug (ADG126) Combined with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer
Phase 2 Clinical Trial Initiation: Adagene Inc. has commenced a Phase 2 clinical trial for muzastotug in combination with KEYTRUDA for patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer, with the first patient dosed in October 2025 and trial completion expected by early 2027.
Trial Design and Objectives: The trial will randomize patients to receive either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of muzastotug, focusing on overall response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint, while secondary endpoints include duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival.
Previous Trial Results: In a prior Phase 1b/2 trial, muzastotug demonstrated promising results, with a 29% ORR in the 20 mg/kg cohort and favorable median overall survival rates compared to existing treatments.
Company Overview: Adagene is a biotechnology company specializing in antibody-based cancer immunotherapies, utilizing advanced technologies like SAFEbody to enhance safety and efficacy in targeting tumors while minimizing off-target effects.
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FDA Approves Fast Track Status for ADAG's Colorectal Cancer Treatment
FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene Inc. received Fast Track designation from the FDA for its immuno-oncology candidate, muzastotug, in combination with Merck’s Keytruda for treating microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer, leading to a 13.8% surge in ADAG shares.
Clinical Development: Muzastotug, developed using SAFEbody masking technology, shows promising efficacy and safety in ongoing clinical trials, with plans for a phase III study to begin in 2027.
Market Performance: Despite the recent positive news, ADAG shares have declined 6.9% over the past year, contrasting with a 16.3% rise in the industry.
Comparative Stock Analysis: Other biotech stocks like ANI Pharmaceuticals, CorMedix, and Castle Biosciences have shown strong performance and earnings growth, with Zacks Rank #1 ratings, indicating potential investment opportunities.
Adagene Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for muzastotug in MSS Colorectal Cancer
- FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene's muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA®, has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, aimed at providing a more effective treatment option for MSS colorectal cancer patients without liver metastases, marking a significant advancement for the company in the oncology field.
- Clinical Trial Design Confirmation: The FDA has confirmed Adagene's randomized Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial designs, which will enroll late-line MSS CRC patients, further validating the efficacy and safety of muzastotug and reinforcing the company's leadership in cancer immunotherapy.
- Enhanced Efficacy and Safety: Muzastotug employs advanced SAFEbody® technology to improve efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity, with clinical evidence showing promising efficacy and tolerability in heavily pretreated patients, potentially reshaping existing treatment paradigms.
- Future Development Plans: Adagene plans to initiate its registration trial in 2027 and will share updated Phase 1b/2 clinical data in the coming months, demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation and market potential in the oncology treatment landscape.
Adagene Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for muzastotug in MSS Colorectal Cancer
- FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene's muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA®, has received FDA Fast Track designation, aimed at providing a more effective treatment option for MSS colorectal cancer patients without liver metastases, marking a significant advancement for the company in the oncology field.
- Clinical Data Support: Preliminary clinical evidence shows muzastotug demonstrates promising efficacy and safety in heavily pretreated patients, potentially offering extended survival opportunities and reshaping existing treatment paradigms, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the biopharmaceutical market.
- Future Trial Design: Adagene plans to initiate a registration trial in 2027, with Phase 2 and Phase 3 designs confirmed by the FDA, ensuring scientific rigor and effectiveness in clinical trials, paving the way for future drug approvals.
- Innovative Technology Potential: Muzastotug employs Adagene's SAFEbody® technology to reduce systemic toxicity while enhancing antitumor potency, showcasing the company's innovative capabilities in antibody therapies and potentially providing new directions for future treatment options.
What’s Driving Adagene's Pre-market Surge?
FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA, for treating adult patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer without active liver metastases.
Clinical Development Plans: The Fast Track designation allows for more frequent interactions with the FDA and may enable a rolling review of future marketing applications as Adagene progresses with its ongoing Phase 2 trial and prepares for a registration trial set to begin in 2027.
CEO's Statement: Peter Luo, CEO of Adagene, expressed optimism about the potential of muzastotug combined with pembrolizumab to improve patient outcomes, highlighting the upcoming release of updated clinical data.
Market Reaction: Following the announcement, shares of Adagene rose by 16%, reaching $1.95 in pre-market trading.
Adagene and Palvella See Gains Following FDA Fast Track Approvals
Adagene's Fast Track Designation: Adagene's stock rose approximately 11% after the FDA granted Fast Track status for its experimental drug muzastotug, which is being combined with Merck's Keytruda for treating metastatic colorectal cancer.
Palvella Therapeutics' Fast Track Designation: Palvella Therapeutics also saw a positive market response as the FDA awarded Fast Track status to its lead drug Qtorin rapamycin, aimed at treating angiokeratomas, a skin condition lacking approved therapies.
Benefits of Fast Track Designation: The FDA's Fast Track designation allows for expedited development and review of drugs addressing serious conditions with unmet needs, facilitating more frequent communication between developers and the FDA.
Potential for Accelerated Approval: Companies with Fast Track designations may qualify for accelerated approval and priority review, which can significantly speed up their market entry.
Guggenheim Begins Coverage of Adagene with a Buy Rating and Sets Price Target at $9
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers the fastest news alerts to help traders stay informed and make timely decisions in the stock market.
Exclusive Content: Subscribers gain access to unique stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters, enhancing their trading strategies.
Community Engagement: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, sharing knowledge and experiences.
Market Winning Tools: The platform is designed to provide traders with the tools and information necessary to succeed in their trading endeavors.
FDA Approves Fast Track Status for ADAG's Colorectal Cancer Treatment
FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene Inc. received Fast Track designation from the FDA for its immuno-oncology candidate, muzastotug, in combination with Merck’s Keytruda for treating microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer, leading to a 13.8% surge in ADAG shares.
Clinical Development: Muzastotug, developed using SAFEbody masking technology, shows promising efficacy and safety in ongoing clinical trials, with plans for a phase III study to begin in 2027.
Market Performance: Despite the recent positive news, ADAG shares have declined 6.9% over the past year, contrasting with a 16.3% rise in the industry.
Comparative Stock Analysis: Other biotech stocks like ANI Pharmaceuticals, CorMedix, and Castle Biosciences have shown strong performance and earnings growth, with Zacks Rank #1 ratings, indicating potential investment opportunities.
Adagene Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for muzastotug in MSS Colorectal Cancer
- FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene's muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA®, has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, aimed at providing a more effective treatment option for MSS colorectal cancer patients without liver metastases, marking a significant advancement for the company in the oncology field.
- Clinical Trial Design Confirmation: The FDA has confirmed Adagene's randomized Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial designs, which will enroll late-line MSS CRC patients, further validating the efficacy and safety of muzastotug and reinforcing the company's leadership in cancer immunotherapy.
- Enhanced Efficacy and Safety: Muzastotug employs advanced SAFEbody® technology to improve efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity, with clinical evidence showing promising efficacy and tolerability in heavily pretreated patients, potentially reshaping existing treatment paradigms.
- Future Development Plans: Adagene plans to initiate its registration trial in 2027 and will share updated Phase 1b/2 clinical data in the coming months, demonstrating the company's ongoing innovation and market potential in the oncology treatment landscape.
Adagene Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for muzastotug in MSS Colorectal Cancer
- FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene's muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA®, has received FDA Fast Track designation, aimed at providing a more effective treatment option for MSS colorectal cancer patients without liver metastases, marking a significant advancement for the company in the oncology field.
- Clinical Data Support: Preliminary clinical evidence shows muzastotug demonstrates promising efficacy and safety in heavily pretreated patients, potentially offering extended survival opportunities and reshaping existing treatment paradigms, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the biopharmaceutical market.
- Future Trial Design: Adagene plans to initiate a registration trial in 2027, with Phase 2 and Phase 3 designs confirmed by the FDA, ensuring scientific rigor and effectiveness in clinical trials, paving the way for future drug approvals.
- Innovative Technology Potential: Muzastotug employs Adagene's SAFEbody® technology to reduce systemic toxicity while enhancing antitumor potency, showcasing the company's innovative capabilities in antibody therapies and potentially providing new directions for future treatment options.
What’s Driving Adagene's Pre-market Surge?
FDA Fast Track Designation: Adagene Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to muzastotug, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA, for treating adult patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer without active liver metastases.
Clinical Development Plans: The Fast Track designation allows for more frequent interactions with the FDA and may enable a rolling review of future marketing applications as Adagene progresses with its ongoing Phase 2 trial and prepares for a registration trial set to begin in 2027.
CEO's Statement: Peter Luo, CEO of Adagene, expressed optimism about the potential of muzastotug combined with pembrolizumab to improve patient outcomes, highlighting the upcoming release of updated clinical data.
Market Reaction: Following the announcement, shares of Adagene rose by 16%, reaching $1.95 in pre-market trading.
Adagene and Palvella See Gains Following FDA Fast Track Approvals
Adagene's Fast Track Designation: Adagene's stock rose approximately 11% after the FDA granted Fast Track status for its experimental drug muzastotug, which is being combined with Merck's Keytruda for treating metastatic colorectal cancer.
Palvella Therapeutics' Fast Track Designation: Palvella Therapeutics also saw a positive market response as the FDA awarded Fast Track status to its lead drug Qtorin rapamycin, aimed at treating angiokeratomas, a skin condition lacking approved therapies.
Benefits of Fast Track Designation: The FDA's Fast Track designation allows for expedited development and review of drugs addressing serious conditions with unmet needs, facilitating more frequent communication between developers and the FDA.
Potential for Accelerated Approval: Companies with Fast Track designations may qualify for accelerated approval and priority review, which can significantly speed up their market entry.
Guggenheim Begins Coverage of Adagene with a Buy Rating and Sets Price Target at $9
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers the fastest news alerts to help traders stay informed and make timely decisions in the stock market.
Exclusive Content: Subscribers gain access to unique stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters, enhancing their trading strategies.
Community Engagement: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, sharing knowledge and experiences.
Market Winning Tools: The platform is designed to provide traders with the tools and information necessary to succeed in their trading endeavors.
