Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has initiated a multi-country Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Envafolimab, a novel subcutaneous PD-L1 inhibitor, in patients with resectable Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The company has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to begin patient enrollment and dosing in the country.
In parallel, Glenmark has submitted a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) in Russia and is preparing to open additional clinical trial sites in Brazil and Mexico, further expanding the global footprint of this pivotal study.
The randomized, multi-center, Phase 3 trial will assess the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of Envafolimab in patients with resectable Stage IIIA and IIIB (N2) NSCLC. A parallel Phase 3 study of Envafolimab sponsored by 3D Medicines Inc., was initiated in December 2023 and is actively recruiting in China.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with NSCLC comprising approximately 80-85% of cases, and 20-30% diagnosed at Stage III. Despite surgical options for a subset of Stage III patients, five-year survival remains poor, ranging from 36% and 26% at Stage IIIA and IIIB respectively. These outcomes highlight the urgent need for innovative, accessible immunotherapy options like Envafolimab to improve prognosis in resectable Stage III NSCLC.
Dr. Monika Tandon, Global Head of Clinical Development, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, said, “The initiation of this pivotal Phase 3 study for Envafolimab marks an important milestone in Glenmark's journey to reimagine possibilities in oncology. With its novel subcutaneous administration, Envafolimab has the potential to make cutting-edge immunotherapy more accessible and convenient for patients worldwide, especially in regions where healthcare resources are constrained. By advancing this trial across multiple geographies, we are reinforcing our commitment to transforming the standard of care in Stage III NSCLC and addressing one of the greatest unmet needs in cancer treatment today."
Envafolimab is an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor (recombinant single domain anti-PD-L1 fused with Fc portion of human IgG1) administered subcutaneously, invented by Alphamab Oncology, and co-developed with 3D Medicines Inc. since 2016. Envafolimab Injection is approved by National Medical Products Agency (NMPA) in China in November 2021, as a global-first subcutaneous anti-PD-L1, for the treatment of advanced unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with MSI-H/dMMR. More than 40,000 cancer patients have already benefited in China from this drug. In 2024, Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines Inc. entered into a licensing agreement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals for Envafolimab, pursuant to which Glenmark was granted an exclusive license for development, registration and commercialization of oncology indications of Envafolimab in India, Asia Pacific (except Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia), the Middle East and Africa, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States and Latin America. Currently, Envafolimab is also undergoing clinical development in multiple Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials for the treatment of various tumors e.g., resectable non-small cell cancer, advanced/metastatic biliary tract cancer, metastatic endometrial cancer, renal cell cancer, etc.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
