Zai Lab Presents Updated Clinical Data Demonstrating Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (Zoci) Induces Clinically Meaningful Responses and a Manageable Safety Profile in Previously Treated Extrapulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinomas
- In the Phase 1b/2 trial, zoci, a potential first-in-class DLL3-targeting antibody drug conjugate, demonstrated clinically meaningful responses in patients with previously treated advanced extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (epNECs), with a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 40.0% and a median duration of response (mDOR) of 5.6 months
- Results indicate responses to zoci monotherapy treatment among multiple epNEC subtypes, including gastroenteropancreatic NEC (GEP-NEC) and other epNEC subgroups, with confirmed ORRs of 35.9% and 47.6%, respectively; deepening anti-tumor activity was observed over time
- Zoci demonstrated a manageable safety profile, with a treatment-related discontinuation rate of less than 1%, no treatment-related deaths, and a low rate of interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis (1.5%, 2 cases, both Grade 2)
- Zai will pursue a potential accelerated approval pathway for zoci in previously treated advanced epNECs based on results from Phase 1/2 trial, with topline data of the full epNEC population expected in 2027
- Global Phase 3 first-line maintenance trial of zoci monotherapy in epNECs expected to initiate in 2027
There is currently no established standard of care for patients with epNECs who progress on or after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Chemotherapy regimens commonly used in clinical practice have limited efficacy, particularly in gastroenteropancreatic NEC (GEP-NEC), and outcomes remain poor.1
“Given the aggressiveness of epNECs and the relatively limited treatment options following platinum-based chemotherapy, patients who have advanced or metastatic disease need additional options,” said
Updated data from the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of zoci (NCT06885281) showed clinically meaningful responses in patients with advanced or metastatic epNECs that had progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The study evaluated zoci administered intravenously as monotherapy at 1.6 mg/kg every three weeks. Tumor response was evaluated by investigator-assessed RECIST v1.1 with additional assessments for some NECs.
- In the study’s primary efficacy population of 60 patients by the data cutoff, investigator-assessed confirmed ORR was 40.0% (24/60; 95% CI: 27.6%-53.5%), and disease control rate was 55.0% (33/60, 95% CI: 41.6%-67.9%).
- Treatment with zoci decreased tumor sizes in multiple epNEC subtypes: Confirmed ORR was 35.9% (14/39, 95% CI: 21.2%-52.8%) in GEP-NEC and 47.6% (10/21, 95% CI: 25.7%-70.2%) in other epNECs.
- Overall median duration of response (mDOR) was 5.6 months (95% CI: 3.0-9.3).
- Among 18 responders with at least 6 months of opportunity for follow-up from initial response, 6 (33.3%) remain in response or had a response lasting 6 months or longer.
- Zoci demonstrated a manageable safety profile: Among all 133 patients in the study, 12.8% (17/133) experienced Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and 29.3% (39/133) experienced Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), with anemia (7/133, 5.3%) and neutropenia (5/133, 3.8%) as the highest Grade ≥3 TEAEs. Grade 2 interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis was reported in 2 patients (1.5%), with no Grade ≥3 ILD events observed. Treatment related discontinuation occurred in 1/133 (0.8%) patients; only one Phase 2 participant experienced a fatal TEAE, determined by the investigator to be unrelated to the study drug.
Efficacy results from this larger dataset are consistent with those previously reported at AACR 2026. Data from patients recently enrolled in Phase 2 is not yet sufficiently mature for analysis, and follow-up is ongoing. Additional data is expected in 2027.
DLL3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Antitumor activity was observed across the spectrum of DLL3 expression levels, including in patients with low or absent DLL3 expression.
“We are increasingly excited about the potential of zoci to provide an important new targeted therapeutic option for patients with multiple cancer types that commonly express DLL3, including epNECs,” said
In August, the
NANETS 2026 zoci presentation details:
Abstract title: Phase 1b/2 Study of Zocilurtatug Pelitecan in Patients with Advanced Extrapulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (epNEC)
Abstract ID: 36547
Presenter:
Date/time:
Session/location: Featured Abstracts 2: Emerging Strategies in High-Grade and Advanced NENs
Notes:
1 Sorbye H, Hjortland GO, Vestermark LW, et al. Characteristics and treatment outcome in a prospective cohort of 639 advanced high-grade digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms (NET G3 and NEC). The NORDIC NEC 2 study.
About Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (zoci, formerly ZL-1310)
Zoci is a novel, potential first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), that targets Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), a validated therapeutic target that is overexpressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), including extrapulmonary NECs, making it a promising target for the treatment of these aggressive, lethal and difficult-to-treat malignancies. The DLL3 antigen is generally associated with poor clinical outcomes.
Zoci remains on track to become Zai Lab’s first global oncology launch. In addition to the Phase 3 combination trial in first-line extensive stage SCLC that
Earlier this year,
About Zai Lab
Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States. We are focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative products that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health.
For additional information about Zai Lab, please visit www.zailaboratory.com or follow us at www.linkedin.com/company/zai-lab or https://x.com/ZaiLab_Global.
Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to our future expectations, plans, and prospects, for Zai Lab, including, without limitation, statements relating to our prospects and plans for developing and commercializing zoci, and the potential treatment of extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (epNECs). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are forward-looking statements, and can be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” and other similar expressions. Such statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees or assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including but not limited to (1) our ability to successfully commercialize and generate revenue from our approved products, (2) our ability to obtain funding for our operations and business initiatives, (3) the results of our clinical and pre-clinical development of our product candidates, (4) the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approvals of our product candidates, (5) risks related to doing business in China, and (6) other factors identified in our most recent annual and quarterly reports and in other reports we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our expectations and assumptions to change, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
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