Hong Kong, April 20, 2026

In a significant breakthrough in oncology immunotherapy, Akeso, Inc. has announced promising Phase II clinical results from its COMPASSION-26 study, demonstrating that cadonilimab, a first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, in combination with chemotherapy, delivers robust survival benefits in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The data, presented at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, highlight a major step forward in addressing one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers, where survival outcomes have historically remained poor despite advances in therapy.

Strong Survival Outcomes in Locally Advanced PDAC

The COMPASSION-26 study revealed remarkable survival improvements, particularly among patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, a subgroup with significant unmet medical needs. With a median follow-up exceeding two years, the combination of cadonilimab and chemotherapy achieved a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 months and a median overall survival (OS) exceeding 23 months.

These outcomes represent a substantial improvement compared to historical benchmarks in PDAC treatment. Additionally, landmark survival rates were highly encouraging, with 91.7% of patients alive at 12 months and 44.1% at 24 months, underscoring the durability and long-term benefit of the therapy. These results position cadonilimab as a potential game-changing treatment option in a cancer type where survival gains have been limited.

High Response Rates and Broad Clinical Benefit

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Beyond survival outcomes, the cadonilimab combination demonstrated strong tumor response and disease control across the overall study population. Among evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) reached 33.9%, while the disease control rate (DCR) was an impressive 96.4%, indicating that the majority of patients experienced tumor stabilization or reduction.

Notably, response rates were consistent across both locally advanced and metastatic disease groups, suggesting that the therapy provides broad clinical benefit regardless of disease stage. Importantly, the treatment exhibited a favorable and manageable safety profile, with no new safety signals identified, reinforcing its potential suitability for first-line therapy in PDAC.

Advancing Bispecific Immunotherapy in Oncology

Cadonilimab represents a new generation of bispecific antibody therapies, simultaneously targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoints to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. As the world’s first approved bispecific antibody for cancer immunotherapy, cadonilimab has already demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits across multiple tumor types, including those that are traditionally resistant to immunotherapy.

Its ability to deliver efficacy independent of PD-L1 expression and in immunologically “cold” tumors positions it as a cornerstone therapy in the emerging era of immunotherapy 2.0. Akeso continues to leverage its advanced antibody engineering platforms, including its proprietary Tetrabody technology, to expand its pipeline of innovative therapies targeting cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other major conditions.

Overall, the Phase II COMPASSION-26 results mark a pivotal milestone for Akeso, reinforcing the potential of cadonilimab-based combination therapies to transform the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer. With strong survival data, high response rates, and a manageable safety profile, cadonilimab could play a critical role in improving outcomes for patients facing one of the most challenging malignancies in oncology.

Source: Akeso press release