Antengene Unveils Promising Clinical Insights for ATG-022 and ATG-037 at ESMO 2026

On October 25, 2026, Antengene Corporation Limited, a leading global biotech firm based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, presented notable findings at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2026. This event showcased the latest clinical updates for both their Claudin 18.2 antibody-drug conjugate ATG-022 and their oral CD73 small-molecule inhibitor ATG-037. These two therapies are being evaluated for their efficacy and safety in treating advanced stages of certain types of cancer.

Clinical Findings from ATG-022

Study Overview

ATG-022, an innovative antibody-drug conjugate specifically targeting Claudin 18.2, has shown promise in the treatment of advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The CLINCH study, which is in its Phase II stage, assessed the safety and preliminary efficacy of ATG-022 in chemotherapy-naïve patients. The trial included a dose escalation phase that focused on evaluating dose safety in patients with various expressions of CLDN18.2.

Recent results were quite encouraging. As of mid-October 2026, a total of 82 participants from Australia and China contributed to the Phase II dose expansion. Among the subgroup receiving the 1.8 mg/kg dosage, 30 patients were evaluated, revealing an objective response rate (ORR) of 46.7% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 86.7%. Notably, among these patients, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was recorded at 5.6 months, while the median overall survival (mOS) has yet to be reached following a median follow-up period exceeding 17 months.

Safety assessments indicated that 25.8% of the patients experienced serious treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), yet no single adverse event manifested in over 10% of the cohort. These findings affirm ATG-022’s potential as a viable monotherapy for patients suffering from this challenging cancer type and pave the way for further advancements to be made in the pivotal CLINCH-3 Phase III study.

Insights from ATG-037

Study Overview

The ATG-037 oral CD73 inhibitor focuses on modulating the immune system's response, particularly in patients with melanoma who have shown resistance to existing checkpoint inhibitors. The poster presentation at the congress featured an analysis from the ongoing STAMINA-01 trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of ATG-037 in combination with pembrolizumab, representing a significant advancement in combating treatment-resistant melanoma.

Initial findings indicated that among 23 evaluable patients, the combination therapy resulted in an ORR of 21.7%, with durable outcomes in individuals exhibiting high CD73 expression levels. The median progression-free survival was established at 4.4 months, further emphasizing the potential effectiveness of the treatment in a population that has limited options due to prior therapies.

Safety profiles for ATG-037 were consistently favorable, with severe TRAEs occurring in just 4% of participants. This finding is significant as it suggests the treatment regimen could enable a better quality of life for patients undergoing therapy, which is often a crucial consideration in late-stage treatment scenarios.

Conclusion

The findings presented by Antengene at ESMO 2026 showcase groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment via ATG-022 and ATG-037. The ability of these therapies to yield favorable efficacy and manageable safety profiles establishes them as hopeful candidates for future cancer treatments in various resistant forms. Antengene’s continued commitment to innovation in biopharmaceutical development not only strives to address unmet medical needs but also aims to improve survival outcomes for patients battling aggressive malignancies.

As Antengene continues its research and trials, the potential impacts of ATG-022 and ATG-037 could very well mark a turning tide in the fight against cancer. Further details and ongoing results will be shared as the trials progress towards broader applications in clinical settings.