#China #Shanghai #Atezolizumab #Irpagratinib #Advanced HCC

Abbisko Therapeutics to Present New Findings on Irpagratinib at ESMO GI Congress 2025

Abbisko Therapeutics Co., Ltd. has recently announced that updated results from its phase 2 study involving irpagratinib (ABSK011) in conjunction with atezolizumab will be showcased at the highly anticipated 2025 ESMO GI Congress. This pivotal event is scheduled to occur in Barcelona, Spain, from July 2 to July 5, 2025.

The presentation will detail the promising safety profile and anti-tumor efficacy of the combination treatment in patients suffering from advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), specifically focusing on both treatment-naive cases and those previously treated. The study emphasizes a notable objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) benefits, highlighting the potential of irpagratinib-based combinations as a viable therapeutic option for patients battling HCC.

Event Highlights

During the congress, Abbisko's oral presentation titled "Irpagratinib (ABSK-011) plus Atezolizumab in First-line (1L) and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) Treated Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) with FGF19 Overexpression (+) Updated Results of the Phase 2 ABSK-011-201 Study" will take place in a mini oral session dedicated to innovations in gastrointestinal cancers.

• - Presentation Number: 149MO
• - Date and Time: July 2, 2025, from 17:15 to 17:20 local time
• - Presenter: Qi Cheng

Irpagratinib: A New Hope for HCC Patients

Irpagratinib is a small molecule FGFR4 inhibitor that specifically targets the overexpression of the FGF19 signaling pathway, a condition found in approximately 30% of HCC patients globally. This represents a significant milestone in developing more targeted therapies against FGFR4, offering a novel approach to HCC treatment. Notably, irpagratinib has not yet received regulatory approval worldwide, positioning it to potentially become the first breakthrough treatment specifically for aHCC patients exhibiting FGF19 overexpression, according to insights from Frost & Sullivan.

In addition to its standalone use, Abbisko is exploring irpagratinib's effectiveness when paired with atezolizumab, a key anti-PD-L1 antibody produced by F. Hoffmann-La Roche and Roche (China), in a dedicated Phase II study. At the previous 2024 ESMO GI Congress, compelling clinical data demonstrated that a dosage of 220mg of irpagratinib twice daily, in combination with atezolizumab, resulted in a 50% objective response rate in FGF19+ HCC patients who had previously undergone immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion

The upcoming presentation at the ESMO GI Congress 2025 marks a significant opportunity for Abbisko Therapeutics to share groundbreaking advancements in HCC treatment strategies. The promising preliminary results emphasize the potential impact of irpagratinib-based therapies on patient outcomes and contribute to a growing knowledge base towards innovative therapeutic combinations for advanced liver cancer. As the landscape of HCC treatment evolves, Abbisko continues to position itself at the forefront of oncology research, striving to provide hope for patients battling this challenging disease.