Adlai Nortye Secures Drug Supply for Cancer Trial
The company partners with two pharmaceutical firms to study a new combination therapy for cancer patients.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Cancer
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Adlai Nortye has entered a clinical trial supply agreement with Eli Lilly and Merck KGaA to support the development of its cancer drug candidate, AN4035. Under the terms of this collaboration, the partners will provide the drug cetuximab at no cost to assist in a Phase I study evaluating AN4035 as both a monotherapy and a combination treatment.
Why it matters
This collaboration allows researchers to study whether pairing the investigational antibody-drug conjugate AN4035 with cetuximab can more effectively attack tumor biology. By securing this drug supply, Adlai Nortye can advance its clinical trial program without incurring additional purchase costs or milestone payments.
The study is a Phase I clinical trial assessing the investigational pan-RAS(ON) inhibitor-based antibody-drug conjugate AN4035. Outcomes for this specific drug combination are currently under investigation and have not yet been established.
The players
Adlai Nortye
A biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for oncology, including the investigational candidate AN4035.
Eli Lilly
A pharmaceutical company that develops treatments for cancer and other conditions and will supply cetuximab to United States trial sites.
Merck KGaA
A science and technology firm known for its oncology portfolio that will supply cetuximab to clinical sites in Australia and China.
The details
AN4035 is designed as an antibody-drug conjugate that targets the CEACAM5 antigen to inhibit pan-RAS(ON) activity within cancer cells. By combining this investigational agent with cetuximab, which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor, researchers aim to address tumor progression from two distinct biological angles. The current supply agreement provides these components for the Phase I trial, though the trial remains independently sponsored by Adlai Nortye.
Timeline
15 October 2026: Clinical supply agreement is officially announced.
First half of 2027: Initial Phase Ia data for AN9025 is expected.
Health Landscape
The development of antibody-drug conjugates represents a highly active field of oncology research aimed at delivering targeted payloads directly to tumor cells. This trial follows the broader industry trend of investigating these agents as both monotherapies and in combination with existing cancer standards of care.
This agreement supports the progress of early-stage cancer clinical trials but does not represent a currently available medical treatment. Patients interested in how new oncology developments might affect their care decisions should discuss trial enrollment options with their oncology care team.
The takeaway
The supply agreement facilitates the continued investigation of combination therapies for tumor management. As these trials progress, follow clinical trial results to monitor potential changes in the standard of care for relevant oncological conditions.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and ongoing developments in Cancer.
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