AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot believes Summit Therapeutics’ lead drug, ivonescimab, could play a significant role in developing next-generation cancer treatment combinations. In an exclusive interview with CNBC, Soriot described the potential of combination therapies as a possible turning point in the future of cancer care. His comments follow AstraZeneca’s announcement of a $2 billion equity investment and clinical collaboration with Summit Therapeutics to evaluate new cancer drug combinations. The partnership aims to explore how ivonescimab could work alongside AstraZeneca’s existing oncology treatments to improve outcomes for patients.
Ivonescimab Targets Two Cancer Pathways
Ivonescimab is a bispecific antibody designed to target two biological pathways involved in cancer progression: programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). PD-1 acts as a checkpoint that can limit immune cell activity, allowing cancer cells to evade the body’s immune response. Meanwhile, VEGF helps tumours develop new blood vessels that supply the nutrients and oxygen needed for growth. By targeting both pathways simultaneously, ivonescimab aims to strengthen the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells while also disrupting the blood supply that supports tumour growth. Soriot views this dual-targeting approach as a potential advance beyond the first generation of PD-1 inhibitors, including Merck’s Keytruda, which has become a leading immunotherapy for several cancers. Ivonescimab has attracted international attention following head-to-head clinical trials reporting better outcomes than Keytruda in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, its broader clinical potential will depend on further evidence from ongoing and future studies.
AstraZeneca Explores Combination Therapies with Antibody-Drug Conjugates
A key objective of the AstraZeneca–Summit collaboration is to investigate combinations of ivonescimab with AstraZeneca’s portfolio of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs deliver cancer-killing agents directly to targeted cells, while immunotherapies help the body’s immune system recognise and attack tumours. Combining these approaches could potentially improve treatment responses in selected tumour types. Soriot said ivonescimab is particularly promising because it could help address cancers that may respond better to combinations with ADCs than to existing first-generation PD-1 agents. The collaboration will therefore assess whether combining these therapies can expand treatment options and address unmet medical needs across different cancer types.
$2 Billion Investment Gives AstraZeneca a Stake in Summit
AstraZeneca’s $2 billion investment represents an approximately 12% stake in Summit Therapeutics. The transaction is structured as an equity investment and clinical collaboration rather than an outright acquisition or a conventional licensing agreement. Consequently, Summit retains its commercial rights to ivonescimab. The arrangement allows AstraZeneca to collaborate on evaluating potential treatment combinations while Summit continues to develop its lead drug. The deal also highlights the pharmaceutical industry’s growing interest in bispecific antibodies, which can engage two biological targets through a single molecule. Ivonescimab’s development has intensified interest in this approach and encouraged investment in similar drug candidates.
AstraZeneca Opens $1 Billion Research and Development Facility
Soriot discussed the collaboration with CNBC from AstraZeneca’s new research and development facility in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company announced the opening of the 570,000-square-foot facility, representing an investment of more than $1 billion. The centre will support research into next-generation treatments across several therapeutic areas, including obesity, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and rare diseases. AstraZeneca expects the research programme to generate new medicines that will support the company’s growth beyond 2030. The facility will also integrate advanced technologies to accelerate drug discovery and development.
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Drug Discovery
The new research centre will use robotics, continuous automation and agentic artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline laboratory operations and improve the drug development process. According to Soriot, approximately 20% of the facility’s investment is allocated to robotics and AI. These technologies are intended to help scientists identify promising drug candidates faster, simplify laboratory workflows and accelerate preclinical research. Soriot highlighted the potential benefits of these investments, including faster and more cost-effective research and development, alongside the delivery of better treatments to patients. By integrating AI-driven discovery with automated laboratory processes, AstraZeneca aims to improve research productivity and accelerate the development of new medicines.
AstraZeneca Strengthens Its Focus on Oncology Innovation
AstraZeneca’s collaboration with Summit Therapeutics and its investment in advanced research infrastructure reflect the company’s broader strategy to accelerate pharmaceutical innovation. While ivonescimab could offer new opportunities for combination cancer therapies, further clinical evaluation will be essential to establish its safety, effectiveness and role across different tumour types. At the same time, AstraZeneca’s investment in AI-enabled research and automation aims to strengthen its drug discovery capabilities and address unmet medical needs. As reported by cnbc.com, together, these initiatives underscore the pharmaceutical industry’s growing focus on targeted therapies, combination treatments and technology-driven research.
