Inhibrx Updates Ozekibart Clinical Data
Inhibrx Biosciences announced updated interim data from its Phase 1/2 study evaluating ozekibart, or INBRX-109, in combination with FOLFIRI in patients with locally advanced or metastatic, unresectable colorectal cancer, or CRC. As of April 10 the cutoff date, the CRC cohort continued to demonstrate a compelling signal of activity in a heavily pretreated patient population. Of the 45 evaluable patients, approximately 70% received ozekibart as a fourth-line therapy, and 80% had previously progressed on irinotecan-based regimens. The following data were observed as of the cutoff date: Efficacy was assessed in 45 evaluable patients, resulting in an ORR of 20% per RECIST v1.1 criteria. Historically, the current standard of care has yielded limited response rates. Nearly half of responses were durable with a duration of response exceeding 6 months. Responses were observed irrespective of RAS/RAF mutation status. The median PFS for the evaluable population was 5.5 months. Notably, 42% of patients remained progression-free at the 6-month landmark, with 9 patients remaining on therapy, suggesting that a significant portion of patients achieve durable disease control that extends well beyond the median PFS. The overall disease control rate remained robust at 87%, further supporting the potential of ozekibart to control tumor growth in a heavily pre-treated population. Safety and tolerability: Ozekibart in combination with FOLFIRI continues to maintain a manageable safety profile. The most common treatment-related adverse events were diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea, which were largely Grade 1 or 2 and consistent with the known side effects of FOLFIRI. Despite the majority of the patients presenting with liver metastases at baseline, no significant liver toxicity was observed. Inhibrx plans to meet with the FDA in the second half of 2026 to discuss plans to initiate a first-line registrational trial in CRC. The Company also plans to discuss with the FDA the potential for accelerated regulatory pathways for ozekibart in fourth-line colorectal cancer and in refractory Ewing sarcoma. Additionally, the Company submitted a Biologics License Application to the FDA for ozekibart in conventional chondrosarcoma in April.
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- Clinical Trial Results: Inhibrx's Phase 1/2 study of Ozekibart (INBRX-109) combined with FOLFIRI shows a 20% objective response rate among 45 evaluable patients, significantly higher than the 1-6% seen with current standard therapies, indicating the drug's potential in late-stage colorectal cancer.
- Disease Control Rate: The overall disease control rate reached 87%, with nearly half of the responses lasting over six months, underscoring Ozekibart's effectiveness in stabilizing tumor growth, particularly in patients with limited treatment options.
- Safety Profile: The safety findings indicate a manageable side effect profile, with common adverse effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea generally mild to moderate, and importantly, no significant liver toxicity was observed despite most patients having liver metastases at baseline.
- Future Plans: Inhibrx plans to meet with the U.S. FDA later this year to discuss advancing Ozekibart into a first-line registrational trial for colorectal cancer, while also exploring accelerated pathways for fourth-line CRC and refractory Ewing sarcoma.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Inhibrx Biosciences reported promising interim data from its Phase 1/2 trial for advanced colorectal cancer, achieving a 20% response rate among 45 patients, significantly higher than the typical 1%-6% seen with standard therapies, indicating strong market competitiveness for the drug.
- Market Valuation Expectations: If clinical trial results confirm the potential of INBRX-106 to enhance treatment response rates, the therapy could be valued at over $8 billion, and if spun off with another experimental cancer drug, the combined entity could exceed $9 billion, highlighting substantial market opportunities.
- Positive Stock Market Reaction: Following reports of potential deal interest, Inhibrx Biosciences' shares surged over 40% on Wednesday to an all-time high, reflecting strong investor confidence and market enthusiasm for its cancer drug pipeline.
- FDA Meeting Plans: Inhibrx plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year to discuss advancing its new therapy into late-stage trials, which will lay the groundwork for future drug development and market introduction.
- Potential Deal Value: Global pharmaceutical companies, including Merck (MRK) and Japan's Ono Pharmaceutical (OPHLF), are negotiating with Inhibrx Biosciences (INBX) for a cancer drug agreement potentially valued at over $8 billion, indicating strong market interest in new therapies.
- Joint Spin-off Plans: Inhibrx is considering a joint spin-off of its antibody therapy INBRX-106 along with a second experimental cancer therapy, with the total transaction value potentially exceeding $9 billion, reflecting the company's confidence in upcoming clinical trial results.
- Clinical Trial Progress: INBRX-106 is currently undergoing studies both as a monotherapy and in combination with Merck's blockbuster Keytruda, with Inhibrx believing that the drug can enhance the efficacy of Keytruda, thereby improving its competitive position in the market.
- Analyst Outlook: Stifel analyst Dara Azar initiated coverage on Inhibrx with a Buy rating and a $150 per share target, suggesting that INBRX-106 could enhance the cure-like efficacy of Keytruda by targeting a narrow responder base, highlighting the investment potential of the drug.

Interest in InhibRx: Merck and other rivals are showing interest in InhibRx, a company involved in experimental cancer drug development.
Key Drug Tied to Trudeau: The experimental cancer drug being discussed is reportedly linked to key figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
- Live Clinical Update: Inhibrx Biosciences will host a live webcast on April 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM PT to provide a clinical update on its Phase 1/2 study evaluating ozekibart (INBRX-109) in combination with FOLFIRI for patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, which is expected to attract investor interest.
- FDA Designation for ozekibart: Ozekibart, a tetravalent death receptor 5 (DR5) agonist antibody, has received Fast Track designation and orphan drug status from the FDA, highlighting its potential in treating metastatic or unresectable conventional chondrosarcoma, marking its significance in oncology.
- Significant Clinical Trial Results: The ChonDRAgon study demonstrated that ozekibart reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 52% (HR 0.479, P<0.0001) compared to placebo, with median progression-free survival increasing from 2.66 months to 5.52 months, making it the first investigational therapy to show significant PFS benefits in this indication.
- Multiple Indication Research: Inhibrx is also conducting Phase 1/2 trials of ozekibart in colorectal cancer and Ewing sarcoma, showcasing its potential across various tumor types and further solidifying the company's strategic position in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Live Clinical Update: Inhibrx will host a live webcast on April 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. PT to provide a clinical update on ozekibart (INBRX-109) in combination with FOLFIRI for patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, aiming to engage investor interest in its research progress.
- FDA Fast Track Designation: Ozekibart received FDA Fast Track designation in January 2021 for treating patients with metastatic or unresectable conventional chondrosarcoma, highlighting its potential in oncology and possibly opening new market opportunities for the company.
- Clinical Trial Success: The ChonDRAgon study demonstrated a 52% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for ozekibart compared to placebo (HR 0.479), with median progression-free survival increasing from 2.66 months to 5.52 months, marking a significant breakthrough in chondrosarcoma treatment.
- Multiple Indications Research: Inhibrx is also investigating ozekibart in Phase 1/2 trials for colorectal cancer and Ewing sarcoma, showcasing the diversity of its product pipeline and future growth potential, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.









