Amgen and AstraZeneca Report Positive Lung Cancer Trial Results

Amgen and AstraZeneca reported positive results from a late-stage clinical trial evaluating a combination lung cancer treatment. This development could bolster the commercial trajectory of Amgen's Imdelltra.

The Phase 3 trial tested the efficacy of combining Amgen’s Imdelltra with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi as a maintenance therapy for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). According to a report from Investing.com, the combination therapy improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rates compared to the use of Imfinzi alone.

Building on Imdelltra’s Market Presence

This trial data arrives as Amgen continues to scale the commercial footprint of Imdelltra. The drug targets specific protein markers in small-cell lung cancer and moved from an accelerated FDA approval in 2024 to full traditional approval in 2025.

For Amgen, the treatment contributes to the top line. In 2025, Imdelltra generated $513 million in sales. The company’s oncology portfolio represents approximately 23% of its total revenue, which highlights the importance of success in late-stage lung cancer trials for the firm's growth strategy.

What Is at Stake in SCLC Treatment

Small-cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of the disease, characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis. The standard of care for extensive-stage patients has historically relied on chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy agents like Imfinzi.

By adding Imdelltra to the maintenance phase, the companies aim to extend the duration of treatment response. For patients and healthcare providers, the ability to demonstrate a statistically significant survival benefit in a maintenance setting is a metric for determining clinical adoption and label expansion for the drugs involved.