Lancet Publication Confirms Hutchmed's Targeted Therapy Boosts Lung Cancer Survival
Hong Kong, Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
Data published in The Lancet confirms Hutchmed’s combination therapy nearly doubles progression-free survival time for advanced lung cancer patients compared to chemotherapy, addressing a critical treatment gap.
Validating the Mechanism of Action
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, HUTCHMED (Nasdaq: HCM) formally announced the publication of these pivotal results in The Lancet, marking a significant milestone for the company’s oncology pipeline [1]. The SACHI trial is notable as the first randomized Phase III study to confirm the efficacy of MET inhibition specifically for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have acquired MET amplification following progression on prior EGFR-TKI treatment [1]. This publication serves as a peer-reviewed validation of the trial’s primary endpoint, which was initially met in an interim analysis in January 2025 [1].
Regulatory Landscape and Strategic Implications
Professor Shun Lu, Chief of the Shanghai Lung Cancer Center and co-leading Principal Investigator, emphasized that these findings offer compelling evidence that addressing MET amplification—a critical resistance mechanism—can transform outcomes for this challenging patient demographic [1]. The combination of savolitinib (marketed as ORPATHYS®) and osimertinib (TAGRISSO®) has already navigated the regulatory pathway in China, receiving approval in June 2025 [1]. This domestic success provides a commercial foundation as the company looks toward broader markets.