Boehringer Ingelheim and Zai Lab Partner on DLL3-Targeting Combination Study in Lung and Neuroendocrine Cancers
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Boehringer Ingelheim and Zai Lab have announced a clinical collaboration to evaluate a dual DLL3-targeting treatment approach. The partnership will focus on a Phase Ib/II study assessing the safety, tolerability and early clinical activity of combining two investigational therapies.
The study will evaluate obrixtamig, a DLL3/CD3 T-cell engager developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, together with zocilurtatug pelitecan (zoci), a DLL3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) from Zai Lab. The trial will include patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), where treatment options remain limited.
The approach combines immune system activation with targeted delivery of a cytotoxic agent. The T-cell engager is designed to direct immune cells to attack DLL3-expressing tumour cells, while the ADC delivers a cancer-killing payload directly to these cells.
Obrixtamig is currently being studied in multiple global trials. In an earlier Phase I study in first-line ES-SCLC, in combination with chemotherapy and atezolizumab, it showed early signs of clinical activity along with a manageable safety profile. The therapy is advancing into a global Phase III trial and has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission for neuroendocrine carcinomas.
Zocilurtatug pelitecan has shown encouraging and durable responses in a global Phase I study in previously treated ES-SCLC, including in patients with brain metastases. The treatment demonstrated a favourable safety profile and has progressed to a global Phase III registrational study. It has also received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA for small cell lung cancer.
Under the agreement, Zai Lab will supply its ADC for the study, while Boehringer Ingelheim will lead and manage clinical operations. Both companies will retain rights to their respective therapies.
Source: globenewswire.com
