# Zai Lab's Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (Zoci, Formerly ZL-1310) Demonstrates High Response Rates, Encouraging Durability and Well-Tolerated Safety Profile in First-Line Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/zai-labs-zocilurtatug-pelitecan-zoci-formerly-zl-1310-demonstrates-high-response-rates-encouraging-durability-and-well-tolerated-safety-profile-in-first-line-extensive-stage-small-cell-lung
- Published: 2026-10-23T19:04:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

–  _At the recommended Phase 3 dose (RP3D) of 1.6 mg/kg, zoci plus atezolizumab 
achieved a confirmed objective response rate of 81.8% (27/33) and an estimated 6-
month progression-free survival rate of 81.9% (n=33) in 1L ES-SCLC _

–  _Among patients with at least six-months follow-up (n=15) treated at 1.6 mg/kg
__zoci plus atezolizumab__, median progression-free survival and median duration
of response were not yet reached after a median follow-up of 10 months _

–  _Zoci plus atezolizumab therapy was well-tolerated; __Grade >3 AEs related to
zoci occurred in 9.1% (3/33) of patients treated at 1.6mg/kg_

–  _Global, randomized Phase 3 study in 1L ES-SCLC expected to initiate by year-
end 2026_

_Investor conference call and webcast to discuss data being presented at ESMO 2026
and zoci clinical trial plans scheduled today, October 23 at 8:00 a.m. ET / 8:00
p.m. HKT_

SHANGHAI and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — [Zai Lab Limited](https://www.zailaboratory.com/)(
NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688), an innovation-driven, global biopharma company, today
shared the first data from a global Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating zocilurtatug
pelitecan (zoci, formerly ZL-1310) in combination with atezolizumab with and without
carboplatin as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (
ES-SCLC). The data will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology(
ESMO) Congress 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

"Despite advances in treatment, extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer remains a
devastating disease, with many patients experiencing disease progression within 
approximately five months of initiating standard first-line treatment," said Rafael
G. Amado, M.D., President, Head of Global Research and Development at Zai Lab. "
The high confirmed response rate, encouraging durability, and well-tolerated safety
profile we are seeing with a standard chemotherapy-free regimen are particularly
compelling. We believe zoci’s combination of efficacy and safety positions it to
become an ADC backbone of choice in small-cell lung cancer, including in combination
with immunotherapies. We are preparing to initiate a global Phase 3 trial of zoci
and an Immuno-Oncology (IO) regimen and continue to evaluate the potential of combinations
with T-cell engagers and IO."

**Zoci 1.6 mg/kg plus atezolizumab (n=33)**

Results, as of the September 2026 data cut-off to be shared at ESMO show that among
patients who received the zoci 1.6 mg/kg and atezolizumab doublet every three weeks(
n=33):

 ◦ Patients achieved a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 81.8% (95% CI:
   64.5–93.0) by investigator assessment.
 ◦ The six-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 81.9%.
 ◦ Among patients with at least six-months follow-up (n=15) treated at 1.6 mg/kg
   zoci plus atezolizumab:  
    ◦ Responses were highly durable, with median progression-free survival (mPFS)
      not yet reached after a median follow-up of 10 months, indicating the majority
      of patients continue to benefit from treatment.  
    ◦ Ten of these 15 patients (66.7%) remained free from disease progression or
      death at data cut-off, with median duration of response (mDOR) for these 15
      patients also not yet reached.
 ◦ Zoci plus atezolizumab demonstrated a favorable safety profile over a chemo plus
   IO regimen by indirect comparison. The doublet did not have dose-limiting toxicities
   observed during dose escalation. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events(
   TEAEs) related to zoci at 1.6 mg/kg and of all grades (≥20%) were anemia (48.5%),
   nausea (36.4%), leukopenia (30.3%), decreased appetite, ALT increase, neutropenia(
   27.3% each), and lymphopenia (21.2%). The majority of AEs were Grade 1 or 2 and
   non-serious. At the 1.6 mg/kg dose, Grade ≥3 AEs related to zoci occurred in 
   3/33 (9.1%) patients, there were no treatment-related discontinuations and only
   one Grade 1 interstitial lung disease (ILD) / pneumonitis.  

**Zoci plus atezolizumab and carboplatin (n=13; three dose levels)**

 ◦ Patients in the trial who received the triplet regimen of zoci in combination
   with atezolizumab and carboplatin as first-line therapy (n=13) also demonstrated
   a high ORR (92.3%), with an mPFS of 8.4 months (95% CI: 3.7-NA) and mDOR of 7.7
   months (2.6, NA) across all dose levels, which included two dose levels of zoci
   and two dose levels of carboplatin.
 ◦ Compared with the doublet regimen, the triplet therapy was associated with more
   frequent Grade ≥3 TEAEs, including study-drug related hematological AEs, and 
   a higher rate of dose interruptions. Grade ≥3 TEAEs for the doublet 1.6 mg/kg
   dose was 21.2%; Grade ≥3 TEAEs for the triplet across all doses was 76.9%.

Today’s standard of care for first-line SCLC is a checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy,
which delivers a 60-70% response rate, an mPFS of about 5 months, and is associated
with Grade >3 treatment-related AEs around 60%. A regimen such as zoci, combined
with an IO or other novel agents that are free of platinum chemotherapy, could offer
better tolerability, allow longer treatment duration compared to the typical four
to six cycles of platinum-based induction chemotherapy, and improve control of brain
metastases. 

"The zoci and atezolizumab doublet demonstrated substantial early antitumor activity
with high, durable responses and a favorable safety profile, which are very encouraging
results for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer," said Pedro Rocha,
M.D., Ph.D., study investigator and medical oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University
Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. "Importantly, this platinum-free regimen may allow
patients to stay on treatment longer with potentially fewer side effects. These 
results support further exploration of zoci in combination regimens. I look forward
to seeing how this profile evolves as the clinical program advances."

Based on the data from this trial, Zai Lab is preparing to initiate a global [Phase 3 randomized study](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07796100)
evaluating a zoci and IO regimen in first-line treatment of ES-SCLC.

**ESMO 2026 zoci poster details:**

**Title: **ZL 1310 (DLL3 ADC) plus Atezolizumab ± Carboplatin in extensive-stage
small cell lung cancer: Part 1b/1c results from Study ZL 1310-001
**Session Title:**
SCLC**Date/Time: **October 26, 2026; 12:00-12:45 CEST**Location: **Poster Area –
Hall 5**Poster Board Number: **3817P**Abstract Number: **1569

**Details regarding the webcast and conference call are as follows:**

**Date/Time:** Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. PT / 8:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 p.
m. HKT

**Presenters:** Rafael G. Amado, M.D., President, Head of Global Research and Development,
Zai Lab; Pedro Rocha, M.D., Ph.D., MSc, Medical Oncology Department, Vall d’Hebron
University Hospital

**Registration available at:**
**Webcast presentation (preferred): **[https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/isgbbewu](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedge.media-server.com%2Fmmc%2Fp%2Fisgbbewu&esheet=54612523&newsitemid=20260929210432&lan=en-US&anchor=https%3A%2F%2Fedge.media-server.com%2Fmmc%2Fp%2Fisgbbewu&index=1&md5=68ba4dc2dee09f7a4bef455964b2e60f)**
Dial-in: **[https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI6b181d421fba49dc9171528aeda3974e](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fregister-conf.media-server.com%2Fregister%2FBI6b181d421fba49dc9171528aeda3974e&esheet=54612523&newsitemid=20260929210432&lan=en-US&anchor=https%3A%2F%2Fregister-conf.media-server.com%2Fregister%2FBI6b181d421fba49dc9171528aeda3974e&index=2&md5=5988a96ce225f3fc221331a09b033462)

A replay will be available shortly after the call on the Company’s website at [http://ir.zailaboratory.com](http://ir.zailaboratory.com).

**About Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (zoci, formerly ZL-1310)**

Zoci is a novel, potential first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), that targets
Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), a validated therapeutic target that is overexpressed
in SCLC, making it a promising target for the treatment of these aggressive, lethal
and difficult-to-treat malignancies. The DLL3 antigen is generally associated with
poor clinical outcomes.

Zoci remains on track to become Zai Lab’s first global oncology launch. In addition
to the Phase 3 combination trial in first-line extensive stage SCLC that Zai Lab
is advancing toward initiation, the Company is also conducting the Phase 3 [DLLEVATE study](https://dllevate.com/)
evaluating zoci in previously treated ES-SCLC vs. physician’s choice of chemotherapy,
and a Phase 1/2 trial in neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and other DLL3-positive
solid tumors. [Data presented at AACR 2026](https://ir.zailaboratory.com/news-releases/news-release-details/zai-lab-presents-new-data-demonstrating-zocilurtatug-pelitecan)
from an ongoing Zai Lab Phase 1 trial of adults with previously-treated ES-SCLC 
demonstrate that zoci achieved meaningful intracranial efficacy, including in patients
who have not received radiotherapy to the brain.

Earlier this year, Zai Lab entered into a global clinical trial collaboration with
Amgen to evaluate zoci in combination with Amgen’s IMDELLTRA® (tarlatamab-dlle),
a DLL3/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE), for ES-SCLC, and a clinical collaboration
with Boehringer Ingelheim to evaluate zoci in combination with obrixtamig, a DLL3/
CD3 bispecific TCE, for SCLC and other NECs.

**About Zai Lab**

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-
stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States. We are focused
on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative products that address
medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology,
neuroscience, and infectious disease. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and
resources to positively impact human health.

For additional information about Zai Lab, please visit [www.zailaboratory.com](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zailaboratory.com&esheet=54621317&newsitemid=20261014931547&lan=en-US&anchor=www.zailaboratory.com&index=5&md5=be2282f7e378f29a02bc419ab0faa1a5)
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or [https://x.com/ZaiLab_Global](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FZaiLab_Global&esheet=54621317&newsitemid=20261014931547&lan=en-US&anchor=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FZaiLab_Global&index=7&md5=d7ce56fee13083253dab75636e26db11).

**Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements**

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to our future expectations,
plans, and prospects, for Zai Lab, including, without limitation, statements relating
to our prospects and plans for developing and commercializing zoci, and the potential
treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). All statements, other
than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are forward-looking
statements, and can be identified by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe,""
could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "possible,""
potential," "will," "would," and other similar expressions. Such statements constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees or assurances 
of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations 
and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to inherent
uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from
those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve
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in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated
by forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including
but not limited to (1) our ability to successfully commercialize and generate revenue
from our approved products, (2) our ability to obtain funding for our operations
and business initiatives, (3) the results of our clinical and pre-clinical development
of our product candidates, (4) the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant
regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approvals of our product candidates,(
5) risks related to doing business in China, and (6) other factors identified in
our most recent annual and quarterly reports and in other reports we have filed 
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We anticipate that subsequent
events and developments will cause our expectations and assumptions to change, and
we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required
by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing
our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Our SEC filings can be found on our website at [www.zailaboratory.com](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zailaboratory.com&esheet=54621317&newsitemid=20261014931547&lan=en-US&anchor=www.zailaboratory.com&index=8&md5=df0ee92b61f4c35586d9ebfade40731b)
and on the SEC’s website at [www.SEC.gov](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SEC.gov&esheet=54621317&newsitemid=20261014931547&lan=en-US&anchor=www.SEC.gov&index=9&md5=1f400dcc65bde6430626ff1a767a596f).

**For more information, please contact:**

**Investor Relations:**
Christine Chiou / Cyan Liu+1 (917) 886-6929 / +86 195 3130
8895[christine.chiou1@zailaboratory.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/christine.chiou1@zailaboratory.com)/
[cyan.liu@zailaboratory.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/cyan.liu@zailaboratory.com)**
Media:**Shaun Maccoun / Xiaoyu Chen+1 (857) 270-8854 / +86 185 0015 5011[shaun.maccoun@zailaboratory.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/shaun.maccoun@zailaboratory.com)/
[xiaoyu.chen@zailaboratory.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/xiaoyu.chen@zailaboratory.com)

 

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**Read the original article :** [Zai Lab's Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (Zoci, Formerly ZL-1310) Demonstrates High Response Rates, Encouraging Durability and Well-Tolerated Safety Profile in First-Line Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer ](http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/5079732_AE79732_0?rand=184833)
