Incyte Gets FDA Approval for Zynyz in New Cancer Indication

Incyte INCY announced that the FDA has approved its new drug, Zynyz (retifanlimab-dlwr), a PD-1 inhibitor, for treating a new cancer indication.The regulatory body has now approved Zynyz in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC).Simultaneously, the FDA also approved Zynyz as a monotherapy for treating locally recurrent or metastatic SCAC in adult patients whose disease progressed on or who are intolerant to platinum-based chemotherapy.Following the latest FDA nod, Zynyz became the first and only first-line treatment to be approved for advanced anal cancer in the United States.Zynyz was approved in the United States for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma in March 2023.Year to date, shares of Incyte have lost 9.1% compared with the industry’s decline of 10.2%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchApproval of New Drugs Diversifies INCY's PortfolioThe latest FDA approval for Zynyz was based on data from two studies.The phase III POD1UM-303/InterAACT2 study evaluated Zynyz in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in adult patients with metastatic SCAC, while the phase II POD1UM-202 study investigated Zynyz as a monotherapy in previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic SCAC.Data from the POD1UM-303/InterAACT2 study showed that treatment with the combo of Zynyz plus chemotherapy led to a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction of 37% in the risk of progression or death.Data from the POD1UM-202 study showed that treatment with Zynyz monotherapy led to an objective response rate (ORR) of 14% and a disease control rate of 49%.INCY has also submitted a Type II variation marketing authorization application for Zynyz to the European Medicines Agency for treating advanced SCAC.Zynyz generated sales worth $3 million in the first quarter of 2025. The approval for SCAC should boost sales of the drug in future quarters.We note that approval of new drugs is likely to reduce Incyte’s heavy dependence on the lead drug Jakafi.Jakafi, a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, is approved for treating polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis and refractory acute graft-versus-host disease. The drug generated sales worth $709.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, up 24% year over year.Jakafi is marketed by Incyte in the United States and by Novartis NVS as Jakavi in ex-U.S. markets. INCY receives royalties from Novartis for the commercialization of Jakavi in ex-U.S. markets.INCY's Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderIncyte currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Halozyme Therapeutics HALO and Intellia Therapeutics NTLA, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.In the past 60 days, estimates for Halozyme’s earnings per share have increased from $5.02 to $5.23 for 2025. During the same time, earnings per share estimates for 2026 have increased from $6.56 to $6.77. Year to date, shares of HALO have risen 2.4%.HALO’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 17.60%.In the past 60 days, estimates for Intellia Therapeutics’ loss per share have narrowed from $4.71 to $4.26 for 2025. During the same time, loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from $4.68 to $4.26. Year to date, shares of NTLA have plunged 30.7%.NTLA’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters while missing the same on the remaining occasion, the average surprise being 3.17%.Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor StockIt's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.See This Stock Now for Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Novartis AG (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report Incyte Corporation (INCY): Free Stock Analysis Report Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO): Free Stock Analysis Report Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NTLA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks