Zenocutuzumab Treatment Beyond Progression Demonstrates Continued Benefit in Patients with NRG1+ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Results from the eNRGy Trial

LEXINGTON, Mass., Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Partner Therapeutics, Inc. (PTx) announced findings from a post hoc analysis of the eNRGy trial (NCT02912949) evaluating treatment beyond progression with zenocutuzumab in patients with advanced neuregulin 1 fusion-positive (NRG1+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results were presented at the 2026 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer (TTLC) meeting. NRG1+ NSCLC is associated with low response rates and poor outcomes with non-targeted therapies, underscoring the need for effective targeted treatment options such as zenocutuzumab and potential use beyond progression.

“Patients with advanced NRG1 fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer often have limited treatment options after progression,” said Dr. Misako Nagasaka, MD, PhD of the University of California Irvine and senior author. “In this analysis, continued zenocutuzumab treatment beyond RECIST progression provided meaningful, sometimes long-lasting, clinical benefit while maintaining a favorable tolerability profile.”

The analysis included 27 patients with NRG1+ NSCLC who received at least three doses of zenocutuzumab after radiographic progression. Oligoprogression occurred in 81% of patients, while 19% experienced diffuse progression. Median total zenocutuzumab exposure increased to nearly 10 months, compared with approximately 7 months before progression. Eight patients continued treatment for more than six months beyond progression, including one patient remaining on zenocutuzumab for more than 23 months after progression, with treatment still ongoing as of December 2025. Another patient remained on zenocutuzumab for nearly four years in total. Additionally, 22% of patients were able to continue zenocutuzumab following local management of progressing lesions including radiotherapy, gamma knife surgery, and surgical resection. Treatment was generally well tolerated, and no patients discontinued therapy due to adverse events.

“These data underscore the potential heterogeneity of disease at progression and provide evidence that continued use of a targeted therapy, like zenocutuzumab, may offer meaningful clinical benefit without introducing new safety concerns,” said Pritesh J. Gandhi, Chief Development Officer at Partner Therapeutics. “We continue to work with physicians to generate more information on the use of zenocutuzumab beyond progression.”

In December 2024, zenocutuzumab-zbco (BIZENGRI^®) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration accelerated approval for the treatment of adults with advanced unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma harboring a neuregulin 1 (NRG1) gene fusion with disease progression on or after prior systemic therapy. The indications were approved under accelerated approval based on ORR and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). NRG1 gene fusions and other gene fusions are best detected using the combination of tissue-based DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing.

For more information on the eNRGy trial and zenocutuzumab-zbco, please visit www.partnertx.com.

About NRG1 Gene Fusions

NRG1 fusions are unique cancer drivers that create oncogenic chimeric ligands rather than the more widely described chimeric receptors (NTRK, RET, ROS1, ALK, and FGFR fusions). The chimeric ligands bind to HER3, triggering HER2/HER3 heterodimerization and activate downstream signaling pathways that cause cancer cells to grow and proliferate. Zenocutuzumab-zbco is a bispecific antibody that blocks HER2/HER3 dimerization and NRG1 fusion interactions with HER3, resulting in the suppression of these pathways. Comprehensive molecular testing, notably the combination of tissue-based DNA and RNA next generation sequencing, is essential to identify rare and actionable gene fusions like NRG1.

About BIZENGRI (zenocutuzumab-zbco)

INDICATIONS

BIZENGRI is indicated for the treatment of adults with advanced unresectable or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring a neuregulin 1 (NRG1) gene fusion with disease progression on or after prior systemic therapy.

BIZENGRI is indicated for the treatment of adults with advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma harboring a neuregulin 1 (NRG1) gene fusion with disease progression on or after prior systemic therapy.

These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

Important Safety Information

BOXED WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Exposure to BIZENGRI during pregnancy can cause embryo-fetal harm. Advise patients of this risk and the need for effective contraception.

WARNINGS AND PRECUATIONS

Infusion-Related Reactions/Hypersensitivity/Anaphylactic Reactions

BIZENGRI can cause serious and life-threatening infusion-related reactions (IRRs), hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. Signs and symptoms of IRR may include chills, nausea, fever, and cough.

In the eNRGy study, 13% of patients experienced IRRs, all were Grade 1 or 2; 91% occurred during the first infusion.

Administer BIZENGRI in a setting with emergency resuscitation equipment and staff who are trained to monitor for IRRs and to administer emergency medications. Monitor patients closely for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions during infusion and for at least 1 hour following completion of first BIZENGRI infusion and as clinically indicated. Interrupt BIZENGRI infusion in patients with ≤ Grade 3 IRRs and administer symptomatic treatment as needed. Resume infusion at a reduced rate after resolution of symptoms. Immediately stop the infusion and permanently discontinue BIZENGRI for Grade 4 or life-threatening IRR or hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis reactions.

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis

BIZENGRI can cause serious and life-threatening interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis.

In the eNRGy study, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2 (1.1%) patients treated with BIZENGRI. Grade 2 ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 2) resulting in permanent discontinuation of BIZENGRI occurred in 1 (0.6%) patient. Monitor for new or worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever). Immediately withhold BIZENGRI in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and administer corticosteroids as clinically indicated.

Permanently discontinue BIZENGRI if ILD/pneumonitis ≥ Grade 2 is confirmed.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction

BIZENGRI can cause left ventricular dysfunction.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease has been observed with anti-HER2 therapies, including BIZENGRI. Treatment with BIZENGRI has not been studied in patients with a history of clinically significant cardiac disease or LVEF less than 50% prior to initiation of treatment.

In the eNRGy study, Grade 2 LVEF decrease (40%-50%; 10 – 19% drop from baseline) occurred in 2% of evaluable patients. Cardiac failure without LVEF decrease occurred in 1.7% of patients, including 1 (0.6%) fatal event.

Before initiating BIZENGRI, evaluate LVEF and monitor at regular intervals during treatment as clinically indicated. For LVEF of less than 45% or less than 50% with absolute decrease from baseline of 10% or greater which is confirmed, or in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), permanently discontinue BIZENGRI.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action, BIZENGRI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. No animal reproduction studies were conducted with BIZENGRI. In post marketing reports, use of a HER2-directed antibody during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios manifesting as fatal pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death. In animal models, studies have demonstrated that inhibition of HER2 and/or HER3 results in impaired embryo-fetal development, including effects on cardiac, vascular and neuronal development, and embryolethality. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of BIZENGRI. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BIZENGRI and for 2 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS 

NRG1 Gene Fusion Positive Unresectable or Metastatic NSCLC

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of patients with NRG1 gene fusion positive NSCLC who received BIZENGRI. Serious adverse reactions in ≥ 2% of patients included pneumonia (n=4) dyspnea and fatigue (n=2 each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3 (3%) patients and included respiratory failure (n=2), and cardiac failure (n=1). Permanent discontinuation of BIZENGRI due to an adverse reaction occurred in 3% of patients. Adverse reactions resulting in permanent discontinuation of BIZENGRI included dyspnea, pneumonitis and sepsis (n=1 each).

In patients with NRG1 gene fusion positive NSCLC who received BIZENGRI, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were decreased hemoglobin (35%), increased alanine aminotransferase (30%), decreased magnesium (28%), increased alkaline phosphatase (27), decreased phosphate (26%), diarrhea (25%), musculoskeletal pain (23%), increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (23%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (22%), and decreased potassium (21%).

NRG1 Gene Fusion Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 23% of patients with NRG1 gene fusion positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received BIZENGRI.

There were 2 fatal adverse reactions, one due to COVID-19 and one due to respiratory failure.

In patients with NRG1 gene fusion positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received BIZENGRI the most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were increased alanine aminotransferase (51%), diarrhea (36%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (31%), increased bilirubin (31%), decreased phosphate (31%), increased alkaline phosphatase (28%), decreased sodium (28%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), decreased albumin (26%), decreased potassium (26%), decreased platelets (26%), decreased magnesium (24%), increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (23%), decreased hemoglobin (23%), vomiting (23%), nausea (23%), decreased leukocytes (21%), and fatigue (21%).

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning

About Partner Therapeutics

Partner Therapeutics, Inc. (PTx), an integrated biotechnology company, focuses on development and commercialization of therapeutics to improve health outcomes in cancer and serious diseases, as well as global health security threats. The company believes in delivering products and supporting medical teams with the purpose of achieving superior outcomes for patients and their families. PTx’s portfolio includes zenocutuzumab-zbco (BIZENGRI^®) and sargramostim (EU: IMREPLYS^®; US: LEUKINE^®; and with Nobelpharma Co. Ltd for JAPAN: SARGMALIN^®). Visit www.partnertx.com.

References:
1. Arter ZL, Schram AM, Rha SY, et al. Continued treatment beyond progression with zenocutuzumab, a HER2/HER3 bispecific antibody, in patients with NRG1+ NSCLC: Analysis from the ongoing phase 2 eNRGy trial [abstract]. J Thorac Oncol. 2026. Poster presentation at International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Targeted Therapies of Lung Cancer Meeting; Huntington Beach, CA; February 20, 2026.

2. Drilon A, Duruisseaux M, Han JY, et al. Clinicopathologic features and response to therapy of NRG1 fusion–driven lung cancers: The eNRGy1 global multicenter registry. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(25):2791-2802. doi:10.1200/JCO.20.03307

3. BIZENGRI (zenocutuzumab-zbco) injection [package insert]. Available at: https://www.bizengrihcp.com/pi 

4. Schram AM, Goto K, Kim DW, et al. Efficacy of zenocutuzumab in NRG1 fusion–positive cancer. N Engl J Med. 2025;392:566-76. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2405008

BIZENGRI^® is a registered trademark owned by Merus B.V. Under an agreement with Merus, PTx has exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize zenocutuzumab-zbco for the treatment of NRG1+ cancer in the U.S. and provide the product on a named-patient basis for this use outside of the U.S. pending future regulatory developments.

PARTNER THERAPEUTICS^®, IMREPLYS^®, and LEUKINE^® are registered trademarks owned by Partner Therapeutics, Inc. ©2026 Partner Therapeutics, All rights reserved.

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