HUTCHMED Highlights Publication of Phase III SACHI Results in The Lancet
Rhea-AI Summary
HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM) highlighted that results from the randomized Phase III SACHI trial were published in The Lancet on Jan 14, 2026, confirming efficacy of MET inhibition in advanced EGFR‑mutant NSCLC with acquired MET amplification after progression on prior EGFR‑TKI therapy.
The trial evaluated the oral combination of savolitinib (ORPATHYS) plus osimertinib (TAGRISSO). Based on interim SACHI data, the savolitinib+osimertinib combination received regulatory approval in China in June 2025. The program is jointly developed by AstraZeneca and HUTCHMED.
Positive
- First randomized Phase III confirming MET inhibition efficacy in this setting
- SACHI results published in The Lancet, a high‑impact journal
- Savolitinib + osimertinib received China approval (June 2025)
- All‑oral combination offers a convenient, well‑tolerated regimen for patients
Negative
- Regulatory approval cited is limited to China (June 2025)
- China approval was granted based on interim SACHI data
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, HCM gained 2.34%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
HCM gained 0.13% while peers were mixed: one notable gainer (SUPN +0.74%) and several decliners (e.g., KNSA -7.1%), pointing to a stock-specific reaction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06 | Phase III results | Positive | +2.8% | Phase III sovleplenib in wAIHA met primary endpoint with durable response. |
| Jan 04 | Trial initiation | Positive | -2.0% | Initiated Phase III stage of surufatinib combination trial in pancreatic cancer. |
| Dec 30 | NDA acceptance | Positive | -1.5% | China NMPA accepted savolitinib NDA with priority review for MET‑amplified gastric cancer. |
| Dec 29 | NDA acceptance | Positive | -2.7% | Fanregratinib NDA for FGFR2‑positive ICC accepted with priority review in China. |
| Dec 16 | Global trial start | Positive | +0.5% | Global Phase I/IIa trial launched for ATTC candidate HMPL‑A251 in solid tumors. |
Recent positive trial and regulatory updates have produced mixed share reactions, with 3 divergences and 2 alignments between upbeat news and next‑day price moves.
Over the last two months, HUTCHMED has reported multiple advances across its pipeline. Phase III sovleplenib data in wAIHA met its primary endpoint with a 2.84% next‑day gain. Other milestones include initiation of a large Phase III in pancreatic cancer, priority review NDAs for savolitinib and fanregratinib in China, and global Phase I/IIa development of HMPL‑A251. Today’s SACHI Lancet publication adds another late‑stage validation for savolitinib plus osimertinib in MET‑amplified EGFR‑mutant NSCLC.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights publication of the Phase III SACHI results in The Lancet, reinforcing evidence for savolitinib plus osimertinib in EGFR‑mutant, MET‑amplified NSCLC after EGFR‑TKI progression. It builds on China’s June 2025 approval of the combination and follows other recent late‑stage wins, including positive Phase III sovleplenib data and multiple NDAs. Investors may watch for how these accumulating clinical milestones translate into additional regulatory decisions and commercial execution.
Key Terms
phase iii medical
met amplification medical
nsclc medical
tki medical
tyrosine kinase inhibitor medical
met tki medical
third-generation medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
— First randomized Phase III trial confirming the efficacy of MET inhibition in patients with advanced NSCLC and acquired MET amplification after progression on prior EGFR-TKI treatment —
— Savolitinib and osimertinib combination approved in China in June 2025 —
HONG KONG, SHANGHAI and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUTCHMED (China) Limited (“HUTCHMED”) (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) today highlights that results from the SACHI Phase III trial were published in The Lancet. SACHI is a Phase III study of the savolitinib (ORPATHYS®) and osimertinib (TAGRISSO®) combination for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (“EGFR”) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) with MET amplification after disease progression on first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (“TKI”) therapy.
Savolitinib is an oral, potent and highly selective MET TKI being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and HUTCHMED and commercialized by AstraZeneca. Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR TKI. Based on interim data from SACHI, the savolitinib and osimertinib combination was granted regulatory approval in China in June 2025.
“The SACHI trial, now published in The Lancet, provides compelling evidence that savolitinib combined with osimertinib can transform outcomes for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC with MET amplification. These findings highlight the combination’s ability to address MET amplification, a critical resistance mechanism, offering clinically meaningful improvements for this challenging patient population,” said Professor Shun Lu, Chief of the Shanghai Lung Cancer Center at Shanghai Chest Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and co-leading Principal Investigator of the SACHI trial. “We are particularly encouraged by the consistent benefits observed in patients previously treated with third-generation EGFR-TKIs, where savolitinib plus osimertinib offers a continued all-oral regimen, providing a convenient and well-tolerated solution for this underserved population.” Professor Jie Wang of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences also served as co-leading Principal Investigator of the SACHI trial.
About the SACHI Phase III Trial
In January 2025, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) of SACHI considered that the study had met the pre-defined primary endpoint of progression-free survival (“PFS”) in a planned interim analysis and, as a result, enrollment into the study has concluded. As of the interim analysis data cut-off of August 30, 2024, a total of 211 patients were randomized to receive the savolitinib and osimertinib combination (n=106) or chemotherapy (n=105). In the intention-to-treat (“ITT”) population, the median PFS assessed by investigator was 8.2 months (
The investigator-assessed objective response rate (“ORR”) was
In the third-generation EGFR TKI–naïve subgroup population (i.e. patients previously treated with a first- or second-generation EGFR TKI), investigator-assessed median PFS was 9.8 vs 5.4 months (HR 0.34;
The safety profile of the savolitinib and osimertinib combination was tolerable and no new safety signals were observed. Treatment-emergent adverse events (“TEAEs”) of Grade 3 or above occurred in
About NSCLC and MET aberrations
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths.1 Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer, with 80
MET is a tyrosine kinase receptor that has an essential role in normal cell development. MET overexpression and/or amplification can lead to tumor growth and the metastatic progression of cancer cells, and is one of the mechanisms of de novo or acquired resistance to EGFR TKI for metastatic EGFRm NSCLC.8,9
About ORPATHYS®
ORPATHYS® (savolitinib) is an oral, potent and highly selective MET TKI that has demonstrated clinical activity in advanced solid tumors. It blocks atypical activation of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase pathway that occurs because of mutations (such as exon 14 skipping alterations or other point mutations), gene amplification or protein overexpression.
ORPATHYS® is approved in China and is marketed by AstraZeneca for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping alteration, representing the first selective MET inhibitor approved in China. ORPATHYS® is also approved in China for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm-positive non-squamous NSCLC with MET amplification after disease progression on EGFR TKI therapy, in combination with TAGRISSO®.
It is currently under clinical development for multiple tumor types, including lung, kidney, and gastric cancers as a single treatment and in combination with other medicines.
About TAGRISSO®
TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI with proven clinical activity in NSCLC, including against central nervous system (CNS) metastases. TAGRISSO® (40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets) has been used to treat more than one million patients across its indications worldwide and AstraZeneca continues to explore TAGRISSO® as a treatment for patients across multiple stages of EGFRm NSCLC.
There is an extensive body of evidence supporting the use of TAGRISSO® in EGFRm NSCLC, and it is the only targeted therapy shown to improve patient outcomes across all stages of the disease.
In late-stage disease, TAGRISSO® demonstrated improved outcomes as monotherapy in the FLAURA Phase III trial and in combination with chemotherapy in the FLAURA2 Phase III trial. TAGRISSO® is also being investigated in this setting in combination with ORPATHYS® (savolitinib) in the SAFFRON Phase III trial and in combination with DATROWAY® (datopotamab deruxtecan or Dato-DXd) in the TROPION-Lung14 and TROPION-Lung15 Phase III trials.
TAGRISSO® also showed improved outcomes in early-stage disease in the NeoADAURA and ADAURA Phase III trials and in locally advanced stages in the LAURA Phase III trial. As part of AstraZeneca’s ongoing commitment to treating patients as early as possible in lung cancer, TAGRISSO® is also being investigated in the early-stage adjuvant resectable setting in the ADAURA2 Phase III trial.
About ORPATHYS® and TAGRISSO® Combination Development in EGFR-mutated NSCLC
This combination represents a promising chemotherapy-free oral treatment strategy to address mechanisms of resistance in this setting. Among patients who experience disease progression following treatment with a third-generation EGFR TKI, approximately 15
SACHI: This Phase III trial in China evaluated the combination of ORPATHYS® and TAGRISSO® compared to platinum-based doublet chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with EGFRm, MET-amplified locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC following progression on treatment with an EGFR TKI. Results were presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. The treatment combination received approval in China in June 2025.
SAFFRON: This ongoing global Phase III trial is to evaluate the combination of ORPATHYS® and TAGRISSO® compared to platinum-based doublet chemotherapy in patients with EGFRm, MET-overexpressed and/or amplified, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC following progression on treatment with TAGRISSO®. This received Fast Track Designation from the US FDA and enrollment was completed in October 2025. We look forward to completing this trial to support potential US and other global registration filings.
SANOVO: This ongoing Phase III trial in China is to evaluate the combination of ORPATHYS® and TAGRISSO® compared to TAGRISSO® monotherapy in previously untreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFRm and MET overexpression. Enrollment was completed in August 2025.
About HUTCHMED
HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) is an innovative, commercial-stage, biopharmaceutical company. It is committed to the discovery and global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. Since inception it has focused on bringing drug candidates from in-house discovery to patients around the world, with its first three medicines marketed in China, the first of which is also approved around the world including in the US, Europe and Japan. For more information, please visit: www.hutch-med.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect HUTCHMED’s current expectations regarding future events, including its expectations regarding the therapeutic potential of ORPATHYS®, the further clinical development for ORPATHYS®, its expectations as to whether any studies on ORPATHYS® would meet their primary or secondary endpoints, and its expectations as to the timing of the completion and the release of results from such studies. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, assumptions regarding enrollment rates and the timing and availability of subjects meeting a study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria; changes to clinical protocols or regulatory requirements; unexpected adverse events or safety issues; the ability of ORPATHYS®, including as a combination therapy, to meet the primary or secondary endpoint of a study, to obtain regulatory approval in other jurisdictions and to gain commercial acceptance after obtaining regulatory approval; the potential market of ORPATHYS® for a targeted indication; and HUTCHMED and/or its partner’s ability to fund, implement and complete its further clinical development and commercialization plans for ORPATHYS®, and the timing of these events. In addition, as certain studies rely on the use of other drug products such as TAGRISSO® as combination therapeutics with ORPATHYS®, such risks and uncertainties include assumptions regarding the safety, efficacy, supply and continued regulatory approval of these therapeutics. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. For further discussion of these and other risks, see HUTCHMED’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and on AIM. HUTCHMED undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Medical Information
This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.
CONTACTS
| Investor Enquiries | +852 2121 8200 /ir@hutch-med.com |
| Media Enquiries | |
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| Brunswick – Zhou Yi | +852 9783 6894 (Mobile) /HUTCHMED@brunswickgroup.com |
| Panmure Liberum | Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker |
| Atholl Tweedie / Emma Earl / Rupert Dearden | +44 20 7886 2500 |
| Cavendish | Joint Broker |
| Geoff Nash / Nigel Birks | +44 20 7220 0500 |
| Deutsche Numis | Joint Broker |
| Freddie Barnfield / Jeffrey Wong / Duncan Monteith | +44 20 7260 1000 |
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| 2 | American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html. Accessed November 2022. | ||||
| 3 | Knight SB, et al. Progress and prospects of early detection in lung cancer. Open Biol. 2017;7(9): 170070. | ||||
| 4 | Keedy VL, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation Testing for Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Considering First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2011:29;2121-27. | ||||
| 5 | Zhang Y, et al. The prevalence of EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2016;7(48). | ||||
| 6 | Szumera-Ciećkiewicz A, et al. EGFR Mutation Testing on Cytological and Histological Samples in 11. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Polish, Single Institution Study and Systematic Review of European Incidence. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2013:6;2800-12. | ||||
| 7 | Gou LY, et al. Prevalence of driver mutations in non-small-cell lung cancers in the People’s Republic of China. Lung Cancer: Targets and Therapy. 2014; 5; 1–9. | ||||
| 8 | Uchikawa E, et al. Structural basis of the activation of c-MET receptor. Nat Commun. 2021;12(4074). | ||||
| 9 | Wang Q, et al. MET inhibitors for targeted therapy of EGFR TKI-resistant lung cancer. Journal of Hematology & Oncology. 2019;63. | ||||