Johnson & Johnson Posts 77% Response in Cancer Trial

Achieving a 77% tumor shrinkage rate, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) presented early-stage clinical trial data for advanced head and neck cancer at the European Society for Medical Oncology 2026 Congress in Madrid. The bispecific antibody developed by the company, named Rybrevant Faspro, was administered alongside carboplatin chemotherapy and pembrolizumab, marketed by Merck (MRK) under the brand name Keytruda.

The Phase 1b/2 study, named OrigAMI-4, included 22 patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma not caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). While all patients in the group experienced some degree of tumor shrinkage, a complete response was achieved in 14% of them, with detectable tumors disappearing entirely. Responses to treatment emerged at a median of 9.4 weeks, and 65% of the responses were maintained over a median follow-up period of 10.6 months. At the end of year 1, 77% of patients remained alive; however, the study was not designed to prove a direct survival advantage over existing standard treatments. In the group of 7 patients diagnosed with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, the response rate stood at 29%.

What results were obtained in the Rybrevant Faspro clinical trial?

Developed to block EGFR and MET proteins that trigger tumor growth, Rybrevant Faspro is administered via subcutaneous injection in 5 minutes or less, rather than intravenous infusion. Among the most common side effects in the study were anemia at 73%, low albumin at 63%, decreased platelets at 63%, and oral inflammation at 57%. Injection-related reactions were recorded in 13% of patients, and no severe cases were reported.

What does commercial expansion mean for Johnson & Johnson?

The drug, which received approval for certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in December 2025, has its head and neck cancer application under priority review by the US Food and Drug Administration. Because the early-phase study lacked a control group, the drug's commercial potential depends on the results of the broader, ongoing Phase 3 OrigAMI-5 trial. On the stock market, shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) closed the session down 1.42% at $263.81 before rising to $263.96 in after-hours trading. Merck (MRK), the manufacturer of Keytruda used in the combination, finished regular trading down 1.34% at $145.27.

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