Raludotatug Deruxtecan Shows Clinically Meaningful Response in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian, Peritoneal, or Fallopian Tube Cancer: Phase 2 Results from REJOICE-Ovarian01 Trial

10/19/2025 – 08:45 AM

• A 50.5% objective response rate was observed with raludotatug deruxtecan across all dose levels in these patients during the phase 2 part of the REJOICE-Ovarian01 trial.

• The Phase 3 portion of the REJOICE-Ovarian01 trial will evaluate a 5.6 mg/kg dose of raludotatug deruxtecan against the investigator’s choice of chemotherapy.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. & RAHWAY, N.J. – Preliminary results from the phase 2 (dose optimization) stage of the REJOICE-Ovarian01 phase 2/3 trial reveal that raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd) showcased clinically significant response rates in patients diagnosed with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. These findings were unveiled today at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (#ESMO25) Congress.

Raludotatug deruxtecan, an innovative CDH6-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC), was pioneered by Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and is currently undergoing joint development by Daiichi Sankyo and Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada. This partnership underscores the growing trend of collaborative drug development in the oncology space, leveraging the strengths of both companies.

The prognosis for advanced ovarian cancer following recurrence remains grim, with a median overall survival of approximately two years and a five-year survival rate of just 31.8% for those with distant-stage disease. The fact that 70% to 80% of advanced ovarian cancer patients experience disease progression despite standard platinum-based chemotherapy underscores the urgent need for effective alternative therapeutics.

The phase 2 data showed a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 50.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.6-60.3) in a cohort of 107 platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients treated with raludotatug deruxtecan at varying doses (4.8 mg/kg, 5.6 mg/kg, and 6.4 mg/kg). This was assessed by a blinded independent central review (BICR). The study reported 3 complete responses (CRs) and 51 partial responses (PRs), along with a disease control rate (DCR) of 77.6% (95% CI: 68.5–85.1). The objective response rate provides a solid foundation for further investigation into the efficacy of raludotatug deruxtecan.

Within the 5.6 mg/kg dose group (n=36), the confirmed ORR reached 50.0% (95% CI: 32.9–67.1) by BICR, including two CRs (5.6%) and 16 PRs (44.4%), alongside a DCR of 80.6% (95% CI: 64.0–91.8). The consistent tumor responses across doses and CDH6 expression levels highlight the drug’s potential to benefit a broad patient population.

The observed safety profile in REJOICE-Ovarian01 aligns with previous phase 1 outcomes, and no unexpected safety concerns have emerged. Commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) included nausea, anemia, asthenia, and neutropenia. Treatment discontinuations due to treatment-related TEAEs occurred in 8.3% (n=3), 0.0% (n=0), and 8.6% (n=3) in the 4.8 mg/kg, 5.6mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg groups, respectively. Grade 3 or higher treatment-related TEAEs occurred in 27.8% (n=10), 30.6% (n=11), and 48.6% (n=17) of patients in the 4.8 mg/kg (n=36), 5.6 mg/kg (n=36), and 6.4 mg/kg (n=35) groups, respectively.

The most frequent TEAEs, affecting at least 10% of the 5.6 mg/kg cohort, were nausea (69.4%), anemia (58.3%), asthenia (50.0%), neutropenia (44.4%), vomiting (33.3%), constipation (27.8%), decreased appetite (25.0%), thrombocytopenia (19.4%), AST increase (16.7%), diarrhea (16.7%), and leukopenia (13.9%). Four (3.7%) confirmed cases of treatment-related interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis were observed across all doses as determined by an independent adjudication committee. Most ILD events were low-grade (grade 1 or 2). The 5.6 mg/kg dose demonstrated a favorable balance of efficacy and safety, leading to its selection for the phase 3 trial.

Isabelle Ray-Coquard, MD, PhD, President of the European Network of Gynecological Oncology Trial (ENGOT) Group, commented on the results, stating, “When ovarian cancer becomes resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy, treatment options for patients become limited. These promising results from the first part of REJOICE-Ovarian01 suggest that raludotatug deruxtecan may have an important role in treating patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and support further evaluation in the phase 3 portion of this trial.”

Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head of R&D at Daiichi Sankyo, highlighted the rapid responses and impressive disease control observed with raludotatug deruxtecan across a range of CDH6 expression levels. “These results, which contributed to the recent Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the U.S., reinforce the potential for raludotatug deruxtecan to become a new treatment option for certain types of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer,” he said.

Eliav Barr, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer at Merck Research Laboratories, emphasized the unmet need for additional options for patients with ovarian cancer. “CDH6 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer, which underscores the potential of raludotatug deruxtecan to make an impact,” Barr noted.

Raludotatug deruxtecan secured Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2025 for the treatment of adult patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers expressing CDH6 who have previously been treated with bevacizumab. This regulatory milestone underscores the potential of the drug as a significant advance in cancer treatment.

The median follow-up periods for the 4.8-mg/kg, 5.6-mg/kg and 6.4-mg/kg cohorts were 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.7–6.3), 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.6–5.8), and 5.2 months (95% CI: 4.9–5.8), respectively. The study population primarily consisted of patients who had received three prior lines of treatment, including bevacizumab (n=89; 83.2%), PARP inhibitor (n=75; 70.1%) and mirvetuximab soravtansine (n=3; 2.8%). As of the data cut-off on February 26, 2025, 66 patients (61.7%) remained on treatment with raludotatug deruxtecan.

About REJOICE-Ovarian01
REJOICE-Ovarian01 is a global, multicenter, randomized, open-label phase 2/3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of investigational raludotatug deruxtecan in patients with platinum-resistant, high-grade ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer, with disease progression following at least one but no more than three prior lines of systemic therapy, including prior treatment with mirvetuximab soravtansine for those with documented high-folate receptor alpha expression. Maintenance therapy (e.g., bevacizumab, poly ADP-ribose polymerase [PARP] inhibitors) is considered part of the preceding line of therapy.

The phase 2 part of REJOICE-Ovarian01 is assessing the safety and tolerability of three doses of raludotatug deruxtecan (4.8 mg/kg, 5.6 mg/kg, or 6.4 mg/kg) to identify the recommended dose for the phase 3 part of the trial. The primary endpoint of the phase 2 part of the trial is ORR as assessed by BICR. Key secondary endpoints include ORR as assessed by investigator, DoR, PFS and DCR – all assessed by both BICR and investigator.

The phase 3 part of REJOICE-Ovarian01 is assessing the efficacy and safety of raludotatug deruxtecan at the selected dose (5.6 mg/kg) compared to investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, gemcitabine or topotecan). The dual primary endpoints of the phase 3 part of the trial are ORR and PFS as assessed by BICR. Secondary endpoints include PFS and ORR as assessed by investigator, DoR and DCR as assessed by both BICR and investigator, and OS. Pharmacokinetic and biomarker endpoints also will be assessed in both parts of the trial.

REJOICE-Ovarian01 is expected to enroll approximately 710 patients across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

About Ovarian Cancer
In 2022, over 324,000 women globally received an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Advanced ovarian cancer has a median overall survival of just two years post recurrence, and a 31.8% five-year survival rate for distant stage disease.

Targeted therapies have improved treatment options and survival. Nonetheless, more options are needed for patients when tumors progress on available treatments. Between 70% and 80% of those diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer experience disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is defined as disease progression less than six months after last platinum-based chemotherapy; this comes with a particularly poor prognosis and few treatment options.

About CDH6
CDH6 (human cadherin-6) is a cadherin family protein that is overexpressed in several cancers. An estimated 65% to 94% of patients with ovarian cancer have tumors expressing CDH6. CDH6 is more frequently observed in high-grade serous carcinomas. There is currently no CDH6 directed medicine approved for treatment of any cancer.

About Raludotatug Deruxtecan
Raludotatug deruxtecan is an investigational, potential first-in-class CDH6 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC Technology, raludotatug deruxtecan is comprised of a humanized anti-CDH6 IgG1 monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers.

About the Daiichi Sankyo and Merck Collaboration
Daiichi Sankyo and Merck (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) entered into a global collaboration in October 2023 to jointly develop and commercialize patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd), except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo will maintain exclusive rights. Daiichi Sankyo will be solely responsible for manufacturing and supply. In August 2024, the global co-development and co-commercialization agreement was expanded to include gocatamig (MK-6070/DS3280), which the companies will jointly develop and commercialize worldwide, except in Japan where Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA will maintain exclusive rights. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA will be solely responsible for manufacturing and supply for gocatamig.

About the ADC Portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo
The Daiichi Sankyo ADC portfolio consists of seven ADCs in clinical development crafted from two distinct ADC technology platforms discovered in-house by Daiichi Sankyo.

The ADC platform furthest in clinical development is Daiichi Sankyo’s DXd ADC Technology where each ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers. The DXd ADC portfolio currently consists of ENHERTU^®, a HER2 directed ADC, and DATROWAY^®, a TROP2 directed ADC, which are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with AstraZeneca. Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), a HER3 directed ADC, ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), a B7-H3 directed ADC, and raludotatug deruxtecan (R-DXd), a CDH6 directed ADC, are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA. DS-3939, a TA-MUC1 directed ADC, is being developed by Daiichi Sankyo.

The second Daiichi Sankyo ADC platform consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a modified pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) payload. DS-9606, a CLDN6 directed PBD ADC, is the first of several planned ADCs in clinical development utilizing this platform.

Ifinatamab deruxtecan, patritumab deruxtecan, raludotatug deruxtecan, DS-3939 and DS-9606 are investigational medicines that have not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo is an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society that discovers, develops and delivers new standards of care to enrich the quality of life around the world. With more than 120 years of experience, Daiichi Sankyo leverages its world-class science and technology to create new modalities and innovative medicines for people with cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases with high unmet medical needs.

Merck’s Focus on Cancer
Every day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 25 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer.

About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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