Merck and Kelun-Biotech reported Phase 3 results for sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in treatment-naïve, PD-L1–positive non-small cell lung cancer, showing a 65% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death versus Keytruda alone in an OptiTROP-Lung05 interim analysis. At an ASCO abstract release ahead of ASCO 2026, the companies said median progression-free survival was not reached in the combination arm after 10.5 months’ follow-up, compared with 5.7 months for Keytruda. A preliminary overall survival trend favoring the combo was also reported, though OS data were not mature at the Sept. 29, 2025 cutoff. Regulatory relevance will hinge on final PFS and mature OS analyses later this year, but the dataset adds pressure to the evolving frontline NSCLC landscape that includes PD-(L)1xVEGF bispecific strategies.