Cadonilimab in combination with chemotherapy delivered positive Phase II results for first-line treatment of PD-L1-negative advanced non-small cell lung cancer, according to trial reporting. The combination targets a PD-L1-negative population where options have historically been limited, and it sets up competitive pressure for next-generation immunotherapy-combo strategies. If confirmatory work supports the signal, cadonilimab could expand into a segment defined by biomarker-negative biology rather than PD-L1 expression. The trial’s design and patient selection will matter for how rapidly clinicians adopt the regimen. The development adds to a crowded NSCLC immunotherapy landscape where every incremental improvement in biomarker-defined subgroups can translate into meaningful share gains for sponsors.