Lung Cancer Trial Expanded to New Patient Group
A clinical study for advanced lung cancer has added a new arm for patients who have exhausted standard treatment options.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Cancer
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Innovent Biologics has expanded its Phase 3 MarsLight-11 clinical trial to include patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This addition allows the trial to evaluate the drug IBI363/TAK-928 in a broader group of people whose disease has progressed following chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Why it matters
This expansion provides a new research pathway for patients with advanced NSCLC who have limited options after failing prior therapies. By investigating this drug as a monotherapy compared to docetaxel, researchers aim to determine if this treatment can offer an effective alternative for patients facing resistant disease.
The global Phase 3 MarsLight-11 trial evaluates IBI363/TAK-928 monotherapy against docetaxel. While the study has been expanded to include non-squamous NSCLC, specific findings for this subgroup remain under investigation.
The players
Innovent Biologics
A biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Takeda
A global research-based pharmaceutical company that develops therapies for oncology, gastroenterology, and neuroscience.
The details
The drug IBI363/TAK-928 is being tested as a treatment for advanced lung cancer, specifically in patients whose conditions have worsened despite prior chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. The trial structures these participants into a new substudy, which operates independently from the existing cohort for squamous NSCLC to better understand the drug's performance across different tumor types.
Timeline
October 2025: Innovent entered a license and collaboration agreement with Takeda.
September 28, 2026: Innovent announced the expansion of the MarsLight-11 trial.
Health Landscape
The expansion of the MarsLight-11 clinical trial reflects the ongoing effort to identify effective subsequent treatments for patients whose lung cancer has progressed after standard care. This study sits within the broader landscape of late-stage trials testing novel monotherapies against established options like docetaxel.
Patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on chemotherapy and immunotherapy may wish to discuss this trial's eligibility criteria with their oncology team. It is essential to consult with your doctor to understand if participating in a clinical trial is a suitable option for your specific treatment history.
The takeaway
The expansion of the MarsLight-11 trial creates a new opportunity for clinical research in the treatment of resistant lung cancer. Patients should track ongoing trial developments and discuss the possibility of clinical study enrollment with their physician to understand if such options align with their current treatment plan.
Further reading
For more information on how researchers test new treatment approaches, visit the Cancer section.
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