HUTCHMED

SAFFRON data positions savo combo competitively

Lighthouse | 18 August 2026

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  • HUTCHMED and partner AstraZeneca (AZ) have announced the positive efficacy read out of the global registrational Phase III SAFFRON trial of savolitinib plus Tagrisso (osimertinib) in MET-driven 2L EGFRm non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no new safety findings. The combination demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) vs doublet platinum-based chemotherapy. Full data will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and support global ex-China regulatory filings.
  • SAFFRON, a randomised, open-label multicentre Phase III study, enrolled 338 patients with EGFRm locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC with MET overexpression or amplification who had progressed following 1L or 2L treatment with Tagrisso. Patients were prospectively selected for high MET levels using immunohistochemistry and florescence in situ hybridization (FISH). SAFFRON aimed to evaluate the efficacy of savolitinib in combination with Tagrisso vs premetrexed plus either cisplatin or carboplatin, with a PFS primary endpoint, and OS and ORR as secondary endpoints.
  • The savolitinib (Orpathys) and Tagrisso combination was approved in China in June 2025 for 2L advanced or metastatic EGFRm MET-amplified NSCLC after progression on prior EGFR-TKI therapy, following the positive read out of the China Phase III SACHI trial. In the SACHI trial, in the intent to treat (ITT) population median PFS was 8.2 months with savolitinib + Tagrisso vs 4.5 months with chemotherapy (HR 0.34). Importantly, in the predefined subgroup of patients that had received prior third-generation TKI treatment (ie Tagrisso), the median PFS was 6.9 months vs 3.0 months (HR 0.32). This population is similar to that studied in the SAFFRON trial and is also representative of the real world setting as Tagrisso is the standard of care in 1L EGFRm NSCLC in the US, Europe, and Japan.
  • Tagrisso has significantly improved outcomes for EGFRm NSCLC patients, however, MET aberrations (amplification or overexpression) are a common resistance mechanism, leading to a poorer prognosis for the estimated 34% of patients affected. The savolitinib plus Tagrisso combination could offer these currently poorly served patients a well-tolerated, all-oral, biomarker specific treatment option, and is a key life-cycle management element for AZ.

Trinity Delta view: Positive SAFFRON efficacy data pave the way for partner AstraZeneca to submit first global regulatory filings for the savolitinib/Tagrisso combination and address a common resistance mechanism in EGFRm NSCLC. This well-tolerated, all-oral combination, coupled with a commercial biomarker strategy, could offer a differentiated treatment option for 2L advanced or metastatic EGFRm MET-amplified NSCLC. Potential ex-China regulatory approval(s) from 2027/8 would make savolitinib HUTCHMED’s second global product after Fruzqla (partnered with Takeda), supporting medium-term growth prospects. For FY26, HUTCHMED has guided to Oncology/Immunology revenues of $330m-$450m. Our last published HUTCHMED valuation was $5.80bn/£4.54bn/ HK$45.27bn, or $33.27/ADS and 520p/HK$51.90 per share.

Lighthouse

18 August 2026

Price (US ADS)
(UK share)
(SEHK share)
$12.56
190.0p
HK$20.08
Market Cap
 
$2.18bn
£1.65bn
HK$17.45bn
ExchangesNASDAQ
AIM London
SEHK
SectorHealthcare
Company CodesHCM
HCM.L
0013.HK
Corporate clientYes

Company description

HUTCHMED is a Hong Kong headquartered biopharma focused on discovering, developing and commercialising innovative targeted therapeutics and immunotherapies to treat cancer and immunological diseases for the China and global markets.

Analysts

Lala Gregorek
lgregorek@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5043

Franc Gregori
fgregori@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5041

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