Late-breaking HERIZON-GEA-01 presentation highlights the expanding clinical profile of Ziihera across HER2-driven gastrointestinal cancers
Jazz to host investor webcast on Friday, January 9, 2026, to review data
For U.S. media and investors only
DUBLIN, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) today announced two abstracts featuring key data for Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii) have been accepted for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) from January 8-10, 2026, in San Francisco. The Phase 3 HERIZON-GEA-01 trial results in first-line HER2-positive (HER2+) locally advanced or metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) were accepted as a late-breaking presentation. Additionally, a new post-hoc overall survival (OS) analysis from the HERIZON-BTC-01 Phase 2b trial in previously treated HER2+ biliary tract cancer (BTC) will be presented, providing further information for this approved indication.
“We look forward to sharing the clinically meaningful results from the Phase 3 HERIZON-GEA-01 trial with the oncology community at ASCO GI,” said Rob Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E., executive vice president, global head of research and development, and chief medical officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. “Advanced HER2+ GEA, which includes cancers of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction and esophagus, remains an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis and continues to be an area with limited progress for patients. This trial was designed to evaluate whether Ziihera plus chemotherapy, with or without tislelizumab, could improve on the current standard of care in first-line therapy. We believe these positive results support Ziihera as the HER2-targeted agent-of-choice and the Ziihera combinations to become the new standard of care for patients with HER2+ first-line metastatic GEA regardless of PD-L1 status. Alongside new analyses from the HERIZON-BTC-01 Phase 2b trial, these presentations highlight the continued impact of our broad zanidatamab clinical program and our commitment to advancing innovation across HER2-targeted cancers.”
The Phase 3 HERIZON-GEA-01 trial, conducted jointly with BeOne Medicines, is evaluating Ziihera in combination with chemotherapy, with or without the PD-1 inhibitor Tevimbra® (tislelizumab), as first-line treatment for HER2+ locally advanced or metastatic GEA. As previously announced, both Ziihera plus chemotherapy and Ziihera plus tislelizumab and chemotherapy demonstrated highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to the control arm, trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. Ziihera plus tislelizumab and chemotherapy also demonstrated clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in overall survival (OS), and Ziihera plus chemotherapy demonstrated a clinically meaningful effect with a strong trend toward statistical significance for OS compared to the control arm at the time of this first analysis.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals will host an investor webcast on Friday, January 9, at 6:30 a.m. PT/ 9:30 a.m. ET to review the Ziihera data presented at the meeting. The webcast will include commentary from the company’s senior management and Dr. Geoffrey Ku, Associate Attending physician on the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The webcast may be accessed from the Investors section of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com. To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that participants register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast.
A replay of the webcast will be available via the Investors section of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals website.
Details for both presentations can be found online and below:
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Presentation Title |
Authors |
Presentation Details |
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Zanidatamab (zani) + |
Elena Elimova, Sun Young Rha, Kohei |
Type: Late-Breaking Abstract Session: Oral Abstract Session Date: Thursday, Jan. 8, 8:57- Abstract number: LBA285 |
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Landmark analysis of |
James J Harding, Jia Fan, Do-Youn Oh, |
Type: Poster Session Session: Poster Session B: Date: Friday, Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 Abstract number: 545 |
The majority of abstracts accepted to ASCO GI will be released at 2:00 p.m. PT/ 5:00 p.m. ET on January 5, 2026. Late-breaking abstracts will be released at 7:00 a.m. PT / 10:00 a.m. ET on their day of presentation at the Symposium and made publicly available online at that time.
About Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma GEA, including cancers of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction, and esophagus, is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, and approximately 20% of patients have HER2+ disease.1,2,3 HER2+ GEA has high morbidity and mortality, and patients are urgently in need of new treatment options. The overall prognosis for patients with GEA remains poor, with a global five-year survival rate of less than 30% for gastric cancer and about 19% for GEA.4
About Biliary Tract CancerBTC, which includes gallbladder cancer and intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, are rare and aggressive epithelial tumors often associated with poor prognosis.5,6 Although they account for less than 1% of all human cancers, cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer after hepatocellular carcinoma and comprises approximately 10–15% of all primary liver cancers. Global mortality from BTC has risen in recent decades.7
Because early symptoms are often vague or nonspecific, most BTCs are diagnosed at an advanced stage,8 when curative surgery is not an option.6,9,10 While chemotherapy and, more recently, immunotherapy-based combinations are used in the first-line setting, disease progression is common. In the absence of molecular profiling, treatment options following first-line therapy are largely limited to chemotherapy.7,9,11
HER2 overexpression or amplification defines a distinct molecular subtype of BTC12 and is observed in approximately 26% of patients globally.13 HER2-positive BTC is associated with worse prognosis than HER2-negative disease.14 Across the U.S., Europe, and Japan, an estimated 12,000 people are diagnosed with HER2-positive BTC each year.15
About Ziihera® (zanidatamab-hrii)
Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii) is a bispecific HER2-directed antibody that binds to two extracellular sites on HER2. Binding of zanidatamab-hrii with HER2 results in internalization leading to a reduction in HER2 expression of the receptor on the tumor cell surface. Zanidatamab-hrii induces complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). These mechanisms result in tumor growth inhibition and cell death in vitro and in vivo.16 In the United States, Ziihera is indicated for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive (IHC 3+) BTC, as detected by an FDA-approved test.16 The U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval for this indication based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).16
Zanidatamab is being developed in multiple clinical trials as a targeted treatment option for patients with solid tumors that express HER2. Zanidatamab is being developed by Jazz Pharmaceuticals and BeOne Medicines under license agreements from Zymeworks Inc., which first developed the molecule.
The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for zanidatamab’s development in patients with previously treated HER2 gene-amplified BTC, and two Fast Track designations for zanidatamab: one as a single agent for refractory BTC and one in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy for first-line GEA. Additionally, zanidatamab has received Orphan Drug designations from the FDA for the treatment of BTC and GEA, as well as Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of BTC and gastric cancer.
Important Safety Information for ZIIHERA
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WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY |
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity ZIIHERA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In literature reports, use of a HER2-directed antibody during pregnancy resulted in cases of oligohydramnios and oligohydramnios sequence manifesting as pulmonary hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and neonatal death.
Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of ZIIHERA. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential that exposure to ZIIHERA during pregnancy or within 4 months prior to conception can result in fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZIIHERA and for 4 months following the last dose of ZIIHERA.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction ZIIHERA can cause decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). LVEF declined by >10% and decreased to 2% of patients included biliary obstruction (15%), biliary tract infection (8%), sepsis (8%), pneumonia (5%), diarrhea (3.8%), gastric obstruction (3.8%), and fatigue (2.5%). A fatal adverse reaction of hepatic failure occurred in one patient who received ZIIHERA.
The most common adverse reactions in 80 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive BTC who received ZIIHERA (≥20%) were diarrhea (50%), infusion-related reaction (35%), abdominal pain (29%), and fatigue (24%).
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy of ZIIHERA have not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use Of the 80 patients who received ZIIHERA for unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive BTC, there were 39 (49%) patients 65 years of age and older. Thirty-seven (46%) were aged 65-74 years old and 2 (3%) were aged 75 years or older.
No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger adult patients.
The full U.S. Prescribing Information for ZIIHERA, including BOXED Warning, is available at: https://pp.jazzpharma.com/pi/ziihera.en.USPI.pdf
® TEVIMBRA (tislelizumab) is a registered trademark of BeOne Medicines.
About Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing potentially life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide. Please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com for more information.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to the potential therapeutic benefits of Ziihera, Ziihera’s potential as a new standard of care in HER2+ first-line GEA and other HER2-expressing cancers, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the successful completion of regulatory activities and uncertain regulatory approval, risks related to failure or delays in successfully initiating or completing clinical trials and assessing patients and other risks and uncertainties affecting Jazz Pharmaceuticals and its development programs, including those described from time to time under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Jazz Pharmaceuticals’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports (Commission File No. 001-33500), including Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as supplemented by Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and future filings and reports by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Other risks and uncertainties of which Jazz Pharmaceuticals is not currently aware may also affect Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements, even if they are subsequently made available by Jazz Pharmaceuticals on its website or otherwise. Jazz Pharmaceuticals undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made.
Contacts:Media Contact:
Kristin Bhavnani
Head of Global Corporate Communications
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
[email protected]Ireland +353 1 637 2141
U.S. +1 215 867 4948
Jazz Investor Contact:
Jack Spinks
Executive Director, Investor Relations
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc
[email protected]Ireland +353 1 634 3211
U.S. +1 650 496 2717
References
1 Abrahao-Machado I.F., et al. HER2 testing in gastric cancer: An update WorldJGastroenterol. 2016;22(19):4619-4625.
2 Van Custem E., et al. HER2 screening data from ToGA: targeting HER2 in gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Gastric Cancer. 2015;18(3):476-484.
3 Stroes, C.I., et al. A systematic review of HER2 blockade for the curative treatment of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: Successes achieved and opportunities ahead. CancerTreatRev. 2021;99:102249.
4 Battaglin F, et al. Molecular biomarkers in gastro-esophageal cancer: recent developments, current trends and future directions. Cancer Cell International. 2018;18(99).
5 Mirallas O, López-Valbuena D, García-Illescas D, et al. Advances in the systemic treatment of therapeutic approaches in biliary tract cancer. ESMO Open. 2022;7(3):100503. doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100503.
6 Kam A, et al. Current and emerging therapies for advanced biliary tract cancers. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;6(11):956-69. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00171-0.
7 Vogel A, Bridgewater J, Edeline J, et al. Biliary tract cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(2):127-40. doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2022.10.506.
8 Rimassa, L., Khan, S., Koerkamp, B. G., Roessler, S.,et al. Mapping the landscape of biliary tract cancer in Europe: challenges and controversies. The Lancet Regional Health–Europe. 2025; 50, 101171. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101171.
9 Chakrabarti, S., Kamgar, M., Mahipal, A. Targeted therapies in advanced biliary tract cancer: an evolving paradigm. Cancers. 2020;12(8), 2039. doi.org/10.3390/cancers12082039.
10 Valle JW, Kelley RK, et al. Biliary tract cancer. Lancet. 2021;397(10272):428-44. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00153-7.
11 Lamarca, A., Hubner, R. A., Ryder, W. D., et al. Second-line chemotherapy in advanced biliary cancer: a systematic review. Annals of Oncology. 2025; 25(12), 2328-2338. doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdu162.
12 Hechtman, J. F., Liu, W., Sadowska, J.,et al. Sequencing of 279 cancer genes in ampullary carcinoma reveals trends relating to histologic subtypes and frequent amplification and overexpression of ERBB2 (HER2). Modern Pathology. 2015;28(8), 1123-1129. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2015.57.
13 Galdy S, Lamarca A, et al. HER2/HER3 pathway in biliary tract malignancies; systematic review and meta-analysis: a potential therapeutic target? Cancer Metastas Rev. 2017; doi: 10.1007/s10555-016-9645-x.
14 Vivaldi, C. HER2 overexpression as a poor prognostic determinant in resected biliary tract cancer. Oncologist. 2020;25(10):886-893. doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0922.
15 Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Data on file.
16 ZIIHERA (zanidatamab-hrii) Prescribing Information. Palo Alto, CA: Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
SOURCE Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc