Merus’ ASCO data bolster case for first-in-class bispecific

Ahead of next week’s ASCO meeting, Merus is emerging as a standout with promising Phase II data from its EGFR x LGR5 bispecific antibody, petosemtamab. The candidate has caught investors’ attention for targeting LGR5 — a cancer stem cell marker — as a novel way to block EGFR signaling.

Shares of Merus N.V. (NASDAQ:MRUS) rose 33% to $55.14 on Friday following the release of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) abstracts late Thursday, making the company one of the largest ASCO gainers so far...