Immunofoco Presents Phase I/IIa Data of IMC002 at ASCO GI 2026, Highlighting a Durable Complete Response Beyond One Year and a 66.7% ORR in Advanced GC/GEJ

On January 13, 2026 Immunofoco, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing innovative CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors, reported clinical data from its Phase I/IIa study of IMC002, a VHH-based anti-CLDN18.2 CAR-T therapy, in patients with advanced gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ). The data were presented as a poster (Abstract No. 398) at the 2026 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI 2026).

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The study is a multicenter, open-label, dose-escalation Phase I/IIa trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of IMC002 in patients with CLDN18.2-positive, locally advanced or metastatic GC/GEJ who had failed at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. The results presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI 2026 focus on the GC/GEJ cohort.

As of the data cutoff on August 8, 2025, 16 patients had received a single infusion of IMC002 and were included in the safety analysis, with 15 patients evaluable for efficacy. IMC002 demonstrated a favorable and manageable safety profile, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed during the dose-escalation phase. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in all patients but was limited to Grade 1 or 2, and no Grade ≥3 CRS, ICANS, or treatment-related deaths were reported.

In evaluable patients, IMC002 achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 66.7% (10/15). Survival data were immature at the time of analysis, with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 7.0 months (95% CI: 3.9, NA) and a median overall survival (OS) of 10.3 months (95% CI: 6.1, NA).

Notably, one patient in the 2.5×10⁸ CAR-T cell dose cohort achieved a complete response (CR) and has remained tumor-free for 60 weeks, demonstrating antitumor activity following IMC002 treatment in a heavily pretreated setting.

Further analyses indicated that IMC002 provided clinically meaningful PFS benefits in third-line and later-line GC/GEJ patients, comparing favorably with historical outcomes reported for this population. Together with its well-tolerated safety profile, these findings support the continued clinical development of IMC002 and its potential evaluation in earlier-line treatment settings.

"IMC002 demonstrated a controllable safety profile and encouraging antitumor activity in patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, including those who had failed multiple prior lines of therapy," said Professor Jianming Xu, corresponding author of the study and Professor at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital. "Of particular clinical significance, one patient achieved a complete response lasting for more than one year. These findings provide important clinical evidence supporting the application of CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, and the favorable safety profile also opens the possibility for future exploration in earlier-line settings and strategies aimed at long-term clinical benefit."

IMC002 is a novel CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T cell therapy incorporating a highly specific VHH domain, designed to enhance tumor targeting while maintaining a favorable safety profile in solid tumors. Based on the encouraging results from this Phase I/IIa study, a Phase III randomized controlled trial of IMC002 in late-line GC/GEJ patients has been initiated.

The presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI 2026 highlights Immunofoco’s continued progress in advancing CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors and underscores the therapeutic potential of CLDN18.2-targeted approaches in addressing significant unmet medical needs in advanced gastrointestinal cancers.

(Press release, Immunofoco, JAN 13, 2026, View Source;highlighting-a-durable-complete-response-beyond-one-year-and-a-66-7-orr-in-advanced-gcgej-302659498.html [SID1234661990])

Eisai and Nuvation Bio Enter into Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Taletrectinib in Europe and Additional Countries Outside the U.S., China and Japan

On January 13, 2026 Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai"), a human-centered global leading research-based pharmaceutical company working in the neurology and oncology therapeutic areas, and Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB, Corporate Headquarters: New York, NY, CEO: David Hung, M.D., "Nuvation Bio"), a global oncology company focused on tackling some of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment, reported an exclusive license and collaboration agreement that significantly expands the long-term global footprint of taletrectinib (generic name, marketed as IBTROZI in the U.S. and Japan). Taletrectinib is a highly selective, next-generation oral treatment currently approved for patients living with advanced ROS1- positive (ROS1+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the U.S., China, and Japan.

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Eisai will now have exclusive development, registration and commercialization rights for taletrectinib for the treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and India. Nuvation Bio will continue to lead global development and retain full U.S. commercial rights, maintaining its strong focus on U.S. launch activities and ongoing pivotal studies of taletrectinib across early- and late-stage ROS1+ NSCLC.

"Our partnership with Eisai represents a major global expansion milestone for taletrectinib, strengthening the long-term potential of this clinically meaningful treatment option for even more patients living with ROS1+ NSCLC," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "With Eisai’s world-class infrastructure and track record of bringing innovative medicines to market in major regions, we believe the expanse of this collaboration illustrates the commercial potential of taletrectinib while accelerating the opportunity for providers and patients around the world to access this important treatment option."

Under the terms of the exclusive license and collaboration agreement, Eisai will pay EUR 50 million (approx. USD 60 million) upfront and up to EUR 145 million (approx. USD 170 million) in regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as double-digit tiered royalties up to the high-teens as a percentage of future net sales in the licensed territories. Following the upfront payment, Eisai will pay the first milestone payment of EUR 25 million (approx. USD 30 million) from this transaction upon achievement of EU regulatory approval (conditional or full) of taletrectinib. The USD amounts are approximated based on an exchange rate of EUR1= USD1.2. Eisai anticipates no changes to its consolidated financial forecast for the period ending March 31, 2026.

"With its efficacy and safety profile, we believe taletrectinib has the potential to become a standard of care for patients with ROS1+ NSCLC in the EU and beyond, as it is already becoming the standard of care in the U.S. just six months from approval," said Terushige Iike, Chief Business Officer of Eisai Co., Ltd. "We are thrilled to partner with Nuvation Bio and prioritize taletrectinib as our flagship oncology product in NSCLC, bringing this innovative medicine to patients as quickly as possible."

A Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC is expected to be filed in Europe in the first half of 2026. Additional filings are then planned for Canada and other regions.

In June 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to taletrectinib for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC across lines of therapy, following a Priority Review and double Breakthrough Therapy designations. Taletrectinib is also approved for patients with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in Japan, where it is marketed by Nippon Kayaku, and in China, where it is marketed by Innovent Biologics under the brand name DOVBLERON.

(Press release, Eisai, JAN 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234661947])

Bio-Sourcing and Zerion Pharma Join Forces to Develop First HER2 Oral Monoclonal Antibody Against Breast Cancer

On January 12, 2026 Bio‑Sourcing and Zerion Pharma A/S reported that their joint project to develop an oral formulation of Trastuzumab, the pioneer monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer, has been awarded funding under EUREKA Eurostars. This is Bio‑Sourcing’s second Eurostars success and, together with Zerion’s breakthrough Dispersome technology, it will support the development of an oral formulation of an anti‑HER2 antibody for the treatment of HER2‑positive breast cancer.

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The program brings together Bio‑Sourcing’s disruptive BioMilk platform—which leverages natural milk components to protect and transport biologics through the gastrointestinal tract and has already been used to produce TrastuzOral —and Zerion’s solid oral‑dosage capabilities using its protein‑based Dispersome technology. Over 36 months, the consortium will optimize an orally deliverable trastuzumab biobetter produced in goat’s milk and progress it through preclinical validation, with the ambition to prepare for entry into Phase I clinical studies around 2030. The total project budget is €1.3 million, with Bio‑Sourcing as lead and Zerion as partner.

An effective oral therapy for HER2 breast cancer has the potential to move care beyond infusion centers, improving patient convenience and adherence while reducing pressure on healthcare resources. The differentiated oral route offers a compelling value proposition in a mature trastuzumab market and creates a platform opportunity to expand oral delivery to other biologics. With the global trastuzumab market estimated at $4.1 billion by 2030, an orally delivered formulation offers clear differentiation and the potential to both capture a significant share of this demand as well as increase overall market size.

Bertrand Mérot, CEO of Bio‑Sourcing: "We are delighted and very proud of Eurostars’ confirmation of the relevance of our unique strategy for oral administration of monoclonal antibodies. I am confident that our partnership with Zerion will further accelerate the development and commercialization of this disruptive formulation for breast cancer. Bio-Sourcing is thus continuing its strategy of developing oral administration of monoclonal antibodies, which has already led to the production of OralimuMab and TrastuzOral in a synergistic partnership with Zerion to further enhance this paradigm shift. The development of this breakthrough in the systemic oral administration of monoclonal antibodies will not only greatly improve patient comfort but also increase access to these innovative treatments, thereby significantly expanding the biopharmaceutical markets."

Ole Wiborg, CEO of Zerion Pharma A/S: "We are excited and very pleased to obtain this Eurostar grant together with Bio-Sourcing. I believe that our joint project holds a significant promise for improving the treatment of breast cancer patients and will further open up a plethora of additional opportunities for switching injectables to orally administered drugs. This blue stamping from EUREKA is also another recognition of our Dispersome technology and our excellent team of scientists that has relentlessly transformed great academic science into a commercially successful technology. I am grateful for that."

Eurostars forms part of the Horizon Europe framework and supports innovative SMEs and project partners—including universities and research organizations—through funding for international collaborative R&D and innovation projects. It is managed by EUREKA, an intergovernmental network covering 37 countries.

(Press release, Zerion, JAN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234662004])

TriSalus Life Sciences Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Results and 2026 Revenue Guidance

On January 12, 2026 TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TLSI) ("TriSalus" or the "Company"), an oncology focused medical technology company advancing novel drug delivery technologies alongside standard-of-care therapies to improve outcomes for patients with solid tumors, reported preliminary unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025.

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The Company anticipates fourth quarter 2025 revenues of approximately $13.2 million and full-year 2025 revenues of approximately $45.2 million. As of December 31, 2025, TriSalus estimates cash and cash equivalents of approximately $20.4 million.

"TriSalus continued to deliver strong commercial performance in the fourth quarter and exceeded our 2025 guidance of 50% annual revenue growth, underscoring the meaningful clinical adoption of our TriNav product suite and proprietary PEDD platform across a broad range of solid tumor indications," said Mary Szela, President and Chief Executive Officer of TriSalus. "We are pleased not only with our commercial execution but also with the sustained progress on our strategic initiatives, including expansion of the TriNav platform across multiple indications beyond the liver and deepening our engagement within the interventional radiology community. Looking ahead to 2026, we expect full-year revenues to be in a range of approximately $60 million to $62 million."

Projected Unaudited 2025 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Financial Results

Preliminary revenue for the fourth quarter of approximately $13.2 million, compared to $8.3 million in the prior year, representing approximately 60% growth year-over-year and sequential quarterly growth of approximately 14%.
Preliminary revenue for the year of approximately $45.2 million for the year, compared to $29.4 million in the prior year, representing approximately 53% growth year-over-year.
Year-end cash and cash equivalents of approximately $20.4 million, compared to $22.7 million at the start of the fourth quarter, a reduction in cash and cash equivalents for the fourth quarter of 2025 of $2.3 million. This reflects continued strong revenue growth and focus on operational efficiency.
The preliminary financial results set forth above are unaudited, are based on management’s initial review of TriSalus Life Science’s results as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025, and are subject to revisions based upon TriSalus Life Science’s year-end closing procedures and the completion of the external audit of TriSalus Life Science’s year-end financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from these preliminary unaudited results as a result of the completion of year-end closing procedures, final adjustments and other developments arising between now and the time that TriSalus Life Science’s financial results are finalized. In addition, these preliminary unaudited results are not a comprehensive statement of TriSalus Life Science’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, should not be viewed as a substitute for full, audited financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s results for any future period. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these preliminary unaudited results.

TriSalus Life Sciences expects to announce full-year 2025 financial results its during earnings conference call in March 2026.

(Press release, TriSalus Life Sciences, JAN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234662003])

Ono to Participate in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 12, 2026 Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TSE:4528) reported that Toichi Takino, President and COO, will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. PST / 2:15 p.m. EST.

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A live webcast of the event will be available here and accessible for 30 days following the presentation.

(Press release, Ono, JAN 12, 2026, View Source [SID1234662002])