On May 30, 2025 Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO) reported that Vish Seshadri, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, and Madhav Vasanthavada, Ph.D., Chief Commercial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 11:40 a.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Abeona Therapeutics, MAY 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234653509]).

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A live webcast of the fireside chat can be accessed on the Investors section of the Abeona website under "Events" at View Source The webcast will be archived for 30 days.

On May 29, 2025 Crescent Biopharma, Inc. ("Crescent"), a private biotechnology company developing novel precision-engineered molecules targeting validated biology to advance care for patients with solid tumors, reported that management is scheduled to present at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11:05 a.m. ET (Press release, Crescent Biopharma, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234655974]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available at View Source, and an archived replay will be accessible for 90 days following the event.

In October 2024, Crescent entered into an acquisition agreement with GlycoMimetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLYC). Following closing, which is anticipated in the second quarter of 2025, the combined company will operate under the name Crescent Biopharma and advance Crescent’s portfolio of precision-engineered molecules to improve outcomes for patients with solid tumors.

On May 29, 2025 Voltron Therapeutics, Inc., a Lucius Partners portfolio company, reported that data from Study VTX-IO-004 demonstrated clear proof-of concept for the self-assembling therapeutic, VTX-0P4, in the treatment of cancers over-expressing prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) (Press release, Voltron Therapeutics, MAY 29, 2025, https://voltrontx.com/lucius-partners-portfolio-company-voltron-therapeutics-inc-announces-completion-of-a-trial-protocol-to-study-its-self-assembling-vaccine-to-target-prostate-stem-cell-antigen/ [SID1234654549]).

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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VTX-0P4 is a novel, modular, protein-based therapy candidate designed to provide a specific therapeutic T cell mediated immunogenic response to PSCA-expressing tumors. Prior VTX-0P4 immunogenicity studies demonstrated robust overall antigen-specific T cell responses for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations, in a murine model. PSCA is a critical marker in several primary cancers, including bladder, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

The primary objective of study VTX-IO-004 was to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of VTX-0P4 in a well-established mouse model utilizing PSCA-expressing TRAMP-C2 (T-C2) tumors. A key secondary objective was to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of VTX-0P4 in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor (CPI). Treatment with VTX-0P4 induced robust, statistically significant antigen specific cellular immune responses and anti-tumor effects compared to controls. In addition, the combination of VTX-0P4 with a CPI demonstrated statistically highly significant additive efficacy benefit over VTX-0P4 or a CPI as monotherapy. This study provides further evidence supporting the utility of Voltron’s modular immunotherapeutic platform, demonstrating its ability to enhance targeted oncologic immune responses when combined with a well-established tumor associated antigen and a CPI.

These results add important potential indications to Voltron’s growing pipeline which includes HPV positive cervical and head and neck cancers.

Results of the study demonstrated:

Improved Overall Survival: VTX-0P4 + anti-mPD-1 had a highly significant, positive survival effect in the TC-1 tumor injected mice versus anti-mPD1 alone
Tumor volume reduction: VTX-0P4 + PD-1 significantly slowed/reduced growth in T-C2 tumor volume
Dose response: there was a clear dose-response to the combination which matched the previously reported immunogenicity results (i.e., the T cells are getting to their target)
Safety Profile: the SAV construct was well tolerated with no observed reactogenicity.
Dr. Mark Poznansky, a Scientific Founder of Voltron Therapeutics Inc and Director, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, MGH commented: "These data clearly demonstrate that this novel tumor targeting platform, when combined with a PD-1 inhibitor, significantly controlled tumor growth and augmented survival versus VTX-0P4 or a CPI alone. Additionally, these results are significant because it has now been shown that an effective cell mediated response against a self antigen, namely PSCA, can be generated by VTX-OP4. This supports the view that this novel self-assembling immunotherapy could be broadly applicable to a wide variety of cancers that are known to express tumor specific antigens."

Patrick J. Gallagher, Voltron’s Chief Executive Officer stated, "The results of this rigorously designed study highlight the great promise of Voltron’s platform technology. The VTX-0P4 responses, as measured by survival and tumor volume, were significantly enhanced when combined with a CPI / PD-1. Physiologically this makes sense. As the anti-mPD-1 removes the tumor’s ability to ‘escape’ the immune system, it creates a tumor microenvironment (TME) that’s more accessible to classic T cell-specific antitumor effects. Our approach activates and significantly increases the percentage of PSCA-specific antitumor T cells seeking to enter the TME, thus complementing the PD-1 inhibition mechanism of action."

This important research and development milestone further demonstrates and supports the therapy platform’s unique capabilities: utility in driving efficacy in combination therapy, development speed, target/pathogen flexibility and significant engagement of the immune system. This work with a full-length protein dramatically expands the breadth of potential value/solutions that the platform could offer in the oncology and infectious disease settings.

"Checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies have dramatically improved outcomes for many cancer patients. Nonetheless there are still significant opportunities to improve patient outcomes through combination therapies with complimentary mechanisms," said James Ahern, Managing Partner of Laidlaw & Company and founder of Lucius Partners. "Our safety profile and compelling efficacy data could make us an ideal addition to current treatment algorithms. The Voltron team will continue to leverage our highly flexible platform to create new solutions for clinicians and patients and value for our shareholders."

On May 29, 2025 Estrella Immunopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESLA) ("Estrella" or the "Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing CD19 and CD22-targeted ARTEMIS T-cell therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the second cohort of its dose escalation study of Phase I/II STARLIGHT-1 trial for EB103, a CD19-redirected ARTEMIS T-cell therapy to treat patients with Advanced B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (NHL) (Press release, Estrella Biopharma, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653505]).

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The second cohort will evaluate EB103 at a higher dose level following a review of safety data from the first dose cohort. As previously announced, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) or treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were observed in the first cohort. The initiation of dosing in the second cohort reflects steady progress in Estrella’s mission to complete Phase I of STARLIGHT-1.

"We are excited to announce another important milestone in our STARLIGHT-1 trial and are encouraged by the favorable safety profile and the complete response observed in the first cohort," said Cheng Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Estrella. "EB103 has a significant potential to address key limitations of traditional CAR-T therapies by mitigating safety risks and expanding accessibility to high-risk patient groups, including those with HIV-associated lymphoma and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma – conditions that are excluded from existing CAR-T options. We look forward to evaluating EB103 at higher doses and delivering the treatments to patients soon."

About EB103

EB103, a T-cell therapy, also referred to as Estrella’s "CD19-Redirected ARTEMIS T-Cell Therapy," utilizes ARTEMIS technology licensed from Eureka Therapeutics, Inc. ("Eureka"), Estrella’s parent company. Unlike a traditional CAR-T cell, the unique design of an ARTEMIS T-Cell, like EB103 T-cell, allows it to be activated and regulated upon engagement with cancer targets that use a cellular mechanism more closely resembling the one from an endogenous T-cell receptor. Once infused, EB103 T-cells seek out CD19-positive cancer cells, bind to these cells, and destroy them.

On May 29, 2025 Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a privately-owned, Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company aiming to establish tomorrow’s standard-of-care to cure cancer and infectious diseases, reported its upcoming contributions to the 2025 Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Meeting in Chicago, Illinois (Press release, Debiopharm, MAY 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234653504]).

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The contributions feature three clinical poster presentations and one translational research abstract publication, highlighting Debio 0123’s potential across solid tumors. Among them is new data from the Debio 0123-SCLC-104 trial in small-cell lung cancer, offering insights into the candidate’s therapeutic potential in this difficult-to-treat disease. A Trial in Progress (TiP) poster from the investigator-initiated MedSir study—co-authored by Debiopharm—will present the design and methodology of the study investigating the combination of Debio 0123 with Trodelvy in breast cancer patients. In parallel, a separate TiP poster for the Debio 0123-102 monotherapy study will outline the framework and objectives of the ongoing dose expansion phase.

"Presenting our latest data on Debio 0123 at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025 is a proud milestone for our team," said Angela Zubel, Chief Development Officer at Debiopharm. "This research highlights the promise of WEE1 inhibition as a precision strategy to target the vulnerabilities of aggressive cancers. Our goal is to push the boundaries of innovation to bring transformative therapies to patients who urgently need new options."

Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology

ASCO 2025 Contribution

Title

Presenter/Author

Abstract #e15127

*Publication only

In silico evaluation of the interaction of P-gp and 3A4 substrates with the WEE1 inhibitor Debio 0123 and clinical application in the Debio 0123-104 combination trial with carboplatin and etoposide.

Anne Bellon, PhD, PharmD

Debiopharm

Abstract #TPS3172

Poster Bd #: 479b

Phase IB/II study to evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy of the WEE1 inhibitor Debio 0123 in combination with sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in triple-negative or hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/HER2-negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer (ABC): The WIN-B study.

Maria Gion, MD, PhD

Medical Oncologist at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital

*Medsir and Debiopharm

Session Title: Gynecologic Cancer

ASCO 2025 Contribution

Title

Presenter/Author

Abstract #TPS5634

Poster Bd #: 524a

Debio 0123, a highly selective WEE1 inhibitor in adult patients with advanced solid tumors: A phase 1 dose escalation and expansion monotherapy study.

Maria M. Rubinstein, MD

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Session Title: Lung Cancer—Non–Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers

ASCO 2025 Contribution

Title

Presenter/Author

Abstract #8098

Poster Bd #: 219

Debio 0123, a highly selective WEE1 inhibitor, in combination with carboplatin (C) and etoposide (E), in patients (pts) with recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Determination of recommended dose (RD) from a phase 1 escalation.

Valentina Gambardella, MD, PhD

Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínico Universitario, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

About DNA-Damage Repair (DDR)

When cells have damaged DNA, they need to undergo a repair process called DDR to be able to survive. Cancer cells rely heavily on DDR as they divide and grow uncontrollably. Inhibition of DDR, particularly in combination with other anticancer agents, prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, which ultimately activates a self-destruction program in cancer cells. DDR inhibitors such as Debiopharm’s WEE1 inhibitor Debio 0123 are being tested in clinical and preclinical studies.

Debiopharm’s commitment to patients

Debiopharm aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs primarily in oncology and bacterial infections. Bridging the gap between disruptive discovery products and real-world patient reach, we identify high-potential compounds and technologies for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy, and then hand stewardship to large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.