On January 8, 2026 Acuitas Therapeutics, the global leader in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics, reported that it has acquired a majority stake in RNA Technologies & Therapeutics (RNA T&T), a company specializing in the design, optimization and manufacture of high-quality RNA constructs. This investment will support the growth and development of RNA T&T, allowing it to further develop and scale its operations.

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Clinical development of RNA therapeutics requires optimization of both the mRNA payload and the LNP carrier to maximize efficacy and safety. An integrated approach for these two key components derisks clinical programs and supports accelerated availability to patients in need.

While the companies will continue to operate independently, this investment will give partners of each company streamlined access to complementary world-class RNA optimization and manufacturing know-how and LNP delivery expertise. By integrating these capabilities, partners can take a more holistic approach to RNA-LNP therapeutics, helping to reduce development complexity, accelerate clinical timelines and preemptively mitigate risk across multiple programs.

"As genetic medicines expand into more complex areas such as personalized therapies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are seeking efficient access to RNA and LNP design and engineering expertise," said Dr. Thomas Madden, CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics. "Having worked extensively with RNA T&T over the last number of years, we are impressed with their scientific approach and technical know-how, which brings a level of precision and consistency that is critical in RNA drug development. Ultimately, this investment gives our partners a coordinated way to engage experts from both companies as they develop next-generation RNA-LNP therapies."

"The synergy between our organizations is a natural result of our shared commitment to scientific integrity and technical excellence," said Pierrino Torbey, Board Member and interim CEO of RNA T&T. "Acuitas is the ideal partner for our next phase of growth, as both companies are deeply rooted in science and equally committed to advance the next generation of RNA-LNP medicines. Acuitas has collaborated with RNA T&T since its inception, and together the two companies have collaborated at both the research and clinical level. This investment deepens the relationship between Acuitas and RNA T&T, while also allowing the latter to grow its operational footprint, further develop its proprietary algorithmic platform for RNA sequence optimization and expand its capabilities in small-batch GMP-grade production of personalized and n-of-few therapies."

"From the beginning, it was clear that both teams are aligned in scientific ethos and in their approach to advancing RNA-LNP therapeutics," said RNA T&T co-founder and Scientific Advisor Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Ph.D., who provided the RNA design for the first personalized CRISPR therapy administered to baby KJ Muldoon. "This investment strengthens RNA T&T’s ability to support highly complex and personalized RNA programs, while allowing partners to benefit from seamless access to select the right LNP delivery vehicle from Acuitas’ extensive portfolio of clinically validated LNP."

(Press release, Acuitas Therapeutics, JAN 8, 2026, View Source [SID1234661875])

On January 8, 2026 Noetik, an AI-native biotech company pioneering self-supervised machine learning and high-throughput spatial data to develop next-generation cancer therapeutics, reported a five-year strategic collaboration and AI model licensing agreement with GSK.

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The partnership provides GSK’s AI and Therapeutics teams with a direct, non-exclusive license to access Noetik’s OCTO-VC virtual cell foundation models in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The collaboration combines GSK’s leadership in AI and tumor immunology with Noetik’s industry-first virtual cell simulation technology to accelerate the development of novel medicines. Additionally, the companies will collaborate to generate bespoke human spatial datasets, applying human-first biological simulation to areas of strategic interest.

Noetik’s platform is powered by the largest spatial biology dataset in oncology, specifically engineered to train self supervised AI. Comprising hundreds of millions of spatially resolved human cells, this data powers Noetik’s virtual cell foundation models capable of simulating gene expression, cell states, and tumor-immune interactions. "Simulation of patient biology with world models like OCTO-VC will drive the next wave of discovery and therapeutic development. These models let us go beyond the limited data available from any one patient to ask ‘What if?’ questions about patient genes, proteins, cells, and tissue," said Daniel Bear, Ph.D, Vice President of AI at Noetik.

"We built Noetik to move the industry from probabilistic ‘shots on goal’ to deterministic engineering of cancer drugs," said Ron Alfa, M.D., Ph.D., CEO & Co-Founder of Noetik. "This agreement validates a new paradigm in biotech: the licensing of human foundation models. GSK is now equipped with one of the most extensive oncology multimodal spatial training sets in existence, allowing them to query tumor biology with a level of resolution that was previously impossible. We are proud to partner with their team to find better medicines, faster."

Kim Branson, SVP Global Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at GSK added: "Foundation models are only as good as the underlying training data they are built upon. Noetik’s approach to generating high-quality spatial data at scale to train foundation models is novel. Integration of these models in GSK’s drug discovery and development process has the potential to deepen our understanding of biology and support our development of novel medicines."

Under the terms of the agreement, GSK receives a non-exclusive license to Noetik’s OCTO-VC foundation models in NSCLC and CRC. This collaboration includes $50 million in upfront capital and near-term milestones. Additionally, the deal establishes a subscription-based framework, with GSK paying annual licensing fees to access the models, validating Noetik’s platform as a scalable, revenue-generating engine.

"This deal defines a new asset class in biotech," said Shafique Virani, M.D., Chief Business Officer of Noetik. "We are moving the industry from AI services collaborations to licensing AI infrastructure. To our knowledge, this is among the first and largest transactions monetizing a biological foundation model as a scalable enterprise asset."

This partnership reflects a growing industry shift toward AI-guided discovery and development frameworks that integrate real human biology, enabling improved translation and more confident therapeutic development.

(Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, JAN 8, 2026, View Source [SID1234661874])

On January 8, 2026 RefleXion Medical, an external-beam theranostic oncology company, reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared its next generation, autonomously-guided oncology platform, the RefleXion X2 with SCINTIX therapy, for the treatment of primary and metastatic lung and bone tumors.

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The X2 platform delivers a 20-fold increase in positron emissions tomography (PET) sensitivity, significantly increasing the biological signal for tumor detection. This increased sensitivity aims to expand the number of patients eligible for SCINTIX therapy.

"Clinical outcomes data1 from our first-generation platform showed that SCINTIX biology-guided radiotherapy enables tumors to autonomously direct their own treatment," said Sam Mazin, Ph.D., CTO and co-founder of RefleXion. "The goal of the X2 platform is to scale applicability of SCINTIX therapy to a broader patient population, including those with early-stage or metastatic disease."

The key innovation of the X2 platform is its wide field-of-view PET detector technology, which quadruples the imaging field of view to generate sharper images with less noise and improve visualization of moving tumors. The X2 expands the field of view of the first-generation system from 5 to 20 centimeters, expanding autonomous delivery of SCINTIX therapy to a much larger area.

"We have effectively expanded the ‘eyes’ of the machine to generate more real time data over a larger portion of the patient’s anatomy, thereby covering the expected range of tumor motion during treatment," continued Mazin.

Design advancements also allow upgrades across the existing installed base, enabling current RefleXion customers to transition to the full capabilities of the new X2 platform with minimal disruption.

The company will leverage its participation in the 44th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to be held Jan. 12-15 in San Francisco to discuss the newly cleared X2 platform and other commercialization milestones with select investors.

(Press release, RefleXion, JAN 8, 2026, View Source [SID1234661873])

On January 8, 2026 Enodia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing novel small-molecule therapies for targeted protein degradation at the point of synthesis, reported it has raised €20.7 million (US$25 million) in a Seed financing. The round was co-led by Elaia, Pfizer Ventures and Bpifrance, as part of the InnoBio investment strategy, with participation from Wallonie Entreprendre, Argobio Studio, MACSF, The Institut Pasteur, InvestSud, Sambrinvest and Mission BioCapital.

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Enodia’s proprietary discovery platform, built on Institut Pasteur science, uses machine learning to selectively modulate the SEC61 translocon, where secreted and transmembrane proteins are directed into the secretory pathway at the point of synthesis. This enables intervention upstream of disease, without compromising vital physiological functions, and before damage occurs. Leveraging a large chemical space spanning several families of well-characterized inhibitors, together with a tailored library of signal-peptide cell lines, the company integrates machine-learning-driven selectivity, proteomics-based secretome analysis and structural validation to guide rational drug design. This innovative strategy allows Enodia to unlock previously undruggable secreted and membrane protein targets to treat high-unmet-need conditions.

"We are grateful for the strong support and confidence from our investors, which reflects their conviction in our scientific approach and team," said Yves Ribeill, Chief Executive Officer of Enodia Therapeutics. "This financing supports the advancement of our small-molecule approach to modulating the SEC61 translocon, with machine learning enabling greater selectivity in targeted protein degradation than previous approaches. Over the next year, we plan to progress our lead program toward preclinical candidate selection, thereby establishing a key value inflection point and the foundation for subsequent IND-enabling development."

Florian Denis, Partner at Elaia, commented: "Enodia’s rational, proteomics-enabled drug design approach provides strong confidence in the team’s ability to repeatedly translate complex SEC61 biology into truly differentiated drug candidates, supported by a highly experienced management team. Beyond individual programs, the platform unlocks exceptionally deep and expandable therapeutic opportunities across a broad range of disease areas, creating significant long-term pipeline and partnering potential."

"Our investment reflects strong interest in Enodia’s differentiated approach addressing disease by controlling protein secretion and enabling precise targeting of pathogenic proteins," said Irena Melnikova, Partner at Pfizer Ventures. "We are pleased to support Enodia’s efforts to rapidly advance a broad pipeline of SEC61-targeted small-molecule medicines across inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders, and beyond."

Enodia Therapeutics was created by Argobio Studio and The Institut Pasteur, with early platform and translational validation further supported by the Mission BioCapital Platinum Program.

"Enodia is tackling a significant unmet medical need by targeting the secretion pathway at the initiation of protein synthesis," said Olivier Martinez, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance. "Built on strong scientific foundations from the Institut Pasteur and further developed within France’s Argobio ecosystem, the company’s selective approach to pathogenic secreted and membrane-associated proteins illustrates the type of rigorous, translational innovation we want to support."

Valentin Tonnel, Investment Manager, WE Venture Life Sciences on behalf of the Walloon public investor consortium: "This investment in Enodia reflects WE Venture Life Sciences’ strategy to support breakthrough biology at a very early stage, in close collaboration with leading specialized investors. Enodia’s SEC61 platform, selected by Argobio, illustrates how cutting-edge scientific discoveries can be translated into transformative therapeutic solutions. We are pleased to contribute to the development of this program alongside our partners Sambrinvest and InvestSud within the Walloon region, where a mature life sciences ecosystem offers strong conditions for successful execution."

(Press release, Enodia Therapeutics, JAN 8, 2026, View Source [SID1234661872])

On January 8, 2026 Biomunex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of next generation immunotherapies based on the discovery and development of bispecific and multispecific antibodies, today announces its participation at the 11th Annual Oncology Innovation Forum, organized by Sachs Associates, on the 10th of January at the Marines’ Memorial Club in San Francisco (USA).

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The 2026 Oncology Innovation Forum programme is designed to discuss key industry trends and milestones; it will feature high-level keynotes and panel discussions covering the latest trends in Pharma and Biotech business development, modalities, targets, and investment. Biomunex’s invitation highlights the company’s commitment to innovative therapeutic approaches in oncology.

Invited for an oral communication, Dr. Simon Plyte, Biomunex CSO (Chief Scientific Officer), will present the Company and its unique and highly differentiated MAIT engager Platform. MAIT engagers are expected to overcome some of the limitations of current CD3+ TCEs, including activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and cytokine release syndrome, serious side effects that are difficult to manage for cancer patients.

MAIT engagers, that are as potent as classical CD3+ TCE, have the potential to bring significantly improved safety, providing a larger therapeutic window in solid tumor types. Moreover, MAIT engagers can effectively induce the "SPARK effect" (tumor cytotoxicity with induced secondary immune response), enabling long-term durable anti-cancer response.

Biomunex is notably developing a portfolio of MAIT engager drug candidates, a new therapeutic class in immuno-oncology, that are highly differentiated from classical CD3+ TCEs. MAIT engagers are bispecific antibodies that identify, mobilize and bridge MAIT cells (Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells), present in all body and particularly in mucosal and barrier tissues, to cancer cells, resulting in MAIT cell activation and directed killing of tumors.

MAIT engagers could become a breakthrough approach in the treatment of many cancers, particularly in solid tumors, significantly widening the therapeutic window.

Based on the proprietary "Plug-and-Play" BiXAb bispecific antibody platform that enables the generation of breakthrough immunotherapies faster than most other bispecific platforms in the field and with excellent drug-like properties and high industrial yield, the Biomunex’ MAIT engager programmes will pave the way for a series of innovative new immunotherapeutics for the treatment of several cancers.

Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard, Biomunex’s founder and President, concludes: "Our presentation during the 11th Annual Oncology Innovation Forum will enable us to illustrate the differentiation of MAIT engagers and how this innovative and highly promising approach for the treatment of cancer could potentially redefine the standard of care for solid tumors."

Details about Biomunex’ presentations at 11th Annual Oncology Innovation Forum

Oral presentation:
Saturday 10th January 2026, 2:55 PST
Room: Heritage

Marines’ Memorial Club, San Francisco, USA