On March 4, 2026 Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a patient-focused biopharmaceutical company advancing breakthrough therapies for diseases, reported the deployment of the OpenAI API to support IND-enabling development of HT-KIT, its orphan-designated therapy targeting rare and aggressive KIT-driven cancers.

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The OpenAI-powered API platform has been integrated into the HT-KIT development workflow to support preclinical data analysis, molecular modeling of KIT-driven pathways, and preparation of regulatory documentation ahead of IND submission.

HT-KIT results below have shown success in rare cancers

Potent gene-level target suppression: HT-KIT achieved >80% reduction of KIT mRNA/protein across in-vitro systems and in vivo models of systemic mastocytosis and GIST.

Favorable tolerability in early studies: No dose-limiting toxicities observed in the reported preclinical work to date.

Rapid anti-tumor activity: In xenograft models, statistically significant tumor-volume reduction by Day 8 was observed, accompanied by apoptotic signaling consistent with KIT pathway knock-down.

Bioanalytical readiness: GLP-validated bioanalytical methods completed to support pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and exposure-response analyses for IND.

HT-KIT is advancing toward Investigational New Drug (IND) submission and Phase 1 clinical evaluation.

HT-KIT has received Orphan Drug Designation and is designed to address cancers driven by KIT mutations, an area of significant unmet medical need.

"Hoth’s integration of OpenAI’s API supports execution of our IND-enabling strategy for HT-KIT as we advance toward Phase 1," said Robb Knie, Chief Executive Officer.

(Press release, Hoth Therapeutics, MAR 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234663260])

On March 4, 2026 Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) ("Akeso" or the "Company") reported that the latest long-term survival analysis data from the China pivotal registrational Phase II study (COMPASSION-03/AK104-201) of cadonilimab as a monotherapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (R/M CC) who have failed prior platinum-containing chemotherapy, were presented in a late-breaking oral presentation by Professor Wu Xiaohua from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, the Principal Investigator, at the 27th European Congress on Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO 2026).

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The long-term survival data of cadonilimab monotherapy in this patient population confirms cadonilimab’s ability to convert deep tumor remission into long-term disease control and survival benefits. This study provides clinically meaningful evidence to support its use in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer, offering patients a new therapeutic option that significantly improves survival outcomes.

Best Overall Response (BOR) Analysis Demonstrates Remarkable Survival Benefit

In the updated data presented at the ESGO Congress, with a median follow-up duration of 26.5 months, a BOR-stratified analysis was conducted in all 99 efficacy-evaluable patients. This analysis further quantified the strong correlation between the depth of tumor response and long-term survival benefit associated with cadonilimab treatment.

Among all subjects who achieved a complete response (CR), the median overall survival (OS) was not reached (NR), with a 24-month OS rate of up to 100.0% (nominal p = 0.0002). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was also not reached, with a 12-month PFS rate of 84.6% (nominal p < 0.0001).

In patients achieving partial response (PR), the median OS remained unreached (NR), with a 24-month OS rate of 63% (nominal p = 0.0002). The median PFS was 11.17 months, and the 12-month PFS rate was 47.3% (nominal p < 0.0001).

The median time to response (mTTR) in the CR patients was 1.84 months, comparable to that observed in the PR patients (1.87 months). The median duration of response (mDoR) in the CR patients was not reached and was significantly longer than that in the PR patients (nominal p = 0.035).

Cadonilimab Provides Sustained Long-Term Survival Benefit Irrespective of PD-L1 Expression Status

The COMPASSION-03 study enrolled more than 18% of patients with PD-L1 CPS < 1, and 36% of participants had received ≥2 prior lines of systemic therapy. Study findings demonstrated that cadonilimab monotherapy achieved a median OS of 17.5 months (11.4, NE).

Updated long-term follow-up data showed durable survival benefit across the overall population, including both PD-L1 positive and PD-L1 negative patients, with 18-month and 24-month OS rates of 47.8% and 40.9%, respectively.

The Rising Value of a Foundational IO 2.0 Backbone

Cadonilimab, the world’s first approved cancer immunotherapy bispecific antibody that was commercially launched in 2022, has demonstrated its breakthrough clinical value across a large number of approved indications and Phase III trials. Cadonilimab addresses critical clinical gaps by benefiting cancer patients across all levels of PD-L1 expressions, earning strong recognition from clinicians and patients. Importantly, cadonilimab shows superior efficacy versus current standard of care in challenging settings like immunotherapy-resistant tumors and cold tumors that had limited response to PD-1/L1 agents.

This differentiated profile stems from its dual targeting of PD-1 and CTLA-4 with synergistic anti-tumor activity. This novel mechanism preserves the therapeutic benefits of both targets while overcoming their individual limitations. Specifically, the toxicity that restricts the clinical utility of current CTLA-4 monotherapy agents, and the poor response to PD-1/L1 agents in PD-L1 low/negative populations.

Cadonilimab is now approved for three indications in China: first-line gastric cancer, first-line cervical cancer, and recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer. It is under evaluation in 11 registrational/Phase III studies across major first-line tumor indications, various cold tumors, and IO-resistant settings, including a global Phase III trial in first-line gastric cancer and a global registrational trial in IO-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.

While advancing cadonilimab’s global clinical development independently, Akeso remains committed to open collaboration, integrating premier worldwide resources to accelerate international market access and benefit cancer patients worldwide.

(Press release, Akeso Biopharma, MAR 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234663259])

On March 4, 2026 Rezolute, Inc. (Nasdaq: RZLT) ("Rezolute" or the "Company"), a late-stage rare disease company focused on treating hypoglycemia caused by all forms of hyperinsulinism (HI), reported that management will participate in the Citizens Life Sciences Conference, taking place March 10-11, 2026, in Miami, FL.

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Management will be participating in one-on-one investor meetings throughout the conference. Investors interested in scheduling a meeting with the Rezolute management team should contact their Citizens representative.

(Press release, Rezolute, MAR 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234663257])

On March 4, 2026 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases, reported results from its Phase IIa open-label study evaluating namodenoson in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who had progressed following prior systemic therapies.

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The study met its primary endpoint, which was safety, demonstrating that namodenoson was very well tolerated in this heavily pretreated patient population. No new safety signals were identified, and the safety profile was consistent with the known clinical experience of namodenoson in other oncological diseases.

The study enrolled 20 patients with advanced PDAC who had received one or more prior lines of therapy. Patients represented a high-risk population, including individuals with varying performance status and advanced metastatic disease.

Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Survival follow-up remains ongoing, with 1/3 of patients currently alive at the time of data cut-off. As follow-up continues, survival outcomes are expected to further mature and will be announced during upcoming scientific meetings.

"The favorable safety profile observed in this difficult-to-treat population supports continued clinical evaluation of namodenoson," Prof. Salomon Stemmer, a renowned oncologist and key opinion leader at the Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center, Israel. "We are continuing to monitor survival outcomes as data mature."

Namodenoson is a highly selective A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) agonist, which has shown a compelling safety profile and demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical pancreatic cancer models. The drug is also being evaluated in clinical trials for advanced liver cancer.

Namodenoson has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

(Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAR 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234663256])

On March 4, 2026 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF) ("Can-Fite" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small-molecule drugs targeting oncological and inflammatory diseases, reported the entry into a definitive agreement for the immediate exercise of certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 795,869 American Depositary Shares (ADSs), having an exercise price of $9.34 per ADS, issued by Can-Fite in July 2025, at a reduced exercise price of $5.00 per ADS. The ADSs representing ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-288890). The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about March 5, 2026, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

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H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

In consideration for the immediate exercise of the warrants for cash, Can-Fite will issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to 1,591,738 ADSs. The new warrants will have an exercise price of $5.00 per ADS, will be immediately exercisable until the twenty-four month anniversary of the effective date of the Resale Registration Statement.

The gross proceeds to Can-Fite from the exercise of the warrants are expected to be approximately $4.0 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for funding research and development and clinical trials and for other working capital and general corporate purposes.

The new warrants described above were offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, along with the ADSs issuable upon exercise, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. Can-Fite has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of ADSs issuable upon exercise of the new warrants (the "Resale Registration Statement").

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

(Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAR 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234663255])