Molecular Partners to Hold Three Poster Presentations at AACR 2026

On March 18, 2026 Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN; NASDAQ: MOLN), a clinical-stage biotech company developing a novel class of custom-built protein drugs known as DARPin therapeutics ("Molecular Partners" or the "Company"), reported it will present three posters at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place April 17-22 in San Diego, California, USA.

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Details of the presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026:

Logic-gated Switch-DARPin T cell engager with CD2 co-stimulation for improved safety and efficacy in MSLN and EpCAM co-expressing ovarian cancer
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: T Cell Engagers 1
Session Start: 4/20/2026 9:00 AM PT
Session End: 4/20/2026 12:00 PM PT
Location: Poster Section 10
Poster Board Number: 16
Poster Number: 1624

Logic-gated Switch-DARPin–based immune cell engagers guided by data-driven tumor-antigen profiling: A computational workflow for the development of cancer immunotherapies
Session Category: Bioinformatics / Computational Biology / Systems Biology / Convergent Science
Session Title: Application of Bioinformatics to Cancer Biology 3
Session Start: 4/20/2026 2:00 PM PT
Session End: 4/20/2026 5:00 PM PT
Location: Poster Section 1
Poster Board Number: 16
Poster Number: 2691

Molecular characteristics of MP0712, a clinical stage ²¹²Pb-based Radio-DARPin candidate for targeted anti-DLL3 radiotherapy of small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals and Combination Strategies in Cancer Therapy
Session Start: 4/22/2026 9:00 AM PT
Session End: 4/22/2026 12:00 PM PT
Location: Poster Section 17
Poster Board Number: 16
Poster Number: 7197

About Radio-DARPins
Molecular Partners’ Radio-DARPins are designed as ideal vectors for precise delivery of potent alpha-emitting isotopes to tumor lesions and have the potential to unlock a broad range of tumor targets for targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Building on the DARPins’ unique properties, Molecular Partners has developed a proprietary Radio-DARPin platform to address historic limitations of radioligand therapy, such as kidney accumulation and toxicity, and suboptimal tumor uptake. Molecular Partners’ Radio-DARPins addresses these limitations through half-life extension technologies and surface engineering approaches, while preserving the advantages of the small protein format.

(Press release, Molecular Partners, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663706])

CoRegen, Inc. Publishes Promising New Data Highlighting SRC-3 Engineered Regulatory T Cells as New Immunotherapy Platform

On March 17, 2026 CoRegen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company pursuing novel treatments for patients impacted by some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, reported the publication of research conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine describing how the disruption of steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) expression in regulatory T cells (Treg cells) can reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment and enable the immune system to eliminate multiple solid tumors. The article, titled, "Steroid receptor coactivator 3-deficient regulatory T cells eradicate multiple solid tumors in syngeneic mouse models," was published in the open access, peer-reviewed journal, OncoImmunology. One of the lead researchers, Sang Jun Han, PhD, Director of Lab Research, CoRegen, describes how selectively eliminating SRC-3 in Treg cells reprograms their function, shifting them from immunosuppressive regulators to promoters of anti-tumor immunity without inducing immune-related toxicities, a finding demonstrated across multiple preclinical tumor models including breast cancer, glioblastoma, melanoma, and lung cancer.

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The full paper can be accessed here.

SRC-3 co-regulates cell behavior that controls immune response. When knocked out, the expression of several genes involved in Treg signaling is altered, ultimately enhancing the immune system’s ability to combat cancer without causing pathological autoimmune reactions. This unique mechanism of action allows immune effector cells to recognize, attack, and kill cancer by allowing CD8+, CD4+ and NK tumor-killing effector cells to infiltrate into tumors. The SRC-3 engineered Treg cells block pathogenic tumor-protective transcriptional programs in the Treg cell, thereby altering the tumor microenvironment in a way that supports tumor destruction by the patient’s own immune system.

"We are delighted to have these findings that support our SRC-3 technology published in such a well-respected journal," said Suneet Varma, Chairman of the Board, CoRegen. "This research highlights a powerful new way to harness the immune system against cancer by reprogramming Treg cells so that tumors cannot evade immune attack. If these findings translate to patients, engineering SRC-3 disrupted Treg cells could represent a watershed moment for therapies capable of eradicating multiple, difficult-to-treat cancers while avoiding many of the immune-related side effects seen with current immunotherapies."

David Lonard, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of CoRegen and Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology at the Baylor College of Medicine, added, "This publication provides important proof-of-concept data showing that selectively targeting SRC-3 in Treg cells can reprogram the tumor microenvironment to drive potent anti-tumor activity. The eradication and durable immune protection observed across multiple solid tumor models strongly support the translational potential of CoRegen’s lead program."

CoRegen remains on track to submit an investigational new drug application (IND) for its lead candidate in Spring 2026 and initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial thereafter.

(Press release, CoRegen, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663680])

iDEL Therapeutics Launches with €9 Million Seed Financing Led by BiomedVC to Advance Oncology Pipeline Based on Direct Cytosolic Transfer Technology

On March 17, 2026 iDEL Therapeutics reported the closing of a EUR 9 million seed financing, establishing its operations and leadership team. The company is pioneering a pipeline of cancer therapeutics that are delivered directly into the cytosol of tumor cells. iDEL’s new approach is compatible with both large and small molecules and aims to unlock historically undruggable intracellular targets and broaden therapeutic windows across cancer indications. The financing was led by BiomedVC with participation from NRW.Venture, Gründerfonds Ruhr and the KHAN Technology Transfer Fund II.

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The proceeds will be used to advance iDEL Therapeutics’ two proprietary lead programs towards clinical evaluation. Leveraging different modalities with the potential to address a range of solid tumors, the pipeline candidates are based on the company’s proprietary shuttling technology. This pan-cancer platform enables evasion of endosomal entrapment and prevents subsequent degradation of the transported compound, a factor that can impair drug delivery and treatment efficacy, particularly for large molecules such as antibodies and their derivatives.

"iDEL Therapeutics’ concept to unlock new cancer treatments represents an exciting new opportunity with the potential to significantly impact the oncology landscape," said Marcus Kostka, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of iDEL Therapeutics. "Our technology’s broad applicability to a range of drug classes harbors the potential to improve treatment outcomes for patients living with a range of high-need cancer indications. Together with the leadership team, I look forward to expanding our preclinical proof-of-concept data, advancing our lead candidates toward the clinic and exploring additional possibilities for improved cancer treatments."

Concurrent with the financing, iDEL Therapeutics announced its leadership team which combines decades of expertise in biopharma, drug development and company building.

"Despite continuous advancements and a deeper understanding of cancer in our industry, current treatment options still face challenges related to on-target specificity and achieving a durable anti-tumor effect," said Aristotelis Nastos, PhD, Managing Partner and Investment Director at BiomedVC. "We believe that iDEL Therapeutics’ differentiated strategy has the potential to address these limitations by improving intracellular delivery, increasing target engagement and prolonging tumor retention. With an exceptional leadership team and a cutting-edge technology, the company is well positioned to advance this new therapeutic approach to deliver meaningful clinical benefit for cancer patients, and we fully support the team on this journey."

(Press release, iDEL Therapeutics, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663679])

Avacta Announces Preclinical and Translational Presentations of pre|CISION® Platform Candidates at the 2026 AACR Annual Conference

On March 17, 2026 Avacta Therapeutics (AIM: AVCT, "the Company", "Avacta"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing pre|CISION, a tumor-activated oncology delivery platform, reported it will deliver two presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place from 17 April 2026 to 22 April 2026 in San Diego, California, USA.

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Details of the two presentations:

Title: AVA6103 is a FAP-enabled pre|CISION peptide-drug conjugate delivering sustained release of exatecan in the tumor microenvironment with potent antitumor activity

Authors: Curtis Rink, Tom Clough, Ellen Watts, Folake Orafidiya, Marine Houée, Sophie Brown, Victoria Juskaite, Gezim Lahu, Ruairidh Edwards, Karen Campbell, Dave Liebowitz, David Jones, Michelle Morrow, Francis Wilson

Poster number and Location: 5846, Section 17, Board 15
Session: Tumor Microenvironment, Multi-specifics, and Immunomodulation
Section: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Timing: Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 2:00-5:00pm PDT

Title: Characterization and translational development of novel pre|CISION technology compounds delivering complementary dual payloads to the tumor microenvironment following FAP cleavage

Authors: Victoria Juskaite, Tom Clough, Ellen Watts , Alexa Kennedy, Iva Zlatareva, Folake Orafidiya, Hanna Buist, Jannah Jeon, Greg Billenness, Douglas Sammon, Sophie Brown, Curtis Rink , Ruairidh Edwards, Vidicha Chunilal, Manuel Pinto, Dave Liebowitz, Francis Wilson, Michelle Morrow, David Jones

Poster number and Location: 5656, Section 10, Board 26
Session: Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Linker Engineering 4
Section: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Timing: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 2:00-5:00pm PDT

(Press release, Avacta Life Sciences, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663678])

Liminatus Pharma Announces Planned Phase 1 Clinical Trial of IBA101, a Next-Generation CD47 Blocking Antibody

On March 17, 2026 Liminatus reported plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating IBA101, a next-generation CD47-blocking monoclonal antibody designed to engage innate immune pathways and complement established immuno-oncology therapies.

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IBA101 is engineered to target the CD47 "don’t-eat-me" signal, a mechanism that enables tumor cells to evade innate immune surveillance. By enhancing macrophage-mediated tumor clearance and antigen presentation, IBA101 is designed to work alongside PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, which remain the backbone of treatment across multiple solid tumor indications.

The planned Phase 1 study is designed as a seamless clinical program, beginning with monotherapy dose escalation to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, followed by combination cohorts with PD-1/PD-L1 therapies within the same protocol. This approach is intended to efficiently generate early clinical and translational insights while supporting disciplined dose selection for future development.

Lung cancer has been selected as the initial focus of the Phase 1 program, reflecting the Widespread use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in current treatment paradigms and the ongoing need to improve depth and durability of patient responses.

The trial is planned to be conducted under the leadership of Dr. Se-Hoon Lee, a recognized expert in immuno-oncology clinical research. The study will incorporate translational analyses aimed at characterizing immune activity and identifying biological features associated with clinical benefit.

The company anticipates engaging with regulatory authorities as part of its clinical development planning and is targeting readiness to advance the program following completion of required manufacturing, nonclinical, and regulatory preparation activities.

(Press release, Liminatus Pharma, MAR 17, 2026, View Source [SID1234663677])