InnoCare Announces Approval of Clinical Trial of Novel CDH7 targeted ADC ICP-B208 in China

On May 6, 2026 InnoCare Pharma (HKEX: 9969; SSE: 688428), a leading biopharmaceutical company focusing on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a clinical trial of its novel CDH17 targeted ADC, ICP-B208.

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CDH17 is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein that plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Its tumor-restricted expression and functional role in cancer biology make CDH17 an attractive and differentiated target for ADC therapy, which can be developed for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and biliary tract cancer. Currently, there are no approved CDH17 targeted ADCs globally.

ICP-B208 is a novel ADC comprising a humanized anti-CDH17 monoclonal antibody conjugated to a potent, in-house developed payload via a protease-cleavable linker. This design enables significantly enhanced tumor-killing effects with improved stability and safety. Preclinical studies show that ICP-B208 demonstrates good anti-tumor activity even in CDH17-low tumors, and improved cell killing activity compared to similar drugs.

ICP-B208 is the second novel ADC to enter into clinical development by the Company’s in-house developed ADC platform, following ICP-B794, a novel B7-H3 targeted ADC. As the platform continues to evolve, the Company is poised to expand its portfolio with multiple differentiated ADC candidates.

Dr. Jasmine Cui, Co-Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of InnoCare, said, "The approval of the clinical trial of ICP-B208 marks another milestone in our solid tumor pipeline and validates the huge drug development potential of our ADC platform. We will continue to expand our portfolio with multiple ADC candidates and bring new hope to cancer patients worldwide."

(Press release, InnoCare Pharma, MAY 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234665235])

Avacta presents new comparisons of pre|CISION® payload release vs approved ADCs and AVA6207 dual payload delivery at Science Day 2026

On May 6, 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 present two new developments at its Science Day 2026 event.

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The Company is presenting comparative analyses of pre|CISION payload delivery via one of its programs, AVA6103, compared with now two approved Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs).It is also presenting updated in vivo studies of the dual payload delivery system in another program, AVA6207.

Christina Coughlin, CEO of Avacta, commented:

"These presentations further underline the potential of our unique pre|CISION technology to improve treatment options for cancer patients.

"Providing data analysis of two ADCs, including Enhertu, as part of the AVA6103 program, further demonstrates the alignment of the ADC mechanism and highlights the critical advantages of our pre|CISION delivery directly to the tumor with higher selectivity, regardless of the ADC target.

"The data with our pre|CISION technology to deliver dual payloads has now demonstrated for the first time an efficacy advantage over single payload ADCs in a FAP-low and HER2-positive patient-derived cancer model.

"We continue to build momentum and enhance our IP – at a pace that we are confident exceeds industry norms."

AVA6103: The new data analyses in the AVA6103 program comparing pre|CISION FAP-cleavable exatecan delivery with those of leading marketed ADCs have been extended to Datroway, an ADC targeting the TROP2 antigen, as well as Enhertu an ADC targeting the HER2 antigen.

Details of these studies:

All three of these drugs (AVA6103, Enhertu and Datroway) feature tumor-targeted delivery of topoisomase I inhibitors (exatecan or deruxtecan) and these comparisons are designed to address the differences in the payload delivery and control for the differences in cancer models
The delivery kinetics of exatecan (derived from AVA6103) and deruxtecan (derived from Enhertu or Datroway) demonstrate more rapid tumor penetration of released exatecan from AVA6103 (Tmax of minutes, AVA6103 versus Tmax >24 hours, Enhertu or Datroway) and higher maximal concentration (Cmax) of released payload in the tumor with differences observed of over 1-log
The tumor selectivity index (TSI) is a measure of the overall exposure (area under the curve, AUC) in the tumor vs. the bloodstream (TSI = AUC[tumor/plasma]) which is at least 3 times higher with released exatecan from AVA6103 than either released deruxtecan from Enhertu or Datroway
The Company is planning to publish these findings at an upcoming academic meeting and in a peer-reviewed journal
AVA6207: The in vivo data in the AVA6207 program show the dual payload delivery demonstrating prolonged deep complete responses despite tumor regrowth with the conventional cytotoxic drugs. Initial data was published at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2026 last month and has been updated.

Findings include:

Results indicate that deep and durable complete responses are observed in the FAP-high model, HEK-FAP where tumors regrow with conventional therapy.
In the FAP-low/HER2-positive patient derived xenograft model of gastric cancer, durable responses with AVA6207 are observed where tumor regrowth is observed with Enhertu. These results suggest optimal treatment with the combination is more effective in this model than the deruxtecan-based ADC.
The investor Science Day 2026 event is being held at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, starting at 10.30am. Attendance capacity is limited, so attendance is limited to those who have received confirmation of registration previously. The presentations will be recorded and published on the Company website in due course.

Enhertu is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited and AstraZeneca. Datroway is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.

(Press release, Avacta Life Sciences, MAY 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234665234])

Medicus Pharma Announces Results from Pre-Specified Expanded Phase 2 SKNJCT-003 Data Analysis Demonstrating Positive Dose-Response

On May 6, 2026 Medicus Pharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: MDCX) ("Medicus" or the "Company"), a biotech/life sciences company focused on advancing the clinical development programs of novel and potentially disruptive therapeutics assets, reported results from a pre-specified expanded dataset analysis demonstrating positive dose response from its Phase 2 SKNJCT-003 study evaluating safety and efficacy of Doxorubicin Microneedle Array (D-MNA) to treat nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin, the most common type of skin cancer.

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These additional pre-specified analysis, build upon the previously reported positive topline results, provide expanded biological, histologic, and safety insights that further strengthen SkinJect’s therapeutic profile and future registrational discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These additional findings are also consistent with prior Phase 1 clinical observations in the SKNJCT-001 study in March 2021, and interim analysis of SKNJCT-003 in March 2025, reinforcing reproducibility across studies.

SKNJCT-003 Study Design Overview (NCT06608238)::

The SKNJCT-003 (NCT06608238) clinical study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, three-arm Phase 2 study evaluating two dose levels of microneedle-mediated delivery of doxorubicin compared with a device-only control in patients with nodular basal cell carcinoma. It was a multi-center study designed to enroll 90 participants presenting with nodular type basal cell carcinoma. The participants were randomized 1:1:1 into three groups:

Device-controlled group receiving P-MNA
Low-dose group receiving 100µg of D-MNA
High-dose group receiving 200µg of D-MNA

Expanded central pathology reconciliation demonstrated that 69 participants met intended nodular BCC inclusion criteria, while 21 participants were identified as superficial or mixed subtype lesions.

The Results from Pre-specified Expanded Analysis of 69 participants are summarized below:

Dose # of patients(n) Day 29 post-treatment # of patients(n) Day 57 post-treatment
35 Clinical Clearance Histological Clearance (CR) 34 Clinical Clearance Histological Clearance (CR)
Device-only 12 42 % 25 % 14 29 % 29 %
100ug D-MNA 12 42 % 25 % 9 44 % 33 %
200ug D-MNA 11 46 % 27 % 11 64 % 55 %

The expanded analysis demonstrates a progressive and dose-dependent improvement, with the strongest separation emerging at Day 57.

"We are encouraged by these additional findings in the expanded analysis, which we believe meaningfully strengthens the clinical and regulatory foundation of the SKNJCT-003 Program" stated Dr. Raza Bokhari, Chairman and CEO of Medicus. "We are confident that this dataset moves us from Proof-of-concept to a clear registrational path, and we believe Skinject has the potential to fundamentally change the current approach of treating patients with BCC, addressing a major un-met medical need".

From Positive Topline Dataset to Positive Dose-Response:

The Company previously reported topline results from the population of 90 randomized patients, which demonstrated a positive topline and decision-grade dataset. The 69-patient refined efficacy analysis further strengthens the regulatory alignment of the study as the Company advances toward End-of-Phase 2 (EOP2) discussions with the FDA.

The topline dataset showed that:

The 200µg cohort achieved the highest observed activity at Day 57
Clearance rates improved from Day 29 to Day 57, consistent with continued biological activity over time

The pre-specified expanded dataset analysis builds on this foundation by:

Revealing a clear and consistent dose-response relationship across endpoints
Demonstrating stronger separation between the 200µg cohort and control, particularly at Day 57
Strengthens differentiation between drug-driven efficacy and device-only biological activity

Importantly, this expanded central pathology verified dataset provides a more precise and clinically interpretable view of treatment effect, with the 200µg cohort at Day 57 emerging as the leading dose with the most robust and consistent efficacy signal.

These findings suggest that many treated lesions may in the future be able to avoid immediate surgical intervention, representing a potentially meaningful shift in the treatment paradigm for BCC. Given the short treatment and excision timeline evaluated, these results are particularly encouraging and may suggest clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity within a highly practical therapeutic window.

Collectively, this dataset may support future registration-intent or NDA-enabling development discussions, including optimized patient population, lesion subtype, dose regimen, and treatment-to-excision interval.

D-MNA continued to demonstrate a highly favorable safety and tolerability profile, was generally well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events, no evidence of systemic doxorubicin toxicity, and predominantly mild localized treatment-site reactions, supporting repeatable lesion-directed administration consistent with prior Phase 1 observations.

Reinforcing Drug-Driven Therapeutic Effect:

The device-only arm also demonstrated early biological activity consistent with microneedle-induced local immune response, but it did not show sustained or deepening efficacy over time. In contrast, the 200µg D-MNA cohort demonstrated progressive improvement from Day 29 to Day 57, resulting in clear separation across both clinical and histological endpoints. This pattern is consistent with drug-driven therapeutic effect, rather than a device-only response.

Independent Investigator Validation Supports Clinical and Regulatory Read-Through

These findings are further supported by independent investigator validation from a leading academic dermatologist and clinical investigator.

Dr. Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD, Principal Investigator of the SKNJCT-003 study, is an internationally recognized academic dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and clinical investigator in skin oncology. He serves as Professor of Dermatology and Pathology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and holds academic appointments at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Dr. Rao has evaluated the dataset and noted that he believes it demonstrates a clinically meaningful rapid onset efficacy, clear differentiation between drug and device effect and a profile that supports continued development and regulatory progress. Dr. Rao noted the consistency between visual, histologic, and central pathology findings is highly encouraging and provides growing confidence that SkinJect is producing meaningful biologic anti-tumor effects. Notably, clinically meaningful anti-tumor responses were observed within weeks, potentially differentiating D-MNA from many existing non-surgical therapies that often require substantially longer treatment durations. This analysis also improves the understanding of the patient populations and treatment parameters most likely to optimize future clinical outcomes.

The Company believes these findings further de-risk advancement of the 200µg regimen and informs the design of subsequent development studies, including assessment timing, lesion selection, and endpoint strategy.

(Press release, Skinject, MAY 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234665233])

BriaCell Receives FDA Clearance to Initiate Bria-BRES+™ Clinical Study in Breast Cancer

On May 6, 2026 BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXL) (TSX: BCT) ("BriaCell" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, reported it has received FDA clearance to initiate clinical evaluation of Bria-BRES+, its next generation, personalized, off-the-shelf, cell-based immunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

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"We are honored to announce FDA clearance of the first IND for our next generation personalized immunotherapy, Bria-BRES+," stated Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell’s President & CEO. "The unique design of Bria-BRES+ offers the potential for a favorable safety profile and meaningful therapeutic benefit in metastatic breast cancer. We look forward to advancing Bria-BRES+ into the clinic as we seek to bring new hope to these patients who have few to no effective treatment options."

As reported in BriaCell’s recent AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) preclinical poster presentation, Bria-BRES+ demonstrated activation of both adaptive and innate immunity including activation of naïve (resting) T-cells, dendritic cells and natural killer (NK) cells. BriaCell believes this multipronged immune activation may enhance clinical efficacy and help prevent immune escape in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BriaCell’s Bria-BRES+ builds on its Bria-OTS breast cancer clinical program, where the first patient dosed experienced the sustained complete resolution of a lung metastasis. This 78-year-old woman with advanced metastatic breast cancer and multiple prior treatment failures achieved complete (100%) resolution of a lung metastasis following four doses of Bria-OTS single agent therapy. The complete response of the lesion, initially observed at 2 months, was subsequently confirmed at 4 months, 6 months, and at 11 months. The patient received 17 cycles of Bria-OTS, completed 12 months of the study, and remains in survival follow-up.

(Press release, BriaCell Therapeutics, MAY 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234665232])

Erasca to Present at the Bank of America Securities Health Care Conference

On May 6, 2026 Erasca, Inc. (Nasdaq: ERAS), a clinical-stage precision oncology company singularly focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers, reported its participation in the Bank of America Securities 2026 Health Care Conference being held at the Encore Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Management will participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 3:00 pm Pacific Time and will also participate in one-on-one investor meetings.

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A live audio webcast of the event will be available online at Erasca.com/events. An archived replay of the event will be available for 30 days following the webcast at Erasca.com/events.

(Press release, Erasca, MAY 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234665231])