On June 1, 2026 NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) ("NuCana" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on significantly improving treatment outcomes for patients with cancer, reported the appointment of Ian Webster as Chief Financial Officer, effective today. Ian has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since June 2025 and was previously Director of Finance since joining NuCana in 2019.

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"We are delighted to appoint Ian as Chief Financial Officer," said Hugh S. Griffith, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NuCana. "Since joining NuCana, Ian has demonstrated deep financial expertise and a thorough understanding of our business. He will continue to shape our financial strategy as we advance our pipeline, including our plans to generate data in 2026 from the Phase 2 NuTide:701 study evaluating NUC-7738 in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with PD-1 inhibitor-resistant metastatic melanoma and to prepare the optimal pathway toward a potential registrational strategy for NUC-7738 in melanoma."

"I am honored to be appointed Chief Financial Officer at such an exciting time for NuCana," said Ian Webster. "With multiple anticipated data readouts and a cash runway anticipated to extend into 2029, I look forward to helping advance the Company’s strategic priorities and long-term value creation."

Ian brings more than 20 years of finance experience to the Chief Financial Officer role, including over a decade in senior leadership positions within the biopharmaceutical sector. His expertise spans financial management, public company reporting, audit, tax, mergers and acquisitions, as well as financial planning and analysis.

Prior to joining NuCana, Ian served as Group Financial Controller at Kyowa Kirin International plc, a specialty pharmaceutical company, from 2013 to 2019. Earlier in his career, he spent 11 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he was a senior manager in the audit and transaction services practices in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Ian is a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and holds a BSc Honours in Accounting and Finance from the University of Warwick.

(Press release, Nucana, JUN 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234666315])

On June 1, 2026 Novartis reported positive 144-week data from the pivotal ASC4FIRST trial of Scemblix (asciminib) presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. These results provide longer-term evidence that Scemblix demonstrated increasingly superior molecular responses at week 144 compared with established tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), strengthening confidence in its sustained response1.

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ASC4FIRST compared the MMR rate of Scemblix to investigator-selected (IS) standard-of-care (SoC) TKIs (imatinib and 2G TKIs nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib) and to imatinib alone in adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP)2,3. The longer-term data showed a progressively larger difference in MMR rates favorable to Scemblix vs. SoC TKIs, vs. imatinib and vs. 2G TKIs1.

"Because CML patients often need to remain on therapy long term, treatments must combine robust efficacy with a favorable safety and tolerability profile," said Jorge Cortes, M.D., Chief of Hematology, UAB O’Neal Cancer Center. "These data show asciminib continued to deliver significantly higher response rates versus the comparator TKIs and offers improved response that widens over time, including compared to second-generation TKIs."

"Drawing on more than 25 years in CML and a Scemblix clinical program of over 10 years, Novartis is focused on addressing treatment challenges for people living with CML," said Mark Rutstein, M.D., Global Head, Oncology Development, Novartis. "With now nearly 3 years of extended follow-up in ASC4FIRST, we continue to see results that support Scemblix as an important option for newly diagnosed adult CML patients."

In addition to meeting all primary and key secondary endpoints at weeks 48 and 96, Scemblix continued to extend the treatment benefit for patients vs. SoC TKIs at week 1441,2,3,4. At the cutoff, more patients remained on treatment with Scemblix vs. SoC (78.6% vs. 55.9%), imatinib (81.2% vs. 50.0%), and 2G TKIs (76.0% vs. 61.8%)1. At week 144, nearly 24% more patients treated with Scemblix achieved MMR vs. all SoC TKIs, and over 32% more patients achieved MMR vs. imatinib alone1. The Scemblix MMR rate was 15.2% higher vs. 2G TKIs (75.0% vs. 59.8%; P=0.01*)1. Patients treated with Scemblix also achieved deeper molecular responses (MR4 and MR4.5) compared with SoC TKIs1.

*Unadjusted nominal p-value for descriptive purposes only

Overalla
Scemblix (n=201)
vs. IS SoC TKIs
(n=204) Imatinib stratumb
Scemblix (n=101)
vs. imatinib (n=102) 2G TKI stratumc
Scemblix (n=100)
vs. 2G TKIs
(n=102)
Secondary objectivesd MMR rates
at week 144 77.1% vs. 53.4% 79.2% vs. 47.1% 75.0% vs. 59.8%
MR4
at week 144 55.7% vs. 36.3% 58.4% vs. 33.3% 53.0% vs. 39.2%
MR4.5
at week 144 42.3% vs. 24.5% 43.6% vs. 19.6% 41.0% vs. 29.4%
a All patients receiving Scemblix (n=201) or IS SoC TKIs (n=204). Treatment difference after adjusting for pre-randomization selected TKI and EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) risk groups at baseline.
b The 203 patients within the pre-randomization-selected imatinib stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=101) or imatinib (n=102). Treatment difference after adjusting for ELTS risk groups at baseline.
c The 202 patients within the pre-randomization selected 2G TKIs stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=100) or 2G TKIs (n=102: nilotinib, 48%; dasatinib, 41%; bosutinib, 11%).
d Secondary objectives were not powered for statistical significance.

"For many patients living with CML, managing a lifelong condition means balancing disease control with the real impact of treatment on daily life, and too often side effects can stand in the way of staying on therapy," said Joannie Clements, CML patient and founder of CML Buster Foundation. "There remains a clear unmet need for treatments that are highly effective and also have a safety and tolerability profile favorable enough to be suitable for long-term use."

Scemblix demonstrated a safety profile at 144 weeks consistent with the 4-year follow-up of the Phase III ASCEMBL trial, with no new safety concerns observed to date1,2,5. Compared with both imatinib and 2G TKIs, Scemblix showed fewer grade ≥3 AEs, fewer dose adjustments to manage adverse events, and more than 50% lower discontinuation due to adverse events2,4,6. The most frequent AEs (≥15%) were diarrhea, headache, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and rash4,7.

Week 144 Scemblix
n=200 Imatinib
n=99 2G TKIs
n=102
Grade ≥3 AEsa 49% 52% 63%
Discontinuation due to AEsa 6% 13% 14%
AEs leading to dose adjustments/interruptionsa 37% 44% 63%
aIn patients who experienced ≥1 adverse event.

These data will also be presented as an oral presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2026 Congress in June.

About the ASC4FIRST Phase III Clinical Trial
ASC4FIRST (NCT04971226) is a Phase III, head-to-head, multi-center, open-label, randomized study of oral Scemblix 80 mg QD vs. IS first- or second-generation TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or bosutinib) in 405 adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP2,3. The trial met both primary endpoints with Scemblix demonstrating superior MMR rates at week 48 vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, and bosutinib) (67.7% vs. 49.0%) and imatinib alone (69.3% vs. 40.2%) as well as the secondary, non-powered endpoint for the 2G TKI stratum of (66% vs. 57.8%)3. The study remains ongoing with further efficacy and safety readouts planned.

About Scemblix (asciminib)
Scemblix is the first CML treatment that works by Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (referred to as a STAMP inhibitor in scientific literature)5,8,9. Other currently approved CML treatments are TKIs that target the ATP-binding site (ATP-competitive)9.

In the US, Scemblix was granted accelerated approval to treat newly diagnosed adults with Ph+ CML-CP. Outside the US, Scemblix is approved to treat newly diagnosed adults with Ph+ CML-CP in more than 60 countries, including the EU, China, and Japan. It is also approved in 61 countries, including the US and the EU, for previously treated adults with Ph+ CML-CP, regardless of prior therapy, and in 58 countries, including the US and the EU, for patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation10.

(Press release, Novartis, JUN 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234666314])

On June 1, 2026 Nouscom, a clinical-stage biotech company developing next-generation immunotherapies to treat cancer at all stages, from early cancer interception to late-stage metastatic disease, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to NOUS-209 for the prevention of Lynch Syndrome (LS)-associated cancers in LS carriers with genetically confirmed mismatch repair (MMR) mutations.

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Fast Track Designation is granted to investigational therapies that have the potential to address serious conditions with significant unmet medical need. It is designed to expedite development and review through more frequent, direct interactions with the FDA, and confers eligibility for Accelerated Approval, Rolling Review of a Biologics License Application (BLA), and Priority Review at BLA submission.

"Lynch Syndrome carriers face up to 80% lifetime risk of developing cancer. Yet their only options today are intensive surveillance or prophylactic organ removal surgery," said Marina Udier, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Nouscom. "Fast Track Designation from the FDA validates the urgency of the need and the strength of our NOUS-209 program. Building on promising Phase 1b/2 results published in Nature Medicine, we are now advancing NOUS-209 into a registration-enabling trial — with the goal of delivering the first cancer interception immunotherapy for Lynch Syndrome carriers."

The designation is supported by Phase 1b/2 data in LS carriers, published in Nature Medicine (D’Alise et al., 2026), demonstrating NOUS-209 monotherapy was safe and induced broad, potent, functional and durable T cell responses, boosted by annual retreatment. No new advanced adenomas were detected one-year post-treatment, providing first clinical evidence of cancer interception in LS carriers.

"Fast Track Designation will accelerate our dialogue with the FDA as we prepare for our registration-enabling study," said Sven Gogov, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Nouscom. "Together with our prior FDA and EMA alignment on the registrational path, FTD provides both speed and regulatory clarity as we work to bring this transformative immunotherapy to Lynch Syndrome carriers."

About NOUS-209

NOUS-209 is an investigational off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that targets tumors with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI). These tumors produce unique markers known as frameshift peptide (FSP) neoantigens, which are unique to cancerous cells and absent in healthy cells. NOUS-209 is comprised of two proprietary viral vectors able to deliver 209 shared FSP neoantigens and train the immune system to recognize and attack cancerous and precancerous cells before tumors can develop.

Phase 1b/2 data demonstrated the safety of NOUS-209 and its ability to stimulate potent immune responses in LS carriers1,2, supporting its advancement into a registration-enabling Phase 2/3 trial in cancer interception. NOUS-209 is also being studied in Phase 2 studies in combination with pembrolizumab in a difficult-to-treat patient population of advanced dMMR and/or MSI-H metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients refractory to anti-PD-1 therapy3 and in first line treatment of advanced dMMR and/or MSI-H mCRC. Data from the successfully completed Phase 1b trial were published in Science Translational Medicine4.

About Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome (LS) is a common inherited condition that significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer over their lifetime, especially colorectal cancer (CRC) (up to 50% risk, compared to 2% for general population), endometrial cancer (up to 50% risk, compared to 1-2% for general population) and urothelial cancer (up to 25% risk, compared to 1-2% for general population)5,6,7,8. LS also elevates the risk of developing other cancers including gastric, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic. LS is caused by inherited mutations in specific genes responsible for repairing DNA, leading to the buildup of harmful genetic errors that can accumulate, triggering development of tumors. Currently, managing LS is limited to frequent screenings such as colonoscopy to catch cancer early, but is not shown to reduce cancer incidence9,and elective surgery, which is invasive, expensive, and negatively impacts quality of life. As a pioneering approach to cancer interception, Nouscom’s investigational immunotherapy, NOUS-209, is designed to train the immune system to recognize and stop cancer before it develops.

About Cancer Interception

Cancer interception is an innovative approach that aims to stop cancer in its earliest stages before tumors fully develop and spread. Unlike traditional therapies that target established cancers, interception strategies harness advancements in immuno-oncology that can train the immune system to recognize and eliminate precancerous and cancerous cells. This approach is particularly relevant for those with high-risk genetic conditions such as LS who have high predisposition to developing MSI-associated cancers.

(Press release, NousCom, JUN 1, 2026, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nouscom-receives-u-s-fda-fast-track-designation-for-nous-209-a-novel-immunotherapy-for-the-prevention-of-lynch-syndrome-associated-cancers [SID1234666313])

On June 1, 2026 NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel therapies to treat cancer, and Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., (Simcere Zaiming) an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company and a subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (HKEX: 2096), reported the presentation of positive Phase 1 dose escalation data for SIM0505 at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2026) in Chicago, IL (poster #246). SIM0505 is an investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Cadherin-6 (CDH6) with a proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPOi) payload. NextCure plans to host a virtual KOL Event on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 (register here) to review these data.

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Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) and uterine serous carcinoma (USC) represent two of the most challenging gynecologic malignancies. In PROC, once platinum resistance develops, response rates to available therapies drop to as low as 10–25%, with a median overall survival of approximately 11 months. USC, while accounting for only 10% of uterine cancers, is responsible for about 40% of uterine cancer deaths, with 5-year survival falling to 33% in advanced-stage disease. Taken together, these two cancers represent a persistent and significant unmet need for more effective treatment options.1-3

The Phase 1 dose escalation study (NCT06792552) evaluated SIM0505 in 59 heavily pre-treated cancer patients, with a data cutoff of April 07, 2026. Patients in the U.S. (n=25) and China (n=34) received SIM0505 at doses ranging from 1.6 mg/kg to 9.6 mg/kg, regardless of CDH6 expression.

Positive efficacy data were observed, with an objective response rate (ORR) of:

● 55% (11/20) for gynecologic cancers (ovarian cancer and USC)
● 52.9% (9/17) for ovarian cancer
● 66.7% (2/3) for USC
● Responses were observed across a range of CDH6 expression
ORRs, above, are reported for patients within therapeutic dose cohorts of 4.8 – 8.0 mg/kg who had a minimum 12 weeks of follow-up at the data cut-off, and were determined by best response according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Of the nine (9) ovarian patients with partial response (PR), there was one unconfirmed PR and one PR pending confirmation at next follow-up scan.

"Positive Phase 1 data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 validate our conviction in SIM0505 as a potential best-in-class CDH6-directed therapy for gynecologic cancers. Meaningful response rates at 12 weeks, alongside a manageable safety profile, give us strong confidence in this program and reinforce our enthusiasm for the ongoing dose optimization study. We believe SIM0505 has broad potential in gynecologic cancers and beyond, and these data put us on a solid track toward pivotal studies and our goal of bringing this treatment to patients," said Michael Richman, President and CEO of NextCure.

"Data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 underscore the promise of our ADC platform and SIM0505, purpose-designed to deliver better efficacy, safety and tolerability, combining a carefully selected EC1 CDH6 epitope with our proprietary CPT116 topoisomerase payload. These results validate the science behind the SIM0505 construct and the accelerating pace of the global development program. Together with our partner, we remain deeply committed to advancing innovative medicines for patients facing hard-to-treat cancers," said Renhong Tang, PhD, CEO of Simcere Zaiming.

"Treatment of gynecologic cancers has advanced meaningfully in recent years, yet the need for safer and more effective treatments remains real. CDH6 is an attractive target given its expression across ovarian, uterine, and other solid tumors. ADCs directed at this target have the potential to deliver the deeper, more durable responses these patients need. The early response rates observed for SIM0505 at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 are encouraging, and I believe the safety profile is manageable in routine clinical practice. I am enthusiastic about this program and its potential to advance the standard of care in gynecologic cancers," said Udayan Guha, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of NextCure.

ASCO Poster Overview: "Phase 1, multicenter, first-in-human (FIH) global study of SIM0505, an anti-CDH6 (CDH6) antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) in patients with advanced solid tumors"

Table 1: Study Subject Overview:

All Patients

Baseline Characteristics

(n=59)

Age, years: median (range)

58 (42-78)

Sex, %: Male/Female

3.4%/96.6%

Race, n (%)

Asian

34 (57.6%)

Black or African American

3 (5.1%)

White

20 (33.9%)

Other

2 (3.4%)

Tumor Type, n (%)

Ovarian

46 (78.0%)

USC/other endometrial

10 (16.9%)

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

3 (5.1%)

ECOG performance status, n (%)

0

16 (27.1%)

1

43 (72.9%)

Prior systemic anti-cancer regimen: median (range)

5 (1-12)

Table 2: Efficacy Overview:

Patient Group

ORR*

All gynecologic patients (n=20)

55% (11/20)

• Ovarian cancer (n=17)

52.9% (9/17)

• USC (n=3)

66.7% (2/3)

*Reported for patients within therapeutic SIM0505 dose cohorts of 4.8 – 8.0 mg/kg who had a minimum 12 weeks of follow-up at the April 7, 2026 data cut-off, and were determined by best response according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Of the nine (9) ovarian patients with PR, there was one unconfirmed PR and one PR pending confirmation at next follow-up scan.

Overall safety: Favorable overall data, potentially manageable in routine practice setting (n=59):

● Grade 1 and 2 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) predominantly hematological, nausea and vomiting
● Grade 3 and 4 TEAEs predominantly hematological and manageable without primary prophylaxis for hematological toxicities
● Treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) requiring dose discontinuation: n=3
A full copy of the poster will be available on the NextCure website under the Investor Relations "Events & Presentations" tab following the presentation.

Virtual KOL Event

NextCure will host a virtual KOL Event to discuss the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2026 data.

● Date: June 2, 2026
● Time: 8:00 AM ET
● Registration Link: Click here
A replay of the webinar will be accessible on the Events page of the NextCure website for 90 days.

About SIM0505

SIM0505 is a novel ADC directed to CDH6, featuring a proprietary TOPOi payload. The ADC is designed for broad anti-tumor activity, fast systemic clearance and an improved potential therapeutic window. SIM0505 is being evaluated in an open-label, Phase 1 study (NCT06792552) for the potential treatment of advanced solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on PROC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track Designation to SIM0505 for the treatment of PROC. NextCure holds exclusive global rights for SIM0505, excluding China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan which are retained by Simcere Zaiming.

About the Phase 1 Trial of SIM0505

SIM0505 is being evaluated in a global Phase 1 open-label, multicenter study (NCT06792552) with sites in the U.S. and China. The Phase 1 dose escalation segment has evaluated SIM0505, at dose levels from 1.6 mg/kg to 9.6 mg/kg, in heavily pre-treated cancer patients with solid tumors including gynecologic cancers and renal cell carcinoma. As of the April 7, 2026 data cutoff, 59 patients were enrolled without preselection for CDH6 expression. Follow-up is ongoing.

In May 2026, NextCure initiated a Phase 1 dose optimization segment in gynecologic cancers, initially focusing on patients with PROC. The global study is expected to enroll up to 120 patients, with initial doses of 5.6, 6.4 and 7.2 mg/kg, at sites in the U.S., Canada, the EU and China.

About Ovarian Cancer4-8

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. It is characterized by vague, easily overlooked symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, and frequent urination that often go undetected until late stage. Risk factors include age, family history, BRCA1/2 mutations, and hormone therapy use. The median age at diagnosis is 63, and the overall 5-year relative survival rate is 51.6% — though early-stage diagnosis carries a 5-year survival rate of 91.7%. As of 2022, an estimated 244,000 women were living with ovarian cancer in the United States.

About Uterine Serous Cancer2

Uterine serous carcinoma is a rare but highly aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer, accounting for approximately 10% of uterine cancers and about 40% of uterine cancer deaths. It typically arises in postmenopausal women, with abnormal or postmenopausal bleeding as the most common presenting symptom. Risk factors include advancing age, a history of breast cancer, tamoxifen use, and hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome. More than half of patients present with stage III or IV disease at diagnosis, contributing to its disproportionate mortality burden.

(Press release, NextCure, JUN 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234666312])

On June 1, 2026 Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LYEL), a late-stage clinical company advancing a pipeline of next-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for patients with cancer, reported that members of its senior management team will participate in the Goldman Sachs 47th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2026 on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Miami, Florida, with a fireside chat scheduled for 11:20 am Eastern Time.

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A live webcast of the fireside chat and subsequent replay can be accessed through the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.lyell.com.

(Press release, Lyell Immunopharma, JUN 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234666311])