On July 20, 2026 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing and commercializing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported three poster presentations at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2026, taking place October 23-27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain.

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Poster presentation details:

Title: Enozertinib (ORIC-114), a Brain Penetrant, Highly Selective EGFR Inhibitor, in Treatment-Naive Metastatic NSCLC with EGFR Atypical Mutations
Presentation Number: 2627P
Session Date & Time: Monday, October 26, 2026; 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. CET
Session Title: Metastatic NSCLC

Title: Rinzimetostat, an Allosteric PRC2 Inhibitor Combined With Darolutamide: A Global Phase 3 Study in mCRPC Patients Previously Treated With Abiraterone Acetate (Himalayas-1)
Presentation Number: 2303TiP
Session Date & Time: Friday, October 23, 2026; 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. CEST
Session Title: Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Title: Rinzimetostat, a Next-Generation PRC2 Inhibitor, Enhances Luminal Fate and AR Signaling While Restricting Lineage Plasticity in Preclinical Models and Demonstrates Mechanistic
Proof-of-Concept in Samples From Patients with mCRPC
Presentation Number: 1128eP
Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics

Full abstracts will be available for public viewing via the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress website on October 19, 2026.

(Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, JUL 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234669320])

On July 20, 2026 VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA; "VERAXA), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, reported that it has received Scientific Advice from the German regulatory authority, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (PEI), regarding the underlying biology and proposed non-clinical development plan for its most-advanced development program based on its proprietary BiTAC-TCE technology.

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In the PEI’s Scientific Advice procedure, drug developers can consult with regulatory experts on how to best evaluate their new drug candidates with a key focus on safety and tolerability. The advice was given in a meeting in which VERAXA presented the scientific rationale for the BiTAC-TCE mechanism together with its proposed safety assessments and pharmacokinetics strategy. The supportive feedback indicates that the authorities understand the biological concept behind the dual-targeting, conditionally active BiTAC-TCE format, which provides an initial derisking of the development path and greater clarity as the Company advances its BiTAC-TCE program.

"Scientific Advice on the first therapeutic candidate based on a novel platform is an important early validation, and the feedback we received is encouraging," said Christoph Erkel, Ph.D., Vice President, Research & Development of VERAXA. "It indicates that the regulatory authorities understand the biological rationale behind our BiTAC-TCE technology approach and gives us greater clarity on the development path we have proposed. For our new modality, such early alignment is crucial to make sure that we progress as efficiently as possible towards the clinics."

Initial data from VERAXA’s most advanced BiTAC-TCE program were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2026, in April. In those studies, VERAXA’s BiTAC-TCE candidate performed as intended in vitro and in vivo, attacking cancer cells displaying both target molecules while sparing cells expressing only one of the two targets. The data demonstrated a superior safety profile with matching efficacy compared with a more traditional TCE, pointing to the possibility of a meaningfully improved therapeutic index. The related posters are available on the VERAXA website at www.veraxa.com.

(Press release, Veraxa Biotech, JUL 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234669319])

On July 20, 2026 Personalis, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSNL), a leader in advanced genomics for precision oncology, reported that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care. The acquisition will expand Tempus capabilities in minimal residual disease (MRD) and enhance its ability to support patients from diagnosis and treatment selection, to recurrence and monitoring.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Personalis shareholders will receive consideration of $16.25 per share of common stock, representing a total enterprise value of $1.5 billion, net

of Tempus’ existing ownership interest.

The complementary acquisition builds on the companies’ existing partnership, established in November 2023, through which Tempus invested in Personalis and commercializes the company’s NeXT Personal MRD test. It brings together Tempus’ multimodal data platform, AI capabilities and precision oncology portfolio with Personalis’ industry-leading tumor-informed MRD technology to expand access to longitudinal monitoring, create new opportunities to advance biomarker discovery and enhance personalized cancer care.

"MRD is a large and rapidly growing market with the potential to truly transform how cancer patients are monitored, helping clinicians make faster and more informed decisions when cancer recurs," said Eric Lefkofsky, CEO of Tempus. "Through our existing collaboration with Personalis, we have already demonstrated the strength of combining highly sensitive MRD technology with our commercial infrastructure. With clinical adoption and reimbursement momentum building, we are collectively well positioned to capture this opportunity, which makes this acquisition particularly exciting."

With approximately 2.1 million new cancer diagnoses expected in the U.S. this year1 and more people living longer after a cancer diagnosis, the need for long-term monitoring is critical and continues to grow. Personalis’ ultrasensitive MRD tests are uniquely positioned to support this essential need. NeXT Personal has industry-leading sensitivity for detecting small traces of circulating tumor DNA, enabling tracking of cancer treatment response, detection of residual cancer and early detection of recurrence. With Medicare coverage in three indications and additional coverage anticipated, Personalis continues to demonstrate leadership in monitoring treatment response and cancer recurrence.

"We believe this transaction represents an exciting next chapter for Personalis," said Chris Hall, CEO of Personalis. "Combining with Tempus gives us the scale, complementary capabilities and resources to accelerate innovation and deliver even greater value to patients, clinicians and biopharma partners. After conducting an exhaustive process, we are confident Tempus’ offer provides the most value to our shareholders and the fastest path to bringing Personalis’ industry-leading tests to patients suffering from cancer."

Transaction Terms

Under the terms of the agreement Tempus will acquire all outstanding shares of Personalis not already owned by Tempus at a price of $16.25 per common share, representing a 6% premium to Friday’s closing price and a 28% premium to unaffected 30-day VWAP. Consideration will be structured as a 100% stock transaction with Tempus having the option to elect payment in cash at Tempus’ discretion, capped at 50% of the consideration paid. Personalis shareholders will receive a floating exchange ratio of Tempus AI common stock for each share of Personalis common stock they own at closing, subject to a maximum exchange ratio of 0.3356, which shall be finalized closer to the closing of the transaction. Cash consideration will be financed with cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s then existing credit facilities.

The closing is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, and is subject to Personalis’ shareholder approval, as well as receipt of applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The transaction was approved by both companies’ board of directors.

Personalis delivered preliminary revenue in Q2 of $22.4 million. In the quarter, they delivered 10,384 clinical tests, representing a 33% increase in test volumes quarter over quarter.

(Press release, Personalis, JUL 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234669317])

On July 20, 2026 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCY) ("Oncolytics" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has granted Fast Track designation to pelareorep in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of patients with inoperable, locally recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal ("SCAC") who have progressed on or were intolerant to one or more prior lines of systemic therapy.

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Fast Track designation is intended to facilitate the development and expedite the review of therapies that treat serious diseases and address significant unmet medical needs. The designation provides opportunities for more frequent interactions with the FDA throughout development, rolling review of a future Biologics License Application, and eligibility for Priority Review, if applicable.

The Company believes the designation further validates pelareorep’s potential to address a significant unmet need in advanced SCAC and follows the positive feedback received during its April 2026 meeting with the FDA regarding a potential registrational development strategy for the program. Based on the FDA’s feedback, Oncolytics believes it has a clear regulatory framework in place to advance pelareorep toward a pivotal study in this indication.

"This Fast Track designation represents another important regulatory milestone for Oncolytics and reflects the significant progress we have made over the past twelve months in advancing pelareorep toward potential registration," said Jared Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics. "During that time, we have received Fast Track designation in both metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell anal carcinoma, achieved important FDA alignment on registrational development strategies, strengthened our intellectual property portfolio, and continued to generate compelling clinical data across our gastrointestinal oncology programs. Our April meeting with the FDA provided important clarity regarding a potential registrational pathway for pelareorep in second-line and later anal cancer, reinforcing our confidence in the program and our strategy to address an area of significant unmet need. We believe these milestones continue to de-risk our development programs while positioning the Company to deliver meaningful value for patients and shareholders."

The designation is supported by encouraging efficacy demonstrated in the Company’s GOBLET study evaluating pelareorep in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced SCAC whose disease had progressed following prior therapy. Previously reported clinical results demonstrated an objective response rate of approximately 30%, more than double historical response rates reported in this setting, a median duration of response of approximately 15.5 months versus 9.5 months, and 12-month overall survival rate of 82% compared to 45.7%.1, 2

With checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy now established as the first-line standard of care in SCAC, there remains no FDA-approved therapies for patients whose disease progresses following such treatment, representing a significant unmet medical need and an estimated U.S. commercial opportunity approaching $1 billion annually.3, 4 Although checkpoint therapy is also approved as a single agent following progression or intolerance to platinum-based chemotherapy alone, no checkpoint inhibitor has been approved for patients who progress after receiving the current first-line standard of care regimen.

The Fast Track designation in SCAC is the third gastrointestinal cancer designation granted to pelareorep by the FDA, following designations in KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer in February 2026 and pancreatic cancer in late 2022. Together, these designations underscore pelareorep’s potential to address significant unmet medical needs and further validate the Company’s strategy of pursuing registration in high-value gastrointestinal cancer indications.

About Pelareorep
Pelareorep is an intravenously delivered, systemically active, investigational immunotherapy with a dual mechanism of action that selectively replicates in tumor cells while activating both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses, including the upregulation of key inflammatory cytokines resulting in the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and the expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Clinical studies have demonstrated pelareorep’s potential to enhance the activity of checkpoint inhibitors and other anti-cancer therapies across multiple solid tumor types.

(Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, JUL 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234669316])

On July 20, 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 new data from its Phase 1b/2 trial of NOUS-209 in Lynch Syndrome (LS) carriers have been accepted for an oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2026, taking place October 23–27 in Madrid, Spain.

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The oral presentation, titled "Safety and Immunogenicity of Re-vaccination with Nous-209: a neoantigen vaccine for cancer interception in Lynch syndrome carriers," will be given by Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, M.D., Ph.D., chair ad interim of Clinical Cancer Prevention at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It will report the safety and immunogenicity of NOUS-209 re-treatment alongside clinical follow-up extending beyond one year, further reinforcing the strength and durability of the data supporting NOUS-209 as a potential cancer interception immunotherapy for LS carriers.

"This is yet another recognition of the outstanding data we have generated for NOUS-209 in Lynch Syndrome – the fourth oral presentation of data from this trial, following AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025 and SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2023 and 2025," said Marina Udier, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Nouscom. "Together with our recent FDA Fast Track Designation, it strengthens our conviction and momentum as we advance NOUS-209 into a registration-enabling trial to deliver the first cancer interception immunotherapy for Lynch Syndrome carriers who face up to 80% lifetime risk of developing cancer."

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

The clinical trial NCT05078866 was a collaborative effort between the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet) and the iCAN-PREVENT consortium at MD Anderson. The NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, provided primary funding through Award Number UG1-CA-242609, with additional support from the Data Management, Auditing, and Coordination Center (grant U24CA242637).

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 are characterized by unique markers known as frameshift peptide (FSP) neoantigens, which are unique to cancerous cells and absent in healthy cells. NOUS-209 comprises 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, JUL 20, 2026, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nouscom-selected-for-oral-presentation-on-nous-209-re-treatment-and-long-term-follow-up-in-lynch-syndrome-carriers-at-esmo-congress-2026 [SID1234669315])