On July 13, 2026 VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA; "VERAXA"), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, reported a collaboration with Ardigen S.A., an AI-driven computational partner for modern R&D recognized for pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics for precision medicine, to support VERAXA’s growing BiTAC pipeline of t cell engagers (TCEs) and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The collaboration is another milestone in VEREXA’s mission to integrate AI into its research and development, with the long-term goal to achieve success rates in drug development that exceed industry benchmarks.

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Current high-potency modalities, including TCEs and ADCs, are frequently limited by severe on-target, off-tumor toxicities, restricting therapeutic efficacy and leading to high failure rates in development. VERAXA’s BiTAC-TCEs and future BiTAC-ADCs utilize a Boolean "AND-gate" logic, requiring the co-expression of two distinct targets on the same cancer cell for activation. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly widen the therapeutic window by sparing healthy tissues and even systemic toxicity.

With the BiTAC platform, VERAXA believes that it can leverage the extensive body of existing preclinical and clinical data generated across the industry, particularly from programs that failed due to toxicity despite demonstrating promising efficacy. AI could enable the integration and analysis of such large datasets to identify improved dual-target combinations, refine therapeutic design, and potentially rescue previously challenging or "undruggable" targets. The partnership with Ardigen will initially focus on developing AI-enabled tools and models to guide the selection process of synergistic cancer target pairs for VERAXA’s growing BiTAC portfolio.

"We see enormous potential in the application of AI processes to help guide the development strategy of our proprietary BiTAC programs," commented Christoph Antz, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of VERAXA. "Because of the nature of BiTACs, smart cancer target selection and thorough validation from the outset can have a transformative impact on future success rates and product profiles. This collaboration represents a strategic step forward in harnessing the power of AI to bring precision oncology therapies to patients faster."

(Press release, Veraxa Biotech, JUL 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234669184])

On July 13, 2026 Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL) ("Artelo" or the "Company), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signalling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, dermatologic, or neurological conditions, reported promising results from nonclinical studies in neuropathic pain with ART27.13, the Company’s proprietary peripherally restricted cannabinoid receptor agonist, currently in Phase 2 clinical development evaluating patients experiencing cancer-related anorexia cachexia syndrome (CACS).

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To determine whether ART27.13 has the potential to address neuropathic pain in cancer patients, researchers at Artelo investigated its proprietary dual cannabinoid agonist in a nonclinical model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, a debilitating side effect that affects approximately 60%-80% of patients receiving paclitaxel1.

Results demonstrated that repeated dosing with ART27.13 reduced neuropathic pain-associated behaviors (mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia) in both male and female paclitaxel-treated animals, supporting further exploration of the compound in oncology supportive care settings.

"Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy can significantly affect patient quality of life and may limit cancer treatment adherence," said George Warren, Ph.D., lead scientist at Artelo Biosciences and presenter of the pain study results at the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) 2026 Annual Symposium recently held in Dijon, France. "The results observed in this model suggest that ART27.13 may have broader applications in cancer supportive care beyond CACS. We have incorporated several pain endpoints into the Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) trial and, we look forward to reviewing these upon study completion to determine if the analgesic potential of ART27.13 in a cancer setting translates into the clinic."

CACS affects up to 80% of patients with advanced malignancies2 and is associated with reduced treatment tolerance, diminished physical functioning and poorer clinical outcomes. There are currently no FDA-approved treatment options available for CACS. ART27.13 is being evaluated in the CAReS and interim results also presented at ICRS demonstrated encouraging trends across several clinically meaningful endpoints, including improvements in body weight and lean body mass, increased activity levels, and favorable safety profile at doses up to 1300 µg/day.

"Interim CAReS results, and the new data in neuropathic pain, suggests peripheral cannabinoid receptor modulation may influence multiple pathways associated with appetite regulation, metabolism, body composition and symptom management, particularly chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, in patients with cancer," said Professor Saoirse E. O’Sullivan, Vice President of Translational Science at Artelo Biosciences and presenter of the interim results from CAReS. "Importantly, the supportive care opportunity for ART27.13 may extend beyond appetite stimulation and weight maintenance, as demonstrated by additional research presented at ICRS."

"Despite its significant impact on patient outcomes and quality of life, CACS remains an area of substantial unmet medical need with limited therapeutic options available to patients and physicians," continued Professor O’Sullivan. "The trends observed in body composition and activity measures from CAReS are particularly encouraging given the profound impact these factors can have on patients living with CACS."

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1762734/full?utm_source
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About ART27.13
ART27.13 is a novel cannabinoid receptor agonist being developed as supportive care for people with cancer experiencing anorexia and cachexia. Administered orally once daily, the treatment goals with ART27.13 are to improve appetite, body weight, and activity levels while preserving muscle and elevating quality of life. Initially developed by AstraZeneca plc, ART27.13 selectively targets peripheral cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) receptors to avoid the CNS side effects typically associated with some cannabinoids. While exhibiting a favorable safety profile at all doses in the CAReS trial, interim analysis from the blinded and randomized Phase 2 study demonstrated a mean weight gain of over 6% for participants that received the top dose of ART27.13 compared to a 5% loss in the placebo group. A weight loss of more than 5% can predict a poor outcome for cancer patients and a lower response to therapy. Currently, there areno FDA approved treatments for cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome.

About CAReS
The Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) is a Phase 1/2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the Company’s lead clinical program, ART27.13, in people with cancer experiencing anorexia and weight loss. Cancer-related anorexia, or the lack or loss of appetite in the person with cancer, may result from the cancer and/or its treatment with radiation or chemotherapy. It is common for people with cancer to lose weight. Anorexia and the resulting weight loss can affect a patient’s health, often weakening their immune system and causing discomfort and dehydration. Interim data from the Phase 2 portion of CAReS showed improvements in lean body mass, weight gain, and activity among patients treated with all doses of ART27.13, particularly at the highest dose, compared to the participants administered placebo. (ISRCTN registry: View Source)

(Press release, Artelo Biosciences, JUL 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234669183])

On July 13, 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 updated preliminary Phase 1 data for its potentially best-in-class, pan-RAS molecular glue ERAS-0015 in patients with RAS-mutant solid tumors. The Company also announced clinical development plans for the ERAS-0015 program, including potentially registration-enabling trials in lung and pancreatic cancers.

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Updated preliminary data from Erasca’s ongoing AURORAS-1 Phase 1 trial in the U.S. builds on the Company’s April 2026 announcement, with additional patients and longer follow-up.

"We believe the continued notable responses in patients with pancreatic cancer in the U.S., together with the encouraging data in lung cancer and early signal in combination with panitumumab in metastatic colorectal cancer that we have seen in Phase 1, underscore the broad potential of ERAS-0015 to become a foundational therapy for multiple RAS-mutant solid tumors," said Jonathan E. Lim, M.D., Erasca’s chairman, CEO, and co-founder. "We look forward to additional preliminary monotherapy and combination data expected in the first half of 2027. We believe that we are well positioned to execute our robust clinical development plan and transition into Phase 3 development."

Encouraging Monotherapy Responses Observed in Second Line or Greater (2L+) KRAS G12X Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)1

57% uORR8wk (N=7) at recommended dose for expansion (RDE) of 32 mg QD2
Across doses, all patients with either confirmed or unconfirmed responses remained on treatment
At RDE of 32 mg QD, 6 of 7 enrolled patients remained on treatment; at RDE of 24 mg QD, 6 of 8 enrolled patients remained on treatment

With Additional Patients and Longer Follow-up, Monotherapy Safety Data Remained Consistent with Prior Disclosure and ERAS-0015 Continued to be Generally Well-Tolerated1

Frequency and severity of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) remained consistent with the Company’s April 2026 announcement
Mostly low-grade TRAEs, no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), low rate of dose interruptions or reductions due to TRAEs, and no discontinuations due to TRAEs
Median relative dose intensity (RDI) was 100% at both 24 mg QD and 32 mg QD

Promising Combination Potential with Panitumumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (CRC), including Clearance of First Dose Escalation Cohort3

No DLTs were observed for the combination in the 16 mg cohort during dose escalation in four DLT-evaluable patients
Backfill enrollment is ongoing in the 16 mg combination cohort
Dose escalation is ongoing with continued enrollment in the 24 mg combination cohort

Accelerating Potentially Registration-Enabling Development Plans in Highest Value Indications

Initiate potentially registration-enabling trial in 2L+ NSCLC in 1H27
Initiate 1L PDAC Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2027
Initiate RASm NSCLC Phase 3 pivotal trial in 2H27-1H28

____________________
1 Data cutoff (DCO) May 25, 2026
2 The uORR8wk is the overall response rate (ORR) (confirmed and unconfirmed responses) for patients who received first dose of ERAS-0015 at least 8 weeks prior to the May 25, 2026 cutoff date
3 DCO July 6, 2026

About ERAS-0015
ERAS-0015 is an investigational, oral, highly potent pan-RAS molecular glue designed to inhibit RAS signaling with a potential best-in-class profile. Erasca is evaluating ERAS-0015 in the AURORAS-1 Phase 1 trial in patients with RAS-mutant solid tumors. Early dose escalation data in AURORAS-1 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability results, well-behaved, linear PK, and confirmed and unconfirmed partial responses in multiple patients across multiple tumor types with different RAS mutations, including confirmed partial responses at doses as low as 8 mg once daily (QD). ERAS-0015 is also designed to prevent resistance against mutant-selective inhibitors through inhibition of RAS wildtype variants. In addition, ERAS-0015 has demonstrated favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties in multiple animal species.

About ERAS-4001
ERAS-4001 is an investigational, oral, highly potent, and selective pan-KRAS inhibitor with a potential first-in-class and best-in-class profile. Erasca is evaluating ERAS-4001 in the BOREALIS-1 Phase 1 trial in patients with KRAS-mutant solid tumors. ERAS-4001 demonstrated favorable preclinical in vitro potency against KRAS G12X mutations as well as KRAS wildtype amplifications, which may limit treatment resistance mediated through KRAS wildtype activation. No activity was observed for ERAS-4001 against HRAS or NRAS wildtype proteins in preclinical studies, which may enable a better therapeutic window compared to pan-RAS inhibitors. ERAS-4001 showed potent activity against both GTP-bound (active state) and GDP-bound (inactive state) KRAS with single digit nanomolar IC50s. In vivo, ERAS-4001 induced tumor regression in multiple KRAS-mutant models. In preclinical studies, ERAS-4001 showed encouraging ADME and PK properties.

(Press release, Erasca, JUL 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234669182])

On July 13, 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 the pricing of an upsized public offering of 31,428,572 shares of its common stock. The shares of common stock are being sold to the public at a price of $17.50 per share. All of the shares of common stock to be sold in the public offering are to be sold by Erasca. The gross proceeds to Erasca from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $550.0 million. In addition, Erasca has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 4,714,285 shares of common stock at the offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on July 15, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

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Erasca intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, to fund the research and development of its product candidates and other development programs and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Jefferies, and Evercore ISI are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The securities described above are being offered by Erasca pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 13, 2026 and automatically became effective upon filing.

A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to this offering has been filed with the SEC and a final prospectus supplement relating to this offering will be filed with the SEC. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by email at [email protected] and [email protected]; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, or by email at [email protected]; Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at [email protected]; and Evercore Group L.L.C., Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10055, by telephone at (888) 474-0200, or by email at [email protected]. Electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will also be available on the website of the SEC at View Source

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or 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 jurisdiction.

(Press release, Erasca, JUL 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234669181])

On July 13, 2026 Drug Farm reported the successful first closing of its $55 million Series D financing. The financing round was co-led by Shanghai Pudong Leading Area Investment Center and Shanghai Puxing Collaborative Private Equity Fund Partnership Enterprise, with participation from new investors Tukar Capital, Fuzhou Xinhe Fund, Shenzhen Luohu Donghai Chempartner Investment Fund, and Keyuan Pharma. Existing investors, including BioVeda China Fund (BVCF), YD Capital, Jiashan State VC, Detong Capital, Wedo Capital, and Biometas, also participated in the round.

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The proceeds from the financing will support the continued advancement of Drug Farm’s clinical and preclinical stage pipeline, accelerate global clinical development programs, strengthen regulatory activities across key markets, and further expand the company’s research and development capabilities.

"The successful completion of this financing represents an important milestone in Drug Farm’s mission to develop first-in-class drugs for the world. We are pleased to welcome our new investors while receiving continued support from our long-term shareholders, reflecting strong confidence in the company’s scientific innovation, development strategy, and long-term vision. We believe this financing positions Drug Farm to create significant value for patients, partners, and shareholders in the years ahead," said Dr. Tian Xu, Founder and Chairman of Drug Farm.

Dr. Henri Lichenstein, Chief Executive Officer of Drug Farm, added, "We are delighted to complete this financing and grateful for the continued confidence and support from our investors. We are proud that DF-003 is amongst the first drugs developed with AI and entering a Phase 3 trial. The investment provides additional resources to advance DF-003 through the completion of a pivotal trial in patients with ROSAH syndrome and clinical proof of concept in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The funds will also be used to continue clinical development of DF-006 in patients with hepatitis B."

Dr. Tony Xu, Chief Operating Officer of Drug Farm, commented, "Powered by IDInVivo+ and MedChem5, our proprietary platforms combining genetics and artificial intelligence continues to discover and validate novel drug targets and rapidly advance multiple first-in-class candidates into the clinic. This financing will help us bring additional breakthrough therapies to patients with unmet needs in metabolic and autoimmune diseases."

(Press release, Drug Farm, JUL 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234669179])