ProBio’s AAV Manufacturing Excellence Powers UC Irvine and GlyTR Therapeutics First‑in‑Class pan-cancer CAR‑T Program

On July 1, 2026 The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) School of Medicine and GlyTR Therapeutics reported to have developed a next‑generation AAV‑mediated CAR T‑cell platform, GlyTR (pronounced ‘glitter’), engineered to target tumor‑associated carbohydrate antigens that are highly expressed across a broad range of cancers. Unlike traditional high‑affinity antibody based CAR designs, GlyTR uses a unique "velcro‑like" lectin binding mechanism that enables selective elimination of cancer cells while minimizing off‑tumor toxicity and expanding the potential of CAR‑T therapy into solid tumors where safety has historically been a major barrier.

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As a strategic partner to UC Irvine and GlyTR Therapeutics, ProBio successfully delivered AAV scale‑up materials to enable in vivo IND-enabling studies. The program leverages ProBio’s integrated CDMO capabilities including plasmid DNA development, GMP manufacturing, and scalable CMC expertise to de‑risk early development and accelerate the path toward clinical evaluation.

Dr. Ani Grigorian, Associate Project Scientist at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and lead scientist in this study, highlighted the impact of ProBio’s contribution: "ProBio’s GMP AAV6 product demonstrated robust on-target CAR gene insertion of ~80%, greatly surpassing the ~40% insertion efficiency with previous research grade material. ProBio’s GMP AAV6 product produced highly potent and physiologically regulated CAR T cells that were able to clear tumors in mice, a pivotal step towards bringing this new class of immunotherapeutics to humans."

The patented UC Irvine technology, licensed to GlyTR Therapeutics Inc. for commercialization, represents a first‑in‑class, pan‑cancer immunotherapy platform recently reported in Cell. Development is supported by approximately $30 million in total, and a recent $4.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

"From start to finish, we’ve been consistently impressed with ProBio’s communication, accountability, and strong sense of responsibility throughout the entire manufacturing process. They consistently delivered exactly what they promised and ultimately finished with a bang." said Dr. Michael Demetriou, Principal Investigator and Professor of Neurology and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.

"Our mission is to help innovators move from concept to clinic with speed, quality, and confidence. The success of the GlyTR AAV program demonstrates how ProBio’s scalable platforms and technical depth can de‑risk early development and accelerate translation for next‑generation cell and gene therapies." said Allen Guo, CEO from ProBio.

Preclinical findings from the GlyTR program will inform upcoming toxicology studies and clinical strategy. The team is now focused on clinical trial preparation and IND submission, representing a key value‑inflection milestone for the program. The clinical studies will be conducted collaboratively between the UC Irvine’s Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UC Irvine Alpha Clinic, the clinical trial arm of the stem cell research center.

(Press release, University of California Irvine, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669042])

Intensity Therapeutics Provides Mid-Year Update Highlighting Late-Stage Development Programs and Strategic Partnering Opportunities for INT230-6

On July 1, 2026 Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. ("Intensity" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: INTS), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel intratumoral cancer therapies that are designed to kill tumors and increase immune system recognition of cancers using its proprietary non-covalent conjugation technology, reported a mid-year update highlighting the Company’s late-stage development programs and growing strategic partnering focus for INT230-6. During the first half of 2026, Intensity advanced key clinical and regulatory priorities, strengthened its balance sheet, expanded business development engagement with potential pharmaceutical collaborators and continued building the clinical and scientific foundation for INT230-6 as a differentiated oncology product.

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"Intensity’s human clinical data, peer-reviewed publications, late-stage clinical programs and active regulatory engagement in both the U.S. and Europe have progressed nicely in the past 12 months. Our priority now is to execute and advance our clinical programs, generate meaningful data, publish results, preserve financial flexibility and evaluate partnering opportunities to accelerate development, increase stockholder value and ultimately increase the potential impact of INT230-6 for cancer patients and their caregivers," said Lewis H. Bender, Intensity Therapeutics President and Chief Executive Officer. "We also believe INT230-6 is increasingly positioned as a partnerable oncology platform with potential relevance across difficult-to-treat solid tumors, therapeutic combination-treatment settings, and broader platform-based collaborations."

Clinical Progress Across INT230-6 Programs

During the first half of 2026, Intensity continued to advance its clinical development priorities across both breast cancer and soft tissue sarcoma.

In the Company’s Phase 2 INVINCIBLE-4 study in presurgical triple-negative breast cancer ("TNBC"), Intensity reported favorable preliminary observations from a small patient sample evaluating INT230-6 prior to standard-of-care immunochemotherapy compared with standard-of-care therapy alone. The Company previously reported that five of seven patients receiving INT230-6 prior to standard of care achieved a pathological complete response, compared with two of six evaluable patients in the standard-of-care arm, with one patient still to be evaluated. The Company also reported 44% fewer grade 3 or higher adverse events in the INT230-6 cohort compared with the standard-of-care arm.

While these observations remain preliminary and from a limited patient population, management believes these observations are important because they support the central clinical thesis of INT230-6: the potential to enhance anti-tumor activity while preserving or potentially improving tolerability when used in combination with existing treatment regimens.

In March 2026, a protocol amendment was submitted to Swissmedic and the Swiss Ethics Committee. Full approval to resume enrollment in the INVINCIBLE-4 study was granted on March 26, 2026, and we plan to resume enrollment in the third quarter of 2026 in Switzerland and France as part of its Phase 2/3 development strategy for presurgical TNBC.

In soft tissue sarcoma, the Company paused new site activations and patient enrollments in the Phase 3 INVINCIBLE-3 study in March 2025 due to funding constraints. In April 2026, the Company announced it will resume enrollment of the INVINCIBLE-3 study in a limited number of U.S. sites. The INVINCIBLE-3 study is designed to evaluate INT230-6 as monotherapy compared with standard-of-care drugs in second- and third-line treatment for specific soft tissue sarcoma subtypes, with overall survival as the primary endpoint.

The decision to resume enrollment in the INVINCIBLE-3 and INVINCIBLE-4 studies reflects management’s continued conviction in the scientific rationale and clinical potential of INT230-6 in difficult-to-treat tumors where available treatment options remain limited, and patient outcomes remain poor.

Peer-Reviewed Publications Validate Scientific Foundation and Platform

Intensity’s progress is supported by a clinical foundation that now includes more than 200 patients enrolled across completed INT230-6 studies, including a Phase 1/2 dose escalation study in metastatic cancers and a randomized Phase 2 study in locally advanced breast cancer.

The Company previously announced a peer-reviewed publication in eBioMedicine, a Lancet Discovery Science journal, which represented an important validation point for the INT230-6 drug product. The publication reported clinical observations in advanced solid tumors, including evidence of disease control, survival outcomes in certain patient subsets and signs of systemic immune engagement, including observations consistent with abscopal effects in patients receiving higher levels of tumor burden treatment.

Management believes this growing body of evidence distinguishes INT230-6 from conventional intratumoral approaches. Rather than relying solely on localized injection effects, Intensity’s strategy is designed around the ability to saturate tumors, kill cancer cells, release neoantigens and potentially activate systemic anti-tumor immunity. The Company is seeking to further report clinical data from two completed studies in the second half of 2026 in other peer-reviewed publications.

Partnering and Collaborations Initiatives

Intensity’s recent business development activity reflects growing awareness of INT230-6 among potential pharmaceutical collaborators. At the 2026 BIO International Convention ("BIO") in San Diego, the Company participated in more than 20 partnering discussions, primarily with regionally focused pharmaceutical companies, as well as several global pharmaceutical companies. Management also engaged with companies prior to the BIO conference. Many of these meetings were requested by potential partners, which management believes underscores the strategic relevance of INT230-6 as a differentiated oncology product. While the process is in the early stages, the Company intends to continue actively exploring and evaluating potential partnering and collaboration opportunities that may support the advancement of INT230-6 across priority indications, new indications, geographies, stages of disease and treatment settings, while maintaining disciplined execution and continued data generation with a goal of accelerating long-term stockholder value creation.

Strengthened Balance Sheet and Capital Flexibility

The Company entered 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $11.9 million as of December 31, 2025. In March 2026, the Company established a $60 million at-the-market facility and has effectively and opportunistically raised capital during the first half of 2026 to fund operations. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $10.2 million.

This strengthened financial position is expected to support Intensity’s near-term development priorities while providing flexibility as the Company evaluates potential strategic collaborations. Management believes maintaining capital discipline is important to preserving optionality and negotiating from a position of greater strength.

About INT230-6
INT230-6, Intensity’s lead proprietary investigational product candidate, is designed for direct intratumoral injection. INT230-6 was discovered using Intensity’s proprietary DfuseRx℠ technology platform. The drug consists of two proven, potent anti-cancer agents, cisplatin and vinblastine sulfate, and a diffusion and cell penetration enhancer molecule ("SHAO") that non-covalently conjugates to the two payload drugs, facilitating the dispersion of potent cytotoxic drugs throughout tumors and allowing the active agents to diffuse into cancer cells. These agents remain in the tumor, resulting in a favorable safety profile. In addition to local disease control and direct tumor killing, INT230-6 causes a release of a bolus of neoantigens specific to the malignancy, leading to immune system engagement and systemic anti-tumor effects. Importantly, these effects are mediated without immunosuppression, which often occurs with systemic chemotherapy.

(Press release, Intensity Therapeutics, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669041])

Caris Life Sciences Launches Caris Detect, the World’s Most Sensitive and Comprehensive Multi-Cancer Early Detection Blood Test

On July 1, 2026 Caris Life Sciences (NASDAQ: CAI), a leading patient-centric, next-generation AI TechBio company and precision medicine pioneer, reported the commercial launch of Caris Detect, a groundbreaking multi-cancer early detection blood test designed to uncover cancer signals at earlier, more treatable stages.

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Caris Detect is engineered to push the boundaries of what is possible in early cancer detection. Using ultra-deep Whole Genome Sequencing, Whole Transcriptome Sequencing and advanced artificial intelligence, the test analyzes a broad spectrum of molecular and biological signals associated with cancer, offering a more comprehensive approach than technologies that rely on limited genomic snapshots. Caris Detect’s intended goal is to replace other outdated screening methods as the new standard of care for early detection of cancer.

"Early detection remains one of the most urgent and consequential challenges in oncology," said David Dean Halbert, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Caris Life Sciences. "Caris Detect represents a major step forward in our mission to transform cancer care through the most advanced molecular science available. By combining unmatched biological depth with sophisticated AI, we are giving physicians and patients a powerful new tool to help identify cancer earlier and support more informed clinical decisions."

Unlike earlier approaches that evaluate only a narrow subset of genomic changes, Caris Detect examines the full breadth of genomic and molecular signals, including DNA, RNA and other biological patterns. This deeper, more comprehensive analysis is designed to improve confidence in identifying cancer signals at their earliest stages, when intervention may have the greatest impact.

Caris Detect is powered by Caris’ expansive molecular profiling database, which includes more than one million cases and over 50 billion molecular markers. This unparalleled dataset enables highly sophisticated AI models to detect subtle signals associated with early-stage disease across multiple cancer types.

The launch of Caris Detect builds on data from the Caris Detect ACHIEVE 1 study, which demonstrated strong performance characteristics in detecting cancer signals across multiple cancer types. This data supports Caris Detect as a tool in Caris’ vision to redefine early detection and improve patient outcomes.

Caris continues to advance its early detection platform through ongoing research and future study milestones designed to further strengthen the clinical evidence base and expand the test’s capabilities over time.

Individuals may learn more about Caris Detect by visiting CarisDetect.com, where information regarding eligibility, physician involvement and the testing process is provided.

(Press release, Caris Life Sciences, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669040])

Abbisko Therapeutics and AstraZeneca Enter a Strategic Collaboration to Conduct the Clinical Trial of Lumipodlin (ABSK043), a First-in-Class Oral PD-L1 Inhibitor, in Combination with TAGRISSO® for NSCLC

On July 1, 2026 Abbisko Therapeutics Co., Ltd. ("Abbisko Therapeutics" hereafter, HKEX code: 02256.HK) reported that it has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) to jointly advance the clinical development of a novel IO-TKI combination therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As a multicenter, open-label Phase I/II clinical study, the combination will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Abbisko’s first-in-class oral small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitor, lumipodlin (ABSK043), in combination with AstraZeneca’s third-generation EGFR-TKI, TAGRISSO (osimertinib), for the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated and PD-L1 positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. On May 20, 2026, the investigational new drug (IND) application for the combination study was cleared by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). This Phase II study will be led by Abbisko, and both Abbisko and AstraZeneca will share responsibilities for the clinical trial.

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Lumipodlin is a potentially first-in-class oral small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor with unique properties beyond its route of administration. Currently, third-generation EGFR-TKIs represented by osimertinib have become the front-line standard of care for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. However, patients with EGFR-mutant and high PD-L1 expression derive less benefit from EGFR-TKIs than those with low or negative PD-L1 expression[1],[2]. There is a long-standing unmet medical need for patients with EGFR mutated, PD-L1 positive NSCLC.

References
[1] Brown H, Vansteenkiste J, Nakagawa K, et al. Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in untreated EGFR mutated advanced NSCLC and response to osimertinib versus comparator in FLAURA. J Thorac Oncol. 2020;15(1):138–143.

[2] Niu J, Jing X, Xu Q, et al. Strong PD-L1 affect clinical outcomes in advanced NSCLC treated with third-generation EGFR-TKIs. Future Oncol. 2024;20(32):2481-2490.

About Lumipodlin (ABSK043)
Lumipodlin is a novel, orally bioavailable, highly selective small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor independently developed and wholly owned by Abbisko Therapeutics. Tumor cells can exploit immune checkpoints such as PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 to evade immune detection and clearance, thereby suppressing or limiting T-cell responses. Lumipodlin selectively binds to the PD-L1 receptor and induces its internalization from the cell surface, effectively inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and alleviating PD-L1-mediated suppression of T-cell activation. In preclinical models, lumipodlin has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy comparable to approved PD-L1 antibodies. While several PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies have been approved worldwide, there are currently no approved orally bioavailable PD-1/PD-L1 small molecule drugs. Lumipodlin is currently being explored in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial for advanced solid tumors in Australia and China.

About Tagrisso
Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI with proven clinical activity in EGFRm NSCLC, including against central nervous system metastases. Tagrisso (40mg and 80mg QD oral tablets) has been used to treat more than one million patients across its indications worldwide and AstraZeneca continues to explore Tagrisso as a treatment for patients across multiple stages of EGFRm NSCLC.

(Press release, Abbisko Therapeutics, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669039])

Insilico Medicine Announces Collaboration with Takeda to Advance Strategic AI Drug Discovery

On July 1, 2026 Insilico Medicine ("Insilico" HKEX:3696), a leader in clinical-stage generative AI for drug discovery, reported a strategic collaboration agreement with Takeda to use its proprietary end-to-end platform, Pharma.AI, to advance drug candidates across the company’s therapeutic areas.

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The collaboration is designed to identify clinically differentiated drug candidates for promising therapeutic targets. Using advanced generative models from the earliest stages of design, the teams aim to improve the quality of candidate molecules and optimize them to achieve best-in-class efficacy and safety criteria.

Under the agreement, Insilico will lead AI-driven discovery to identify molecules meeting predefined scientific and early development criteria, while Takeda will apply its global development capabilities to advance selected candidates through clinical validation.

"I am excited to partner with one of the top leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry with massive competence in generative AI," said Alex Zhavoronkov, Ph.D., founder, CEO and CBO of Insilico Medicine. "As we deepen the integration of generative AI into every stage of the pharma value chain, I believe the future of pharmaceutical superintelligence has the potential to deliver the highest quality and differentiated drugs. This is a fundamental step on our journey toward extension of healthy productive life."

"By combining Takeda’s deep disease biology expertise with Insilico’s AI-enabled discovery capabilities, this collaboration seeks to deliver meaningful treatment options for patients by identifying clinically differentiated therapies," said Chris Arendt, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Research at Takeda. "The partnership also supports Takeda’s transition to an AI-native discovery model, as we integrate automation, robotics, and generative AI to advance high-quality candidates more efficiently."

Under the agreement, Insilico will receive approximately $60 million in project initiation fees, near-term payments and milestones, and is eligible for success-based preclinical, clinical, commercial and sales milestone payments that could bring the total deal value to approximately $600 million, plus tiered royalties on future sales.

The agreement grants Takeda exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize novel therapeutics selected through the collaboration.

(Press release, Insilico Medicine, JUL 1, 2026, View Source [SID1234669038])