New Chemotherapy-Free Immunotherapy Combination for Follicular Lymphoma Listed on the PBS

On August 2, 2026 Specialised Therapeutics (ST) reported the listing of Minjuvi (tafasitamab), in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide, on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of Australian adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) (Grade 1-3a).[1] This milestone follows the Australian registration of Minjuvi for R/R FL by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in April 2026, via the Project Orbis process.[6]

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The PBS listing of Minjuvi marks the availability of the first and only chemotherapy-free CD19 and CD20 dual-targeted immunotherapy combination regimen funded in Australia for this group of patients.[1],[2] Effective 1 August 2026, eligible patients with FL who have experienced relapses or disease progression on existing therapies will now have equitable access to a new treatment option for this difficult-to-treat condition.[1]

"As the first new therapy to be reimbursed on the PBS for R/R FL in nine years, we are extremely proud to have partnered with Incyte to bring Minjuvi to Australia," said Carlo Montagner, ST Chief Executive Officer. "After securing TGA registration for Minjuvi in R/R FL earlier this year, we have been focused on expediting PBS listing to ensure eligible Australian patients could have subsidised access to a new treatment option that may help lower the risk of disease progression, relapse or death, without delay."

ST entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) in 2021 to commercialise Minjuvi in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Minjuvi is a CD19 targeting immunotherapy that works within a patient’s immune system to help find and eliminate malignant B-cells.[7] In combination with rituximab and lenalidomide, Minjuvi delivers a complementary immune-mediated approach that helps control disease progression and supports improved long-term outcomes for patients with follicular lymphoma.[7]

The PBS reimbursement underscores the growing recognition of innovative immunotherapy-based treatment strategies in follicular lymphoma and reinforces ST’s commitment to improving access to life-changing therapies for patients across the Asia-Pacific region.

"While follicular lymphoma can be a slow-growing disease that usually responds well to the first treatment, most patients are not cured. Many patients experience frequent relapses and require multiple therapies over their lifetime, which become progressively less effective, especially for those whose disease comes back soon after initial chemotherapy treatment," said Associate Professor Philip Thompson, Clinical Haematologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne. "Today’s PBS listing announcement is welcome news for the Australian clinical and patient community, providing us with a new, chemotherapy-free immunotherapy treatment for R/R FL."

Minjuvi is administered via intravenous (IV) infusion in a clinic or hospital setting.[7] Patients with R/R FL receive up to 12 treatment cycles of Minjuvi, along with oral lenalidomide capsules, while rituximab is delivered intravenously for the first five cycles.[7]

"Knowing that a chemotherapy-free immunotherapy is now funded by the PBS is an important development for the follicular lymphoma community," said Sharon Winton, Chief Executive Officer of Lymphoma Australia. "As patients manage the challenges of recurring disease, this new treatment milestone offers a valuable option that is deeply meaningful to them and their families."

The PBS listing of Minjuvi for R/R FL means these patients will now have equitable access to a new targeted immunotherapy combination treatment when they need it. It is important that patients with R/R FL speak with their doctor to understand the most suitable treatment option available for them.

For further details on Minjuvi, contact your healthcare professional and please refer to the approved Australian Consumer Medicine Information or Product Information available from the TGA website.

(Press release, Specialised Therapeutics Australia, AUG 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234669594])

GlycoNex Doses First Patient in Phase I Trial of GNX1021, Advancing Its Glycan-Directed ADC into Clinical Development

On August 2, 2026 GlycoNex Inc. (TPEx: 4168) reported that the first patient has been successfully dosed in the First-in-Human (FIH) Phase I clinical trial of GNX1021, the Company’s novel glycan-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), in Japan. The milestone marks GNX1021’s transition into clinical development and initiates the generation of the first human data for the Company’s lead oncology asset.

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The start of dosing represents an important value inflection point for GlycoNex. It advances GNX1021 from preclinical development into the clinic, reducing development uncertainty, increasing the maturity of the asset, and establishing the foundation for clinical safety, pharmacokinetic and early activity data that will define the program’s future direction and strengthen its positioning for strategic collaboration.

GNX1021 is directed at the branched Lewis B/Y (bLeB/Y) glycan antigen, which is highly expressed in gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies while showing limited expression in normal tissue. Rather than targeting a single protein receptor — the approach taken by most ADCs currently in development — GNX1021 recognizes a tumor-associated glycan structure presented across multiple carrier molecules on the cancer-cell surface. This differentiated mechanism is designed to broaden the pool of addressable targets, enhance tumor selectivity, and address the therapeutic challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity, positioning GNX1021 distinctly within a competitive ADC landscape. GNX1021 is the lead program to emerge from GlycoNex’s proprietary GlycoSH anti-glycan antibody library, which continues to generate a pipeline of glycan-directed ADCs and related candidates.

The FIH study is a multinational, multicenter Phase I trial being conducted in Japan and Taiwan in patients with advanced solid tumors, evaluating GNX1021 across multiple dose levels for safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, preliminary anti-tumor activity, and the recommended dose for subsequent development. Data from the study are expected to inform dose selection and the future development strategy for GNX1021, including its potential evaluation in selected gastrointestinal cancer populations.

GlycoNex intends to explore potential regional and global licensing, co-development, and other strategic collaboration opportunities for GNX1021. The Company will continue to advance the program within its broader glycan-directed oncology pipeline and assess the development and partnership strategies most appropriate for its long-term clinical and commercial development.

"Dosing the first patient in the GNX1021 Phase I trial is a major achievement for GlycoNex and an important value inflection point for our oncology portfolio," said Dr. Mei-Chun Yang, President and CEO of GlycoNex. "GNX1021 is designed to address tumor-associated glycan structures that conventional protein-targeted therapies may not adequately capture. Advancing this differentiated program into the clinic allows us to evaluate its potential in patients while building a stronger foundation for future development and strategic collaboration."

(Press release, GlycoNex, AUG 2, 2026, View Source [SID1234669593])