On April 9, 2026 Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (hereinafter referred to as "Gan & Lee", SSE: 603087) reported the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with JW Pharmaceutical, a leading pharmaceutical company in South Korea. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate on the clinical development, regulatory filing, and commercialization in South Korea of Bofanglutide Injection, a bi-weekly (once every two weeks) Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1RA) independently discovered and developed by Gan & Lee.

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Under the terms of the agreement, JW Pharmaceutical will be granted the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Bofanglutide Injection in South Korea. Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals will receive a one-time, non-refundable upfront payment of USD 5 million. Additionally, Gan & Lee is eligible to receive milestone payments totaling USD 76.1 million, contingent upon research and development progress, regulatory approvals, and commercialization achievements. Following the product’s commercial launch, Gan & Lee will also receive tiered royalties based on net sales. The total potential transaction value reaches up to USD 81.1 million (excluding royalties).

This collaboration marks the third overseas out-licensing deal for Gan & Lee’s Bofanglutide Injection, following previous partnerships in Latin America and India. According to data from Grand View Research, the GLP-1RA market in the Asia-Pacific region reached USD 5.47 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 16.95 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% [1], making it one of the fastest-growing regions globally. Currently, the treatment penetration rate of GLP-1 drugs remains extremely low, indicating massive growth potential. As a mature market in the Asia-Pacific region, South Korea’s GLP-1RA market size reached USD 526 million in 2025 and is expected to increase to USD 1.6 billion by 2033 [2]. With its high acceptance of innovative drugs and strong patient purchasing power, the South Korean market has become a strategic foothold for multinational pharmaceutical companies entering East Asia. This collaboration marks another key step in the rapid global expansion of Gan & Lee’s differentiated bi–weekly GLP–1RA, Bofanglutide.

Steady Progress in Global Phase III Clinical Trials; Bi-weekly Dosing Regimen Significantly Enhances Patient Compliance

Currently, as the world’s first bi-weekly GLP-1RA to enter Phase III clinical research, Bofanglutide has advanced into the critical Phase III stage of its global development for three proposed indications: obesity/overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Existing clinical data demonstrate that Bofanglutide can effectively reduce body weight and blood glucose levels while comprehensively improving other metabolic parameters, yielding overall metabolic benefits. Its safety and tolerability profiles are consistent with other GLP-1RA class therapies. The bi-weekly dosing regimen further reduces the annual number of injections by 50% compared to mainstream once-weekly GLP-1RAs. This is anticipated to substantially boost patient adherence, offering a more convenient treatment option for the long-term, effective management of metabolic diseases.

As the global burden of metabolic diseases continues to rise, GLP-1 therapies are encountering tremendous market opportunities. South Korea, as one of the world’s key pharmaceutical markets, exhibits a robust demand for innovative diabetes and weight-loss therapies. This collaboration will effectively address the clinical and commercial needs of the South Korean market for highly efficacious and convenient treatment regimens.

"This partnership with JW Pharmaceutical marks another pivotal step in the globalization strategy for Bofanglutide," stated Dr. Zhi Li, Chief Business Officer of Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals. "GLP-1 therapies are reshaping the global treatment landscape for metabolic diseases. The convenience of Bofanglutide’s bi-weekly dosing and its compelling clinical benefits will help address the unmet medical needs of South Korean patients. With over 80 years of experience, JW brings deep development and commercial expertise in metabolic diseases—a key factor in our decision to partner with JW."

Young-sub Shin, CEO of JW Pharmaceutical, commented: "This agreement represents a significant milestone in expanding our product portfolio within the rapidly growing therapeutic area of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity. JW Pharmaceutical will leverage its established expertise in clinical development and regulatory execution, remaining committed to advancing the development and commercialization of Gan & Lee’s Bofanglutide in South Korea, thereby bringing innovative treatment options to South Korean patients."

About Bofanglutide

Bofanglutide Injection (GZR18), independently developed by Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, is a bi-weekly administered GLP-1RA designed for the treatment of obesity/overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and other metabolic diseases. Clinical research data indicates that Bofanglutide can effectively reduce body weight and lower blood glucose levels, while comprehensively improving other metabolic parameters. With safety and tolerability profiles consistent with the GLP-1RA class of drugs, it is poised to potentially become the world’s first commercially available bi-weekly GLP-1RA. Currently, the global development of Bofanglutide Injection has entered the Phase III clinical research stage.

(Press release, Gan and Lee Pharmaceuticals, APR 9, 2026, View Source;lee-pharmaceuticals-signs-exclusive-license-agreement-with-jw-pharmaceutical-the-leading-south-korean-pharma-to-advance-the-global-commercialization-of-the-innovative-glp-1-receptor-agonist-bofanglutide-302738066.html [SID1234664278])

On April 9, 2026 Alpheus Medical, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company, reported the initiation of its Phase 2b randomized controlled trial in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (nGBM) with 10 patients enrolled to date and additional clinical sites continuing to come online.

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Glioblastoma is a highly infiltrative brain tumor in which cancer cells extend beyond the visible tumor margins and spread throughout the brain hemisphere, limiting the effectiveness of surgery and localized therapies.

To address this challenge, the Alpheus study is evaluating an investigational therapy based on Porphyrin Metabolite Activation (PoMA), an approach previously described in the literature as Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT). This drug-centered approach leverages a molecule that preferentially accumulates in tumor cells, followed by activation using low-intensity ultrasound to enable localized pharmacologic effects. The treatment is designed to act within tumor cells throughout the affected hemisphere.

"Glioblastoma patients have few effective treatment options and poor long-term outcomes, highlighting the urgent need for innovation," said David Reardon, MD, Director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Principal Investigator of the study. "Alpheus’ approach is designed to address the diffuse nature of the disease by enabling treatment across the affected hemisphere. We look forward to generating data to understand its potential role in patient care."

"The Phase 2b trial marks an important step forward in bringing our new therapeutic approach to patients with glioblastoma," said Vijay Agarwal, MD, FAANS, FCNS, Chief Executive Officer of Alpheus Medical. "We believe our drug-centered approach has the potential to address the diffuse nature of the disease in ways that localized treatment cannot. With strong early enrollment, we are focused on generating the randomized clinical data to advance this therapy."

About the Therapy and Trial
Alpheus Medical is developing a novel therapeutic approach based on Porphyrin Metabolite Activation (PoMA), a drug-centered strategy that leverages a molecule that preferentially accumulates in tumor cells, followed by activation using low-intensity, diffuse ultrasound designed to enable treatment across the affected hemisphere, achieving localized pharmacologic effects. Previously described in clinical literature as SDT, this non-invasive approach is intended to activate the molecule directly within tumor cells while minimizing systemic exposure.

The company’s Phase 2b study (NCT07225621) is a multi-center, randomized trial expected to enroll more than 100 newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients at up to 15 U.S and European sites. Eligible patients have undergone resection and standard radiochemotherapy. The study compares standard of care alone to standard of care plus investigational therapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) with key secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), safety, and tolerability.

For patients and caregivers seeking more information about the study and enrolling sites, visit www.BrainCancerTrial.com.

(Press release, Alpheus Medical, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664277])

On April 9, 2026 Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Limited ("Oricell"), a global clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering innovative cancer immunotherapies, reported the cumulative closing of a pre-IPO financing round in excess of $110 million. The round was co-led by Vivo Capital, Beijing Medical and Health Care Industry Investment Fund, Qiming Venture Partners, and a leading global healthcare fund. The syndicate included an international sovereign wealth fund, E-Town Capital, Luxin Venture Capital, NGS Super, Elikon Investment, and Talon Capital.

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Proceeds will be strategically allocated to accelerate Oricell’s global expansion and clinical development, while strengthening its technological capabilities and paving the way to capital market milestones.

As a frontrunner in cell therapy, OriCell is focused on engineering CAR-Ts with global clinical impact, having already secured confirmatory proof-of-concept (POC) data across multiple pipelines. By leveraging its proprietary triad: the OriAb antibody screening and engineering platform, the OriArmoring functional enhancement platform, and the OnGo (Fast) rapid CMC manufacturing expertise, the company has built a differentiated portfolio that positions it at the vanguard of the global CAR-T race.

OriCell’s lead asset, Ori-C101, is a GPC3-targeted autologous CAR-T therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Having successfully navigated investigator-initiated trials (IIT) and a registrational Phase 1 study, the program is now gearing up for pivotal trials. Clinical readouts have demonstrated a best-in-class efficacy and safety profile, with data highlighted at major forums including the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. With these promising results, Ori-C101 is positioned to become the first-in-class CAR-T therapy approved globally for HCC.

Beyond its lead asset, Oricell is aggressively advancing a diverse portfolio of next-generation modalities, including secreted, rapid-production, and in vivo CAR-T programs.

Dr. Huanfeng Yang, Chairman and CEO of Oricell Therapeutics, stated: "This financing is a testament to the global potential of our science and the dedication of our team. As we approach key inflection points in our clinical programs, our priority is clear: expedite the global development of our core assets and deepening our research into revolutionary technologies, including in vivo CAR-T and solid tumor CAR-T. We are committed to delivering transformative therapies that offer real hope to cancer patients worldwide, positioning Oricell as a dominant force in the global immunotherapy arena."

Mr. Shan Fu, Managing Partner at Vivo Capital, commented: "While cell therapy is undoubtedly the future of oncology, solid tumors remain the industry’s toughest nut to crack. Oricell distinguishes itself not just through best-in-class clinical data for its GPC3 CAR-T, but also through a pragmatic and visionary roadmap for next-generation modalities like in vivo CAR-T. We have high conviction in their integrated ‘Platform and Pipeline’ strategy and believe they are poised to set the new standard of care in the field. Vivo Capital is eager to deploy our global network to accelerate Oricell’s expansion into international markets."

Mr. William Hu, Managing Partner at Qiming Venture Partners, stated: "As an early investor that has stood with Oricell since the Pre-A round, we have witnessed every milestone of its journey—from technological exploration to pipeline realization, and from local innovation to global expansion. We look forward to Oricell leveraging breakthrough cell therapy solutions and stronger clinical data to define the next generation of cancer care, bringing hope to patients worldwide."

(Press release, OriCell Therapeutics, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664276])

On April 9, 2026 Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO) is a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics using its proprietary INTASYL gene silencing technology to eliminate cancer, reported that Robert Bitterman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, will present at the Centri Capital Conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Nasdaq Marketsite in New York City. The presentation will also be available via a virtual webcast.

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During the session, Mr. Bitterman will discuss Phio’s recent clinical progress and future growth strategy, with a focus on the potential of INTASYL as a novel and differentiated approach in the field of immuno-oncology.

"We are excited to participate in the Centri Capital Conference and discuss why we believe that INTASYL PH-762 represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC)," said Robert Bitterman, CEO and Chairman of Phio Pharmaceuticals.

Registration Details:
Interested participants can register for the in-person or virtual event using the conference registration link provided by Centri Capital
Webcast Link: Phio Pharmaceuticals – Presentation
Event and Location: Centri Capital Conference, 151 W 43rd Street New York NY 10036
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time

"The companies involved with the Centri Capital Conference embody the innovation and diversity shaping today’s capital markets," says Michael Aiello, CEO & Managing Partner of Centri. "We are excited to welcome them to Nasdaq for investor 1:1 meetings and meaningful exchanges with leaders from across the industry."

(Press release, Phio Pharmaceuticals, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664275])

On April 9. 2026 Kura Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KURA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on precision medicines for the treatment of cancer, reported it will present updated data from its ongoing FIT-001 clinical trial (NCT 06026410) evaluating darlifarnib (KO-2806) in combination with cabozantinib in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma at the International Kidney Cancer Symposium (IKCS) Europe 2026 in Paris, France.

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The data to be presented build on earlier findings from the FIT-001 study reported at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, where the combination of darlifarnib and cabozantinib demonstrated encouraging clinical activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

IKCS Europe 2026 Presentation Details

Title: Farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) darlifarnib (KO-2806) combined with cabozantinib (cabo) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients after prior exposure to cabo: Preliminary Phase 1 results from FIT-001

Abstract Session: 7
Date: April 17, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. CEST

Virtual Investor Event
Kura will host a webcast and conference call on April 17, 2026, at 7:30 am PT / 10:30 am ET / 4:30 pm CEST featuring management and a clinical investigator from the darlifarnib program. The live webcast and replay will be available on the Company’s website at www.kuraoncology.com under the Investors tab in the Events and Presentations section.

About darlifarnib
Darlifarnib is a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) designed to inhibit farnesylation of RHEB and suppress mTORC1 signaling. This mechanism has potential to enhance the activity of multiple targeted therapies, including VEGFR-targeted therapies such as cabozantinib.

(Press release, Kura Oncology, APR 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234664274])