On February 20, 2026 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) ("Calidi" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company pioneering the development of targeted genetic medicines, reported data on its novel approach to the use of BiTEs in solid tumors by utilizing its systemically delivered RedTail platform at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Immuno-Oncology (AACR-IO) conference being held in Los Angeles, California. A link to the poster is available here and on the company’s website.

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RedTail is Calidi’s systemically delivered virotherapy platform designed to selectively target tumors, remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), and enable high-level expression of therapeutic genetic payloads directly within the tumor. CLD-401, the lead candidate derived from the RedTail platform, is engineered to express high levels of IL‑15 superagonist (IL-15 SA), a known T-cell activator, in the TME.

In data presented at the meeting, Calidi demonstrated RedTail viruses that could express both a functional BiTE, capable of binding targeted solid tumor cells, and IL-15 SA at high concentrations, allowing for simultaneous alteration of the TME and T-cell activation and introduction into the TME of a solid-tumor targeting BiTE. BiTEs have shown exceptional efficacy in hematological malignancies but have failed to show clinical benefit in solid tumors where the TME inhibits T-cell activity. By remodeling the TME and driving T-cell activation while expressing a tumor-localized BiTE, RedTail may overcome the historical limitations of BiTEs in solid tumors.

"The RedTail platform allows for the systemic and targeted delivery of genetic payloads to distal sites of disease," said Eric Poma, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Calidi. "Once at the target, RedTail can induce high levels of expression of one or more genetic payloads, representing a major advance in the delivery of genetic medicines."

"The data presented today highlight the ability of the RedTail platform to functionally overexpress complex biologics likes BiTEs and cytokines directly within the tumor microenvironment" said Antonio F. Santidrian, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Technical Operations at Calidi. "Simultaneous tumor-localized expression of a T-cell activator and BiTE via RedTail can remodel the TME to allow for T-cell engagement precisely where it is needed."

Calidi is currently conducting IND-enabling studies with CLD-401, the first lead candidate from its RedTail platform. The company anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CLD-401 by the end of 2026. The Company continues to expand the functionality of the RedTail platform and is also actively pursuing strategic partnerships to accelerate clinical development and broaden the impact of its RedTail platform.

(Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, FEB 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234662815])