On August 11, 2026 Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a potentially transformative first-in-class therapy for patients with ocular cancers, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, and provided a business update.

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"Completing enrollment in our Phase 3 CoMpass trial of bel-sar for early choroidal melanoma positions us well for the next phase of our company’s evolution to become a leading ocular oncology company," said Natalie Holles, Chief Executive Officer of Aura Biosciences. "Given the promising therapeutic profile of bel-sar and the significant unmet need for a new treatment in this field, we are prioritizing our efforts and resources on delivering meaningful development milestones, providing ocular oncologists with frontline, vision-preserving treatment options for patients, and creating long-term value for shareholders."

Recent Business Highlights

Early Choroidal Melanoma

The Phase 3 CoMpass trial, the first registration-enabling study in patients with early choroidal melanoma, is fully enrolled with 108 patients, which exceeded the enrollment target. Topline data from the 15-month primary endpoint remain on track for the second half of 2027, consistent with previously communicated guidance.

The trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reflecting alignment with the FDA on the trial design and planned analyses to support a potential Biologics License Application (BLA). If successful, belzupacap sarotalocan (bel-sar) has the potential to become the first approved frontline vision-preserving therapy for patients with early choroidal melanoma, providing a meaningful new treatment option where no FDA-approved drug therapies currently exist.

Additional Ocular Oncology Programs

Aura continues to advance the clinical development of bel-sar in metastases to the choroid and cancers of the ocular surface. The Company is increasing resources directed toward both programs to support more robust clinical data generation in support of future development. Aura expects to provide an update on both programs, including guidance on study completion, in Q1 2027.

NMIBC Program Update

Interim data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2 dose-escalation study of bel-sar in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) demonstrate an encouraging early clinical profile. Among intermediate-risk patients treated with bel-sar alone (n=8) or with TURBT (n=8), 81% of patients achieved an objective response at 3 months, including 69% with a complete response at that timepoint. Responses have shown strong early durability: among evaluable patients who have reached the 9- (n=4) or 12-months (n=3) timepoints, 100% of evaluable patients remain disease-free at time of assessment. Three-month data collection is ongoing in the high-risk cohorts.

Bel-sar continues to demonstrate a favorable safety profile, with all treatment-related adverse events limited to Grade 1 events, no dose-limiting toxicities, and no treatment-related serious adverse events. These data provide encouraging early clinical proof-of-concept for intratumoral delivery of bel-sar and support the potential utility of this route of administration for ocular cancers.

While these early data are encouraging, as part of its strategic refocus on ocular oncology, the Company is minimizing resource allocation toward the NMIBC program on a going forward basis. The Company remains committed to the care of patients and intends to complete data collection through the protocol-defined 12-month follow-up period to preserve optionality for value creation in the context of future potential strategic discussions.

Organizational and Leadership Updates

Aura has streamlined its operating plan and organizational structure to focus resources in ocular oncology, including a reduction in force of approximately 20% of the workforce. Together with disciplined capital allocation, these actions are expected to extend the Company’s projected cash runway into the first half of 2029 to support execution of the Phase 3 CoMpass trial, advancement of its additional ocular oncology programs and preparation for potential commercialization.

Aura reported the appointments of Susan Abu-Absi as Chief Operating Officer, Erica Kratz as Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer, and Julie Person as Chief People Officer. As previously announced on July 8, 2026, Jeremy Bender also joined the Company’s Board of Directors.

"I am thrilled to welcome Susan, Erica and Julie to Aura," said Natalie Holles. "As we sharpen our focus on ocular oncology and advance bel-sar toward potential BLA filing, we are building a fit-for-purpose organization with the capabilities needed for our next stage of growth. Their collective experience will be invaluable as we execute on our strategy and prepare for potential registration and commercialization."

Aura also announced that Tony Gibney, Chief Financial and Business Officer and Conor Kilroy, Chief Legal Officer are stepping down, and Mark Plavsic has stepped down as Chief Technology Officer.

"On behalf of the Board and the entire Aura team, I want to thank Tony, Conor and Mark for their leadership and contributions to Aura," said Natalie Holles. "Each has played an important role in advancing the Company and positioning Aura for this next chapter, and we wish them all the very best in their future endeavors."

Susan Abu-Absi, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer

Susan Abu-Absi, Ph.D., is a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning technical development, manufacturing, quality and global operations. Most recently, she served as Chief Operating Officer at Be Biopharma, where she led the company’s operational strategy and execution. Prior to Be Biopharma, she was Chief Technology Officer at 2seventy bio, leading technical development, supply and quality and supporting the commercialization of Abecma as well as the advancement of multiple cell therapy programs. Previously, Susan held senior leadership roles at bluebird bio, where she played an integral role in the approvals of Zynteglo and Skysona, and at Bristol Myers Squibb and Bayer Healthcare. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo.

Erica Kratz, Ph.D., Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer

Erica Kratz, Ph.D., is a regulatory affairs and quality executive with more than 20 years of experience leading global regulatory strategy and development quality across the biotechnology industry. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Head of Development Quality Assurance at Denali Therapeutics, where she built and led the team from the company’s first clinical trial through the advancement of multiple programs into the clinic, including the BLA submission and FDA approval of Avlayah in Hunter Syndrome. Prior to Denali, Erica spent a decade at Genentech, where she led global regulatory strategy for multiple oncology programs spanning early development through commercialization, including U.S. and Canadian marketing applications for Herceptin in gastric cancer. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Arizona.

Julie Person, Chief People Officer

Julie Person is a human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience leading people strategy and organizational development across the biopharmaceutical industry. Most recently, she served as Chief People Officer at Vera Therapeutics. Prior to Vera, Julie served as Chief People Officer at Third Harmonic Bio and held senior human resources leadership roles at Neumora Therapeutics, Audentes Therapeutics, Sangamo Therapeutics, Shire, Blue Shield of California and McKesson. Her experience spans organizational design, talent acquisition, leadership development, culture and change management, supporting organizations through all stages of growth from early development to commercialization. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

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As of June 30, 2026, Aura had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $323.8 million. The Company believes its current cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are sufficient to fund its operations into 1H 2029.

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Research and development expenses increased to $30.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026 from $22.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to ongoing clinical and CRO costs associated with the progression of the CoMpass global Phase 3 trial of bel-sar in early choroidal melanoma and manufacturing and development costs for bel-sar.
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General and administrative expenses increased to $17.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026 from $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025. General and administrative expenses include $10.3 million and $1.8 million of stock-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by increased stock-based compensation expense resulting from equity award modifications in connection with executive leadership transitions, as well as higher professional fees.

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Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was $45.6 million compared to $27.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025.

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In connection with the Company’s organizational restructuring to align resources behind its ocular oncology portfolio, the Company estimates to incur restructuring charges of approximately $2.9 million to $3.2 million, comprised of employee termination benefits which include severance, continuation of health care benefits, and outplacement services as well as incremental stock-based compensation expense resulting from the acceleration of vesting of certain stock-based awards. The restructuring plan is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

(Press release, Aura Biosciences, AUG 11, 2026, View Source [SID1234669941])