On August 13, 2026 Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX), an oncology biotechnology company developing antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with a novel payload targeting RNA splicing, reported financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2026 and provided an update on the continued advancement of its lead ADC candidate, AKTX-101, towards Phase 1 clinical trials.

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"Akari entered the second half of 2026 with increasing momentum across the business and a clear focus on advancing AKTX-101 towards the clinic," said Abizer Gaslightwala, Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics. "We are executing the IND-enabling work required to support our planned Phase 1 trial in mid-2027, while continuing to generate data that strengthen the scientific rationale for AKTX-101 and further differentiate our novel PH1 spliceosome-modulating payload."

Mr. Gaslightwala continued, "The compelling data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) demonstrated synergistic anti-tumor activity when our PH1 payload was combined with an approved KRAS inhibitor in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer models, adding to a growing body of preclinical evidence supporting PH1’s differentiated mechanism and potential utility across difficult-to-treat cancers. At the same time, our collaboration with Whitehawk expands the opportunity for PH1 into dual-payload ADCs and provides another avenue to explore the potential advantages of combining PH1’s unique mechanism with established ADC payload technologies. Importantly, receipt of approximately $8 million of financing during the quarter, led by long-term strategic investors, strengthened our balance sheet and enhances our ability to continue executing against these development priorities."

Second Quarter 2026 Highlights

Strengthened the balance sheet through private placement with $5.5 million in gross proceeds, and warrant exercises worth $3.1 million in gross proceeds for a total of approximately $8.6 million in gross proceeds from financing in the quarter, resulting in approximately $8.0 million of net proceeds to the Company.
Continued advancing AKTX-101 through IND-enabling activities by progressing manufacturing and development work to enable the Phase 1 clinical trial. The Company remains focused on initiating AKTX-101 for clinical development in mid-2027.
Expanded the Company’s strategic position in novel ADC payloads through a research collaboration on dual ADC payloads with Whitehawk Therapeutics to evaluate Akari’s proprietary PH1 spliceosome modulating payload platform in combination with Whitehawk’s topoisomerase I payload platform. The collaboration is designed to investigate the potential of combining complementary ADC payload technologies to synergize and enhance anti-tumor activity. This collaboration further demonstrates the unique potential of the PH1 payload and continued strong interest in ADC payload innovation across biotech/pharma.
Presented breakthrough preclinical data at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting demonstrating synergistic anti-tumor activity of the Company’s PH1 spliceosome modulating payload combined with an approved KRAS inhibitor in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer models. These data support the potential of using ADCs with the PH1 payload as a way to attack KRAS mutant tumors, still one of the greatest unmet needs.
Expanded the Company’s intellectual property portfolio through newly issued international patents for its proprietary PH1 spliceosome modulating payload technology, further strengthening long-term protection of the platform and supporting future ADC pipeline expansion.
Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared with $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2025. The increase primarily reflects expanded development and manufacturing activities supporting the advancement of AKTX-101 through critical IND enabling activities.

General and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2026, comparable with $2.5 million for the same period in 2025.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2026 was $4.8 million, compared with $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2025.

Cash totaled $7.7 million as of June 30, 2026, compared with $5.2 million as of December 31, 2025.

(Press release, Akari Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2026, View Source [SID1234670059])