On December 9, 2025 Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:APVO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immune-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX platform technologies, reported preliminary results from its ongoing Phase 1b/2 RAINIER study evaluating mipletamig, a CD123 x CD3 bispecific molecule, in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax (AZA/VEN) for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. The data were presented on December 8, 2025, in a poster session at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

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Across dose-optimization Cohorts 1-3, mipletamig combined with AZA/VEN demonstrated high remission rates and a compelling safety/tolerability profile, reinforcing the potential of T-cell engagement in frontline AML when safety can be effectively managed. Aptevo’s proprietary use of the CRIS-7-derived CD3 binding domain differentiates mipletamig in the category.

Key Findings

100% of treated patients remained free of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) across cohorts to date

93% overall response rate (ORR) among evaluable patients

87% achieved CR/CRi*

73% achieved CR

60% of MRD evaluable CR/CRi patients achieved minimum residual disease negative status, a result that is typically associated with stronger, more durable responses

43% of ORR patients had a TP53 genetic mutation, a marker that is typically associated with poor prognosis in AML patients

*Remission = complete remission (CR) and, complete remission with blood markers that have not yet recovered (CRi).

Median patient age was 75, reflecting a population that is underserved by intensive therapies. In the RAINIER trial to date, the triplet regimen was generally well tolerated. Infusion-related reactions and hematologic events were the most common adverse events, consistent with expectations for this patient population. Importantly, no CRS was seen, supporting the molecule’s differentiated safety profile in combination therapy.

"These data, particularly the remission rates and absence of CRS, underscore the promise of mipletamig as part of a frontline AML regimen," said Dirk Huebner, MD, Chief Medical Officer. "We are encouraged by the safety and efficacy profile we are seeing across cohorts, and we look forward to advancing the program into later-stage evaluation."

The RAINIER study continues to enroll patients across additional dose levels. Mipletamig’s design leverages Aptevo’s ADAPTIR platform to deliver targeted T-cell engagement with the goal of minimizing systemic immune activation-an important factor in realizing the full therapeutic potential of T-cell engagers in AML.

About the RAINIER Trial
RAINIER, a frontline AML study, is a Phase 1b/2 dose optimization, multi-center, multi-cohort, open label study. Subjects are adults aged 18 or older, newly diagnosed with AML who are not eligible for intensive induction chemotherapy. RAINIER will be conducted in two parts. First, a Phase 1b dose optimization study in frontline AML patients followed by a Phase 2 study. The Phase 1b trial consists of 28-day cycles of treatment across multiple, sequential cohorts.

About Mipletamig
Aptevo’s wholly owned lead proprietary drug candidate, mipletamig, being evaluated for the treatment of AML, is differentiated by design to redirect the immune system of the patient to destroy leukemic cells and leukemic stem cells expressing the target antigen CD123, which is a compelling target for AML due to its overexpression on leukemic stem cells and AML blasts. This antibody-like recombinant protein therapeutic is designed to engage both leukemic cells and T cells of the immune system and bring them closely together to trigger the destruction of leukemic cells. Mipletamig is purposefully designed to reduce the likelihood and severity of CRS by use of the CRIS-7-derived CD3 binding pathway an approach that differentiates Aptevo from competitors. Mipletamig has received orphan drug designation ("orphan status") for AML according to the Orphan Drug Act. Orphan drug designation provides key advantages-including the opportunity to seek U.S. market exclusivity for a specific period of time upon approval, FDA fee reductions, and access to development and tax credits. Mipletamig has been evaluated in more than 100 patients over three trials to date.

(Press release, Aptevo Therapeutics, DEC 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234661321])

On December 9, 2025 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported the issuance of U.S. Patent 12,492,253, which covers Xencor’s Xtend Fc domain for extending the half-life of antibodies targeting C5, with a term that extends into December 2028. The new patent term is approximately three years longer than the previous latest-to-expire U.S. patent covering the Xtend Fc domain.

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Xencor now anticipates receiving low-single digit royalties on net sales of Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz), an anti-C5 antibody engineered with a licensed Xtend Fc domain, into December 2028 in the United States. Ultomiris is a drug being developed and commercialized by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and is a registered trademark of Alexion. Xencor has also previously secured regulatory extensions of exclusivity in several EU countries, Japan and Australia.

"Xencor’s Xtend antibody half-life extension technology is one of several modular XmAb Fc domains that power Xencor’s XmAb medicines and drug candidates across internal and partner portfolios," said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Xencor. "Importantly, this patent term extension also extends the U.S. royalty term for Ultomiris by approximately three years. We anticipate the resulting additional revenue will support our internal pipeline as it advances into later stages of clinical development and will drive further innovation across our portfolio, continuing to fuel the cycle of value creation that has been central to our strategy."

In 2023, OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, acquired royalties due to Xencor on global Ultomiris sales subject to annual caps beginning in 2026. For potential sales related to Ultomiris occurring between 2026 and 2028, OMERS is entitled to receive up to $35 million annually with excess reverting to Xencor. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, Xencor recognized non-cash royalty revenue of $51.0 million. Based upon consensus sales forecasts of Ultomiris, Xencor estimates recognizing potential royalty revenue in excess of the caps in the range of $100 million to $120 million in aggregate for the extended patent term through 2028.

(Press release, Xencor, DEC 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234661320])

On December 9, 2025 Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE)(the "Company" or "Pulse Biosciences"), a company leveraging its novel nPulse technology using its proprietary Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nanosecond PFA or nsPFA) energy, reported a research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to examine the use of the Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System for treatment of thyroid cancers. The Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) submitted for this first-in-human clinical feasibility study has been approved by the FDA.

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Under the agreement, MD Anderson researchers led by Victoria Banuchi, M.D., Associate Professor of Head & Neck Surgery, will conduct a clinical study to assess the safety and effectiveness of using nPulse technology to treat papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, a common cancer affecting hundreds of thousands of US patients. The trial is planned to commence early in 2026. The study will be conducted at two sites and is planned to enroll 30 subjects. Under an existing material transfer agreement, preclinical studies with MD Anderson researchers are ongoing to assess the effect of nsPFA energy on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. With a five-year survival rate of less than 5%, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is one of the deadliest types of cancer.

"We believe the nonthermal mechanism of action of nsPFA, which limits scarring, fibrosis, and damage to critical surrounding structures, positions our nPulse technology as potentially the ideal treatment for benign and malignant thyroid tumors. We look forward to carrying this collaborative work forward to evaluate how our game-changing technology may benefit these patients," said Paul LaViolette, Co-Chairman and CEO of Pulse Biosciences.

About the Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System

The Company’s nPulse Vybrance Percutaneous Electrode System consists of a percutaneous needle electrode for use with the Company’s proprietary nPulse Console. The novel electrode is designed to harness and deliver the key advantages of nsPFA energy, enabling precise, nonthermal removal of cellular tissue without damage to noncellular structures or inducing thermal necrosis. The system has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for use in the ablation of soft tissue in percutaneous and intraoperative surgical procedures. This proprietary system is designed for non-cardiac applications.

(Press release, Pulse Biosciences, DEC 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234661319])

On December 9, 2025 PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB) ("PDS Biotech" or the "Company"), a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers, reported that the Japan Patent Office has issued Patent No. 7783866 for PDS0101 granting broad composition of matter and methods of use claims. The new patent expands previously granted patents in Japan, and adds to the Company’s robust intellectual property estate, which includes previously granted patents in the United States, China, Australia, and Hong Kong. The Company has additional patent applications pending in several other countries. Together with anticipated biologics exclusivity in the United States, the Company has patent and market protections for PDS0101 into the 2040s.

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The incidence of HPV16-related cancers is rapidly increasing in the US and Europe and also increasing globally.* PDS0101 is currently being studied in the Company’s Phase 3 trial for PDS0101 + pembrolizumab in HPV16-positive recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.

"The issuance of an additional patent for PDS0101 in Japan further strengthens our global IP portfolio and reinforces the robust intellectual property position supporting our growth. This marks an important step in protecting the value of our innovative immunotherapies as we advance our pipeline worldwide." said Frank Bedu-Addo, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotechnology.

The Company intends to continue to advance broad intellectual property protections for PDS0101 and its other investigational agents in development.

(Press release, PDS Biotechnology, DEC 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234661318])

On December 9, 2025 Novartis reported positive results from VAYHIT2, a Phase III trial evaluating ianalumab plus eltrombopag in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) previously treated with corticosteroids1-3. Ianalumab (9 mg/kg) plus eltrombopag extended ITP disease control by 45%, based on the primary endpoint of time to treatment failure (TTF), which assesses how long patients maintain safe platelet levels during and after the treatment period1,2. The median time to treatment failure for patients receiving ianalumab plus eltrombopag was 2.8 times longer than those on placebo plus eltrombopag (13.0 months vs. 4.7 months)1,2.

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Detailed data will be presented during the Late-Breaking Abstract Session at the 67th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine1,2.

"Treatments for ITP have historically focused on raising platelet counts, often requiring chronic therapy to control ITP. This means many patients remain on treatment long-term, facing persistent disease burden and symptoms like fatigue," said Hanny Al-Samkari, M.D., Peggy S. Blitz Endowed Chair in Hematology/Oncology, Mass General Brigham, and Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. "The VAYHIT2 trial results are encouraging, as they demonstrated improved disease control even while patients spend time off treatment, pointing toward possible progress for people living with ITP."

Patients receiving ianalumab (9 mg/kg) plus eltrombopag also achieved a significantly higher rate of sustained platelet count improvement at six months versus placebo plus eltrombopag (62% vs. 39%), meeting the key secondary endpoint1,2. Fatigue improvement, as measured by PROMIS Fatigue, showed a mean reduction of 7.7 points with ianalumab plus eltrombopag versus 3.6 points with placebo plus eltrombopag1,2.

"B cells drive the autoimmune response that leads to platelet destruction and increased bleeding risk in ITP. The novel dual mechanism of action of ianalumab aims to deplete B cells while blocking their survival signals," said Mark Rutstein, M.D., Global Head, Oncology Development, Novartis. "Guided by our decades-long experience advancing ITP care, the VAYHIT2 findings underscore the potential of ianalumab to deliver durable control with a short course of four once-monthly doses, offering patients the possibility of achieving disease stability without ongoing treatment."

Two doses of ianalumab were assessed in VAYHIT2 with ianalumab 9 mg/kg demonstrating statistically significant improvements across both the primary and key secondary endpoints, and ianalumab 3 mg/kg demonstrating statistically significant improvements in the primary endpoint and numerical improvements in the key secondary endpoint1-3.

Ianalumab 9 mg/kg + eltrombopag (N=50) Ianalumab 3 mg/kg + eltrombopag (N=51) Placebo + eltrombopag (N=51)
Primary endpoint: Time to treatment failure (TTF) 13.0 months
(HR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.92; p=0.021a) Not estimable
(HR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.98; p=0.023a) 4.7 months
Key secondary endpoint: Stable response at 6 months (SR6) 62.0%
(p=0.023a) 56.9%
(p=0.035a) 39.2%
a. Required p-value for statistical significance is one-sided <0.025

Ianalumab was well tolerated with no new safety signals, and the side effect profile was consistent with previous studies1,2. Adverse events were comparable between the ianalumab and placebo arms, with the most common AEs for ianalumab plus eltrombopag being headache (14% with 9 mg/kg, 10% with 3 mg/kg vs. 8% with placebo) and infusion-related reactions (14% with 9 mg/kg, 8% with 3 mg/kg vs. 8% with placebo)1,2. Neutropenia* occurred more frequently in the ianalumab groups (16% with 9 mg/kg, 12% with 3 mg/kg) compared to placebo (2%) with most cases resolving without requiring treatment or dose interruption1,2. No on-treatment adverse event led to permanent discontinuation of therapy1,2.

VAYHIT2 marks the third positive Phase III trial with ianalumab, following two positive trials in adults with active Sjögren’s disease1,4. Novartis plans to submit the data from VAYHIT2 along with results from the ongoing first-line ITP trial, VAYHIT1, in 2027. Ianalumab has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency5,6.

*An adverse event of special interest encompassing several terms related to low levels of neutrophils, neutrophil precursors and leukocytes

About ianalumab
Ianalumab (VAY736) is a novel fully human monoclonal antibody being investigated for its potential to treat various B cell-driven autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren’s disease, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus nephritis (LN), warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc)3,7-13. Its mechanism of action targets B cells in two ways, namely combining B cell depletion via antibody-dependent cellular toxicity (ADCC) and interruption of BAFF-R mediated signals of B cell function and survival8. In clinical trials, ianalumab showed promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in Sjögren’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and immune thrombocytopenia4,14-16. Ianalumab originates from an early collaboration with MorphoSys AG, a company which Novartis later acquired in 202417.

About primary immune thrombocytopenia
Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare, autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly targets and destroys platelets, the cells essential for blood clotting18. This can lead to symptoms such as prolonged bleeding, easy bruising and chronic fatigue, which can significantly impact daily life18,19.

Despite available treatments, many people living with ITP cycle through multiple therapies, unable to achieve long-term disease control20. Current options often focus on maintaining safe platelet levels and preventing bleeding complications and may require ongoing use20,21. The burden of chronic treatment and unpredictability of relapses can significantly impact quality of life19,22. There is a need for therapies that offer durable response while reducing the burden of long-term treatment23.

About VAYHIT2
VAYHIT2 (NCT05653219) is a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blind study evaluating the efficacy and safety of two different doses of ianalumab versus placebo, in addition to eltrombopag, in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (platelet count <30 G/L) who failed previous first-line treatment with corticosteroids3. Alongside eltrombopag, patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive four once-monthly intravenous infusions of ianalumab at 3 mg/kg, ianalumab at 9 mg/kg or placebo3. The primary endpoint was time to treatment failure, which is defined as the time from randomization until either: a platelet count of less than 30 G/L later than 8 weeks from randomization; the need for rescue therapy later than 8 weeks from randomization; initiation of a new ITP treatment at any time; ineligibility or inability to taper/discontinue eltrombopag; or death3. The key secondary endpoint is the percentage of patients with a stable platelet count response at Month 63. Other secondary endpoints include measures of depth and duration of platelet response as well as patient-reported outcomes that measure quality of life and fatigue, among other endpoints.

(Press release, Novartis, DEC 9, 2025, View Source [SID1234661317])