Ipsen completes acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, strengthening late-stage Oncology pipeline

On August 21, 2026 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported it has completed the acquisition of Kartos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company adding late-stage MDM2 inhibitor navtemadlin in Phase III clinical development in myelofibrosis.

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About navtemadlin
Navtemadlin is an investigational oral MDM2 inhibitor being developed as an add-on therapy to ruxolitinib for patients with myelofibrosis who have a suboptimal response to ruxolitinib. The Phase III POIESIS study is evaluating whether the addition of navtemadlin could improve clinical outcomes compared with ruxolitinib alone in this patient population. Early clinical data demonstrate navtemadlin has the potential to transform suboptimal responses to standard of care ruxolitinib into clinically meaningful responses in patients with intermediate and high risk TP53wt myelofibrosis, to provide both enhanced clinical outcomes and potential disease-modifying benefit.

About myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm, frequently linked to alterations in the JAK/STAT pathway, in which patients develop bone marrow fibrosis due to the abnormal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and secretion of fibrogenic cytokines. As marrow function declines, blood production shifts to other organs, most often the spleen, leading to splenomegaly. Myelofibrosis is characterized by bone marrow failure, fibrosis, splenomegaly and a high symptom burden that can significantly affect quality of life, including fatigue, night sweats and other progressive symptoms. It also carries a risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. The median age at diagnosis is approximately 67–69 years and the condition affects around 1.5 per 100,000 people in the U.S. and Europe. Approximately 75–89% of patients are intermediate- or high-risk at diagnosis and more than 95% are TP53wt. Ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, is the first-line standard of care; however, it is estimated that a significant proportion of patients have an initial suboptimal response and approximately 50%-75% discontinue treatment after three years. Median overall survival is typically one to two years after treatment discontinuation, underscoring the need for new strategies that can increase the number of patients that can achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

(Press release, Ipsen, AUG 21, 2026, View Source [SID1234670270])

Radiopharm Theranostics Receives Positive Recommendation from Data Safety and Monitoring Committee to Advance to Cohort 4 in 177Lu-RAD202 Phase 1 HEAT Clinical Trial

On August 20, 2026 Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX: RAD, Nasdaq: RADX, "Radiopharm" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oncology radiopharmaceuticals for areas of high unmet medical need, reported that it has received a positive recommendation from the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee (DSMC) to advance its clinical-stage radiotherapeutic asset, 177Lu-RAD202 (RAD202), to the next dose level of 180mCi in the Phase 1 ‘HEAT’ clinical trial in patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced solid tumors1. The DSMC is a multidisciplinary committee that conducts detailed reviews of study data, discusses potential safety events and provides recommendations regarding trial continuation.

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"Advancing RAD202 into Cohort 4 marks a significant step forward in the development of one of our most promising therapeutic candidates," said Riccardo Canevari, CEO and Managing Director of Radiopharm Theranostics. "The DSMC’s recommendation supports the favorable safety profile observed to date and allows us to continue evaluating higher dose levels in patients with HER2-positive advanced solid tumors. As we execute on our clinical development strategy, we remain focused on unlocking the full potential of RAD202 and generating meaningful data that could support a differentiated radiotherapeutic option for HER2-positive patients in need of new treatment alternatives."

The Phase 1 ‘HEAT’ study is currently being conducted at clinical centers across Australia. The announcement of the previous dose level in this study of 130mCi was released on 8 April 2026.

About 177Lu-RAD202:

RAD202 is a proprietary single-domain monoclonal antibody (sdAb) that targets the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive expression in advanced solid tumors. HER2 is overexpressed in breast cancer and several other solid tumors and represents a validated target in oncology. In a previous diagnostic study of ten HER2-positive breast cancer patients, RAD202 demonstrated clinical proof-of-concept and had positive safety and biodistribution.

(Press release, Radiopharm Theranostics, AUG 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234670267])

Adagene to Participate in Three Upcoming Investor Conferences

On August 20, 2026 Adagene Inc. (Nasdaq: ADAG) a platform-driven, clinical-stage biotechnology company transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapies, reported that senior management will participate in three upcoming investor conferences taking place in New York, New York.

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2026 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference; New York, NY – September 9-11, 2026

Format: 1×1 Meetings
Date/Time: September 11, 2026
Morgan Stanley 24th Annual Global Healthcare Conference; New York, NY – September 14-16, 2026

Format: Fireside Chat and 1×1 Meetings
Fireside Chat Date/Time: September 15, 2026, 10:45–11:20 AM (Eastern Time)
H.C. Wainwright 28th Annual Global Investment Conference; New York, NY – September 14-16, 2026

Format: Fireside Chat and 1×1 Meetings
Fireside Chat Date/Time: September 16, 2026, 9:00–9:30 AM (Eastern Time)
If you are interested in meeting with Adagene management during the conferences, please reach out to your representative for each respective conference.

Webcasts of the fireside chats will be accessible in the Investors section of the Company’s website at View Source for at least 30 days following each of the conferences.

(Press release, Adagene, AUG 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234670266])

Artelo Biosciences Secures Notice of Allowance in Japan for Patent Claims for the Intended Commercial Formulation of ART27.13

On August 20, 2026 Artelo Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTL) ("Artelo" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on modulating lipid-signalling pathways to develop treatments for people living with cancer, pain, dermatologic, or neurological conditions, reported that the Japanese Patent Office has issued a notification of allowance with a Decision to Grant for the Company’s patent application covering the intended commercial formulation of ART27.13, Artelo’s peripherally selective dual cannabinoid agonist currently being evaluated in two Phase 2 clinical trials.

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The allowed claims in Japan protect compositions of ART27.13 dispersed in polyethylene glycol. These claims are consistent with those previously allowed in the United States and Europe, and all jurisdictions are expected to provide patent protection through 2041. This brings Artelo’s intellectual property estate for ART27.13 to issued or allowance status in three major pharmaceutical markets, the United States, Japan, and Europe, and further strengthens the program’s global IP position while supporting its long-term commercial potential.

"Receiving this allowance decision in Japan represents another important advancement in our global intellectual property and clinical development strategy for ART27.13," said Gregory D. Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artelo Biosciences. "The innovator of our investigational drug, AstraZeneca, previously conducted a Phase 1 safety study with ART27.13 in Japan, with no major safety or tolerability concerns, and had concluded the plasma exposure and adverse event profiles were comparable between Japanese and Caucasian participants." ART27.13 was fully licensed to Artelo in 2019.

Currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 portion of CAReS targeting cancer-related anorexia, ART27.13 was well-tolerated in the Phase 1 stage and showed early signs of stabilizing or reversing weight loss in more than 60% of participants. Interim results from the CAReS Phase 2 demonstrated the ability of the drug to reverse cancer-related anorexia in all patients taking the highest dose of 1300 µg whereas the all the participants on placebo continued to lose weight throughout the study.

ART27.13 is also being evaluated in the DREAM study, a pilot Phase 2 in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Funded by Glaucoma UK and the HSC R&D Division in the UK, the investigator-led study is evaluating ART27.13’s potential at a 600 µg orally administered daily dose to reduce intraocular pressure, alongside additional assessments of visual acuity, body weight, mood, safety and tolerability. Initial results are anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year.

"With allowances now secured in the United States, Europe and Japan for claims covering our intended commercial formulation, we believe we have established a strong foundation for ART27.13 across three of the world’s major pharmaceutical markets. This growing patent estate further enhances the strategic and commercial value of the program as ART27.13 advances in multiple potential indications," concluded Mr. Gorgas.

About ART27.13
ART27.13 is a dual cannabinoid agonist and novel benzimidazole derivative. Initially developed by AstraZeneca plc, ART27.13 has been in over seven clinical studies with nearly 300 participants. It is primarily being developed as a once-daily, orally administered agent selectively targeting peripheral CB1 and CB2 receptors, with the potential to reduce muscle degeneration while improving body weight, appetite, and quality of life in cancer patients. Importantly, the drug enables systemic metabolic effects while minimizing central nervous system-mediated toxicity. Artelo is conducting a Phase 2 named the Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) evaluating ART27.13 as a supportive care therapy for cancer patients suffering from anorexia and weight loss. Interim Phase 2 data revealed patients who had lost at least 5% of body weight to be included in CAReS and titrated to the highest ART27.13 dose (1300 µg) achieved an average +6% weight gain over 12 weeks, while patients on placebo lost an additional ~5%. Currently, there is no FDA approved treatment for cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome. In addition to CAReS, ART27.13 is also being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in people with glaucoma, called the DREAM study. In DREAM, ART27.13 is administered orally at a daily dose of 600 µg.

(Press release, Artelo Biosciences, AUG 20, 2026, View Source [SID1234670265])

RenovoRx Receives Notice of Allowance for New U.S. Patent Covering RenovoCath®, an Advanced Dual-Occlusion Catheter, for Targeted Therapeutic Drug-Delivery for Cancer Treatment

On August 20, 2026 RenovoRx, Inc. ("RenovoRx" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: RNXT), a life-sciences company developing innovative targeted oncology therapies and commercializing RenovoCath, a patented, FDA-cleared drug-delivery device, reported that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for the Company’s patent application (U.S. Application No. 18/184,620) titled "Methods and Apparatuses for Delivery of Therapeutic Materials for the Treatment of Cancer."

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Once issued, this patent will strengthen RenovoRx’s growing U.S. intellectual property portfolio, reinforcing the Company’s differentiated approach to targeted, local drug-delivery, and broadening protection for its TAMP (Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion) platform and RenovoCath device.

The newly allowed application further strengthens RenovoRx’s expanding intellectual property portfolio and provides additional patent protection for RenovoCath, an advanced dual-occlusion catheter, designed to deliver cancer therapies directly to targeted tumor sites. The technology is intended to improve the precision and effectiveness of localized therapies while reducing systemic exposure and treatment related side effects compared with conventional drug delivery. The claims allowed cover RenovoCath’s proprietary catheter system, which includes a primary catheter, multiple ports, and expandable occlusion balloons that seal a segment of a blood vessel to create a controlled treatment zone. A secondary catheter can be advanced through the primary catheter into a branching vessel, allowing highly selective access to adjacent vasculature. This configuration enables clinicians to guide both catheters with dedicated guidewires and establish precisely controlled fluid pathways for targeted delivery, further reinforcing RenovoCath’s differentiated technology platform and strengthening its competitive position in precision oncology.

"This Notice of Allowance underscores the continued innovation driving our proprietary TAMP platform and further strengthens the intellectual property foundation supporting RenovoCath and our commercialization strategy," said Shaun Bagai, Chief Executive Officer of RenovoRx. "By extending protection, we are enhancing our competitive differentiation, broadening the potential applications of our platform, and reinforcing our long-term innovation strategy."

Mr. Bagai continued, "Our robust and growing intellectual property portfolio is an important asset as we advance our commercialization of RenovoCath as a standalone device and support our ongoing Phase III TIGeR-PaC clinical trial. Each new allowance further validates the innovative mechanism behind our proprietary TAMP platform and its potential to address limitations of both conventional systemic and local therapeutic drug-delivery."

With this allowance, RenovoRx’s global intellectual property portfolio now includes 20 issued or allowed patents, along, with 13 pending patents, directed to its TAMP platform and RenovoCath device. RenovoRx continues to grow and protect this portfolio in support of its commercialization strategy, including potential partnerships and licensing opportunities.

(Press release, Renovorx, AUG 20, 2026, https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/20/3348338/0/en/renovorx-receives-notice-of-allowance-for-new-u-s-patent-covering-renovocath-an-advanced-dual-occlusion-catheter-for-targeted-therapeutic-drug-delivery-for-cancer-treatment.html [SID1234670264])