On April 1, 2025 Vivesto AB, an oncology-focused development company, reported that positive preclinical efficacy data was obtained in an animal model of hematological cancer (Press release, Vivesto, APR 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234651725]). The results support continued development of the candidate drug Cantrixil within this indication and are in line with previous positive preclinical data.

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The experimental trial demonstrates, for the first time, that Cantrixil can reduce tumor growth and increase survival times in a well-established mouse model of hematological cancer. The treatment was well tolerated and safe.

"This is a significant milestone for the Cantrixil program. Obtaining positive efficacy data in vivo is not only important from a regulatory perspective, but it is also imperative in the development path towards showing potential benefits of Cantrixil in hematological cancer also in patients. Importantly, the treatment was also well tolerated. With these new results we are increasingly confident that Cantrixil can make a significant impact to patients and as well as build shareholder value," said Erik Kinnman, CEO of Vivesto.

With the new positive data, Vivesto is continuing the planning of activities needed to bring Cantrixil into clinical trials and in parallel will investigate opportunities to partner the project in order to optimize the development program.

On April 1, 2025 Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: ABEO) reported it has granted equity awards to new non-executive employees who joined the Company (Press release, Abeona Therapeutics, APR 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234651709]). The equity awards were approved in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

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On March 31, 2025, the Compensation Committee of Abeona’s Board of Directors granted restricted stock equity awards as a material inducement to employment to six individuals hired by Abeona, which equity awards relate to, in the aggregate, up to 23,700 restricted shares of Abeona common stock. One-third of the shares subject to such restricted stock awards will vest yearly on each anniversary of the Grant Date, such that the shares subject to such restricted stock awards granted to each employee will be fully vested on the third anniversary of the Grant Date, in each case, subject to each employee’s continued employment with Abeona on the applicable vesting dates.

On April 1, 2025 TAE Life Sciences (TLS), a leader in next-generation Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) solutions, reported a distribution agreement with alphaXRT, a premier provider of advanced radiation therapy technologies (Press release, TAE Life Sciences, APR 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234651727]). Under this partnership, alphaXRT will distribute TAE Life Sciences’ Alphabeam BNCT system and novel boron drugs, while also providing associated services across Australia and New Zealand.

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As part of the agreement, alphaXRT will hold the regulatory certificate for BNCT in the region, ensuring compliance with local medical and regulatory standards. This collaboration will expand access to BNCT, offering patients with difficult-to-treat cancers an innovative and targeted radiation therapy option.

"This agreement with alphaXRT marks a significant step forward in making BNCT more accessible to patients in Australia and New Zealand," said Rob Hill, CEO of TAE Life Sciences. "With alphaXRT’s deep expertise in radiation oncology and regulatory affairs, we are confident that this partnership will drive adoption and establish BNCT as a key treatment modality in the region."

The Alphabeam BNCT system is a cutting-edge accelerator-based neutron source designed to deliver safe, effective, and precisely targeted radiation therapy. By leveraging boron-10 drugs, BNCT enables selective tumor destruction while preserving surrounding healthy tissue—making it a promising option for patients with recurrent or treatment-resistant cancers.

"TAE Life Sciences is at the forefront of BNCT innovation, and we are thrilled to be their distributor in Australia and New Zealand," said Richard Neale, Managing Director of alphaXRT. "We look forward to working closely with hospitals and cancer treatment centers to bring this transformative therapy to more patients."

This partnership further underscores TAE Life Sciences’ commitment to expanding global access to BNCT and advancing the future of radiation oncology.

On April 2, 2025 Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRSN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting cancers in areas of high unmet medical need, reported that Phase 1 dose escalation and backfill cohort clinical data for emiltatug ledadotin (Emi-Le; XMT-1660) will be presented in an oral session at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Breast Cancer 2025 Annual Congress, which is being held from May 14-17, 2025, in Munich, Germany (Press release, Mersana Therapeutics, APR 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234651761]).

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Oral Presentation Details

Title: Clinical Activity of Emiltatug Ledadotin (Emi-Le), a B7-H4-Directed ADC, in Patients with TNBC who Received at Least One Prior Topoisomerase-1 Inhibitor (Topo-1) ADC

Session Title: Mini Oral Session 1

Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 8:30-10:00 a.m. CEST

Abstract Number: 298MO

Presenter: Erika Hamilton, M.D., Director Breast Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, Tennessee

About Emi-Le
Emi-Le is a B7-H4-directed Dolasynthen ADC with a precise, target-optimized drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR 6) and a proprietary auristatin payload with controlled bystander effect. This candidate is being investigated in a Phase 1 dose escalation and expansion trial in patients with solid tumors, including breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers as well as adenoid cystic carcinoma type 1. In the initial clinical data that were reported as of a December 13, 2024 data cutoff, Emi-Le was observed to be generally well tolerated with differentiated safety and tolerability profile. Additionally, confirmed objective responses were observed across all enrolled tumor types, including in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) who had previously been treated with a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor (topo-1) ADC.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted two Fast Track designations to Emi-Le for the treatment of 1) adult patients with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and 2) advanced or metastatic breast cancer in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH–) or HER2-negative (IHC 0) disease, including TNBC, who have received a prior topo-1 ADC. For more information about Mersana’s ongoing Phase 1 trial of Emi-Le, please visit clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05377996).

On April 1, 2025 Anixa Biosciences, Inc. ("Anixa" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ANIX), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer, reported its participation in the Jones Las Vegas Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference, to be held on April 8-9, 2025, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada (Press release, Anixa Biosciences, APR 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234651710]).

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Mike Catelani, President and CFO of Anixa, will deliver a presentation and be available for one-on-one meetings during the conference.

Details of the presentation are as follows:

Event: Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference
Date: April 9, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM PT
Location: The Venetian Resort
Webcast: View Source

The Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference will bring together a select group of innovative companies and institutional investors for a two-day event. The conference will be focused on one-on-one (1×1) meetings, fireside chats, panels, presentations, and signature networking events. Organized by Jones, with marketing support from B2i Digital, Inc., the event offers an opportunity for direct dialogue between senior company executives and investors seeking engagement with innovative management teams.

For more information, a list of participating companies and to submit registration requests about the Jones Las Vegas Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference, visit their B2i Digital Featured Conference page.