BostonGene and AstraZeneca Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Foundation Model-Driven Oncology Development

On January 6, 2026 BostonGene, the developer of the leading AI foundation model for tumor and immune biology, reported a strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, to advance oncology drug development using BostonGene’s multimodal AI platform.

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The collaboration leverages BostonGene’s foundation model for tumor and immune biology to deliver predictive insights on patient-level safety and efficacy outcomes in early clinical trials. AstraZeneca will apply BostonGene’s omnimodal analytics to accelerate development timelines and reducing risk across its oncology portfolio.

"BostonGene’s platform combines deep biological insights with advanced AI and this collaboration will empower us to predict which patients will benefit from treatment helping us design safer, more effective therapies from the start," said Jorge Reis-Filho, MD, PhD, Chief of AI for Science Innovation, Enterprise AI Unit, AstraZeneca. "At AstraZeneca, we are focused on leveraging the vast and unparalleled potential of AI to accelerate clinical development and the delivery of innovative medicines to patients."

The initiative marks another key milestone in the application of foundation models to real-world clinical development. BostonGene’s approach integrates pre-trained foundation models combined with advanced multi-modal data analytics, including cell-free RNA (cfRNA) and tumor microenvironment profiling, to predict response dynamics and tolerability across diverse patient populations, enabling more adaptive, biomarker-informed development.

"We’re honored to partner with AstraZeneca, a global leader in oncology innovation," said Andrew Feinberg, President and CEO at BostonGene. "This collaboration demonstrates the power of foundational biology and multi-modal molecular insights to reshape how we develop, de-risk, and deliver therapies to patients. It is a major step toward transforming drug development through AI."

BostonGene is actively deploying its foundation model alongside global biopharma partners to accelerate clinical programs across the oncology spectrum. By integrating these AI-driven insights into R&D pipelines, BostonGene is optimizing regulatory pathways and securing evidence for label expansion. This partnership with AstraZeneca underscores the transformative power of AI-powered profiling to transform oncology development at scale.

(Press release, BostonGene, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661785])

Exelixis to Present at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference on January 12, 2026

On January 6, 2026 Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) reported that Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide a corporate overview at the J.P. Morgan 2026 Healthcare Conference on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. PT / 8:15 p.m. ET.

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To access the webcast link, log onto www.exelixis.com and proceed to the Event Calendar page under the Investors & News heading. A replay will also be available at the same location for at least 30 days.

(Press release, Exelixis, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661754])

Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Poster Presentations at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2026

On January 6, 2026 Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of biologic therapy to treat solid tumor cancers and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), reported that the Company will participate in the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium 2026 taking place January 8-10, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Details of the posters are included below.

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First Poster Details:
Abstract Title: BXQ-350 efficacy and safety evaluation in first line mCRC patients: A phase 1b/2 study of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in combination with mFOLFOX7 plus bevacizumab in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: 242
Poster Board Number: K2
Session Title: Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Dr. Reema Patel

Second Poster Details:
Abstract Title: A phase 1b/2 study on the efficacy and safety of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in combination with mFOLFOX7 and bevacizumab in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: TPS273
Poster Board Number: L7
Session Title: Trials in Progress Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Dr. Tariq Arshad

Third Poster Details:
Abstract Title: Bxq-350 in combination with FOLFOX7 and bevacizumab: Evaluation of effect on oxaliplatin-induced CIPN—A phase 1b/2 trial to assess the efficacy and safety of BXQ-350, a first-in-class sphingolipid metabolism modulator, in newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
Abstract Number: 105
Poster Board Number: D17
Session Title: Poster Session C: Cancers of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus
Session Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Session Time: 7:00-7:55 AM
Presenter: Michael Gazda, Ph.D.
The abstracts are scheduled to be posted to the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI Online Program at 5 PM ET on Monday, January 6.

About BXQ-350
Bexion’s lead drug candidate is BXQ-350, a first-in-class biologic containing the multifunctional sphingolipid activator protein, Saposin C, and a phospholipid. Multiple Phase 1 clinical trials in adult and pediatric patients have demonstrated a robust safety profile for BXQ-350 with evidence of single agent activity across multiple solid tumor types. Additionally, other clinical and non-clinical data suggest BXQ-350 has activity in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, an area of high unmet medical need in patients treated with oxaliplatin and other chemotoxic agents.

(Press release, Bexion, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661770])

Summit Therapeutics to Present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 6, 2026 Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) ("Summit," "we," or the "Company") reported that it will participate in and present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, California, on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 9:45 AM PT. Robert W. Duggan, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Maky Zanganeh, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, will present a corporate overview and a new update on the progress of our organization, including the development of our innovative investigational bispecific antibody, ivonescimab. Our leadership team will also participate in investor meetings during the conference.

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The presentation will be available live from our website: www.smmttx.com. An archived version of the presentation will be available on our website following the presentation.

About Ivonescimab

Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in Summit’s license territories, North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Japan, and as AK112 outside of Summit’s license territories, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. By design, ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity to PD-1 when in the presence of VEGF.

This is intended to differentiate ivonescimab as there is potentially higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal tissue in the body. We believe ivonescimab’s specifically engineered tetravalent structure (four binding sites) enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) in the TME (Zhong, et al, SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), 2023). This tetravalent structure, the intentional novel design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody with cooperative binding qualities have the potential to direct ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue. The intent of this design, together with a half-life of 6 to 7 days after the first dose (Zhong, et al, SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), 2023) increasing to approximately 10 days at steady state dosing, is to improve upon previously established efficacy thresholds, in addition to side effects and safety profiles associated with prior approved targets.

Ivonescimab was engineered by Akeso Inc. (HKEX Code: 9926.HK) and is currently engaged in multiple Phase III clinical trials. Over 3,000 patients have been treated with ivonescimab in clinical studies globally, and over 40,000 patients when considering those treated in a commercial setting in China as noted by Akeso.

Summit began its clinical development of ivonescimab in NSCLC, commencing enrollment in 2023 in two multiregional Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi and HARMONi-3. In 2025, the Company began enrolling patients in HARMONi-7. Summit expanded its Phase III clinical development program into CRC in the fourth quarter of 2025 by initiating enrollment in HARMONi-GI3.

HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial which intends to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who were previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib). Enrollment in HARMONi was completed in the second half of 2024, and top-line results were announced in May of 2025, with detailed results provided in September 2025.

HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic, squamous or non-squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-GI3 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy compared with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in patients with first-line unresectable metastatic CRC.

In addition, Akeso has recently had positive read-outs in three single-region (China), randomized Phase III clinical trials, HARMONi-A, HARMONi-2, and HARMONi-6, for ivonescimab in NSCLC, including a statistically significant overall survival benefit in HARMONi-A.

HARMONi-A was a Phase III clinical trial which evaluated ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR TKI.

HARMONi-2 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating monotherapy ivonescimab against monotherapy pembrolizumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have positive PD-L1 expression.

HARMONi-6 is a Phase III clinical trial evaluating ivonescimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy compared with tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC, irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

Akeso is actively conducting multiple Phase III clinical studies in settings outside of NSCLC, including biliary tract cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, small cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer.

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy that is not approved by any regulatory authority in Summit’s license territories, including the United States and Europe. Ivonescimab was initially approved for marketing authorization in China in May 2024. Ivonescimab was granted Fast Track designation by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the HARMONi clinical trial setting.

(Press release, Summit Therapeutics, JAN 6, 2026, View Source [SID1234661786])

Ascendis Pharma to Participate in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 5, 2026 Ascendis Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ASND) reported that company executives will participate in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and provide a business update on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time in San Francisco, California.

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available via the Investors & News section of the Ascendis Pharma website at investors.ascendispharma.com. A webcast replay will also be available on this website shortly after conclusion of the event for 30 days.

(Press release, Ascendis Pharma, JAN 5, 2026, View Source [SID1234661708])